Bellarmine junior Braydon Hobbs, a New Albany graduate who in high school was recognized as a top prospect in the graduating Class of 2008, had 11 points, eight rebounds and two steals and surpassed the 1,000-point mark of his college career with 10:53 remaining in the first half of play, helping the host Knights beat conference rival Northern Kentucky 85-74 Thursday night.

Jeremy Kendle, a former Jeffersonville standout, paced the Knights with 22 points, and Providence graduate Justin Benedetti added 12.

The initial nationwide listing of boys and girls nominees for the 2011 McDonald’s All-American Games was released today. The list, which includes over 1,000 girls and boys players in consideration for the annual all-star game to be played March 30 in Chicago, will be narrowed down in the coming months to a final roster of 20 girls and 20 boys.

Here are nominees from the Southern Indiana region:

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Bedford North Lawrence is expected to challenge Jeffersonville this season for top honors in the Hoosier Hills Conference. The play of senior Braden Knight, alongside noted players Ryan Burton and Alex Pritchett, will likely be key to the Stars’ success.

HoosierHillsHoops.com: Bedford North Lawrence is expected to challenge for a conference and sectional title. Compared to recent seasons, is there a different feeling in the air this year about the Stars’ opportunity to succeed?

Knight: There’s a huge swirl going on. We have opened the season very well this year. It’s our best start since coach Hudson has been here, and we are all working hard day-in and day-out to get better.

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ELNORA — Barr-Reeve rallied in the waning seconds of the game to upend host North Daviess 38-37, rounding out a solid day of Southern Indiana hoops Tuesday at the Graber Post Buildings Holiday Classic.

Local Class 2-A powers, Brownstown and Forest Park, also were first-round winners, as was Springs Valley.

Top players

• Brownstown senior Spencer Allman, a 6-foot-3 guard, managed to score 20 points despite great defensive attention throughout the game from South Knox. Allman, who told us his recruitment is “wide open,” listed Southern Indiana and IU Southeast as his main suitors. “I visited IUS for a game and to tour the campus,” he said. “I’ve had calls from Southern Indiana recently, but that’s a wait-and-see situation.”
• Evan Eggersman, a 6-1 guard and Allman’s senior running mate, connected on 10-of-11 free throws and totaled 17 points.

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New Albany’s Adam Stotts developed his identity last season as a solid three-point marksman coming off the bench for the Bulldogs. This season, Stotts, now a starter, is adjusting to an added role — senior leader.

HoosierHillsHoops.com: It’s your senior year, and your final go-around at New Albany. Besides being in the starting lineup, how has your role  changed from last season?

Stotts: I feel more like a go-to guy. Last year I came in and was expected to hit a few three-pointers, but now I feel like I can really help dictate the game along with my other teammates. Last year was also my first year on varsity, so this season I know what to expect every game and what I need to provide for us to be successful.

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Boys’ High School Division

• MVP: Matthew Lucas, Seymour
• All-League Team: Spencer Allman, Brownstown; Grant Meyer, Silver Creek; Jordan Newkirk, Crawford County; Sean Sellers, Greensburg; Morgan Toliver, New Albany

Girls’ High School Division

• MVP: Alexis McFarland, Silver Creek
• All-League Team: Shelby Miller, South Central; Mandi Martin, Silver Creek; Brandi Ponder, Southwestern;  Heather Uhl, Corydon; Emily Ziegler, Floyd Central.

Boys’ Middle School Division

• MVP: Isaiah Hickman, Scribner
• All-League Team: Gabe Bauer, Silver Creek; Markus Fleenor, Austin; Zach Goodwin, South Central; Bryce Harmon, Madison; Nick Macon, Madison