Abby’s Faber flourishes in all-star border battle

Abbotsford High’s Cade Faber hasn’t played basketball since the Falcons season ended in late February.

But Faber has stayed active this spring by playing baseball for the Abbotsford/ Colby co-op, and he assures one his game is still as devastating as ever.

“I felt good, but I just didn’t feel as in shape because of baseball. You don’t run as much, but my game was all there.”

Faber showed just how little rust was on his game last Wednesday. The recent Abby grad was key to Wisconsin’s 172114 victory over Michigan’s Upper Peninsula at the 7th annual Kiwanis Classic Border Bash All-Star game at Northland Pines High School in Eagle River.

“It was a pretty cool experience. I didn’t think I was going to be nominated for it.”

Faber showcased his signature booming dunks and aggressive, slashing style of play that earned him All-State honors this season en route to 25 points.

“It was awesome,” he said. “The dunks really made the crowd get excited.”

Points came easy for Wisconsin, and with masks not required for players or fans, a crowd of 500 watched Wisconsin take a 4-3 lead in the annual contest.

The all-star game’s unique setting also led to the high score. Wisconsin schools play two 18 minute halves, while Michigan schools play 32-minute games. But at the Border Bash, each half is 26-minutes, making for a nearly hour long game.

By halftime the boys from the Badgerland scored 86 points, and reached 100 less than three minutes into the second.

“I think this shows just how good the state of Wisconsin is when it comes to basketball,” Faber said about his team’s result. “We’re very competitive.”

Faber was a big part of that offensive blitzkrieg. The athletic guard from Abby oohed and aahed the crowd with dazzling dunks, including an alley-oop.

Faber will have another chance to display his skills and athleticism next month at Just-A-Game Fieldhouse in Wisconsin Dells. Faber will represent Abbotsford and the D-4 Red team, which is made up of all-stars from Northern Wisconsin.

“It’s cool because it’s been a long time since someone from Abbotsford has been at these all-star games,” Faber said.

Faber will play at 10:45 a.m. on July 15. In order to play, participating athletes must raise money for the WBCA and the charities they support.

Faber, and all WBCA All-Stars, each get have their own personal web pages to aid in their fundraising efforts at https:// www.wisbca.org/allstar-game/.