Jun. 5—Decatur Youth Services is going Rucker Park-style with its 10th anniversary all-star basketball game on Friday evening.

DYS is moving its annual fundraiser outside to "The Cage" at Parkway Park at Gordon Drive and First Street Southwest, organizer Rico Pickett Sr. said Thursday. Rucker Park is an outdoor basketball court in Harlem, New York, famous for pick-up games involving some of the country's most famous players.

The event starts at 6 p.m. Parking is at West Decatur Elementary School, with Youth Services providing bus rides to the venue. Spectators are asked to bring lawn chairs, but there will be some bleachers available around the court.

"This has been a great fundraiser for us because it helps with our youth basketball league," DYS Director Johnny Jones said. "The money we earn from the game pays the entrance fees and uniforms for the league every fall."

Jones said he's hoping to have the same success with the outdoor all-star game as DYS has had with its other events this year.

"Our community has really been coming out and supporting us," Jones said.

Pickett said he also wanted to change things up this year by combining the forces of former Decatur and Austin high stars and having them play former Athens High stars in a best two-out-of-three showdown.

This will be a men-only challenge, and there won't be a women's game this year, he said.

Pickett said there will be 10 former stars on each team. He said he's gotten commitments from players like Decatur High alumni Harry Malone, Rico Pickett Jr. and Quinton Fry, and Austin's Malik Elliott, Harry Malone, Quincy and Alexis Gray, and Athens High's brother duo of Trey Potts and Gideon Potts.

"Some of the players said they wanted to see what it would look like with Decatur and Austin players playing together," Pickett said. "And the rivalries between Decatur and Athens and Austin and Athens have always been really good."

Jones said he thinks it will be good to see Austin and Decatur playing together, "especially with everything that's been going on lately."

As part of the 10th year of the game, Pickett said he plans to honor former Decatur High players Mike Lovelace, Carlos Clark, Chris Stanford and Hal Sanders for their support during a game break.

"These guys have supported me the whole 10 years," Pickett said. "They're older now, so they decided not to play this year."

He said they will also hold a foul-shot competition for public officials. Some of the officials who have committed to participating are Mayor Kent Lawrence, state Rep. Parker Moore, Austin High Principal Demond Garth and District 1 City Councilman Terrance Adkins.

"Every free throw they miss they will have to donate $5," Pickett said.

Jones, who also coaches Decatur Heritage Christian Academy's girls basketball team, said he plans to participate. He immediately challenged his competitors.

"I told Rico I would participate but I don't miss," Jones said.

Pickett said he plans to make the event "a big block party." First Street will be blocked off. They plan to house bouncy houses and other games and fun challenges during timeouts.

He said four food trucks — Sisters in Town, Sonya's Spicy Bowl, Snow Heaven Express and Nana Jean's Ice Cream — will be available.

— bayne.hughes@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2432