Former Triton star Clay Yeo is shown during the Class 1-A state championship game in March. Yeo is hoping to cap his prep career with two wins over Kentucky as a member of the Indiana All-Star team (Photo by Mike Deak)

INDIANAPOLIS – Clay Yeo has already made history by being the first-ever boys basketball player from Triton High School selected as a prestigious Indiana All-Star.

Now, the former star of the Trojans hopes to make a little more history for the talent-laden team.

“The common goal for all of us is to beat Kentucky twice,” said Yeo in a phone interview Sunday evening from Marian University. “That’s how people will remember you as an All-Star.

“Beating Kentucky is talked about every day by the coaches here and among ourselves. That’s what we’re trying to come together as a team to accomplish. All of us are competitors. That’s why we’re here.”

Yeo, a Valparaiso University recruit, reported to All-Star camp Saturday. The Indiana squad is scheduled to play the Junior All-Stars in exhibition games tonight and Wednesday before facing Kentucky Friday night at Freedom Hall in Louisville and then Saturday evening at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis in the annual two-game clash of rivals.

“So far, it’s been busy, super fun and a good experience,” Yeo said. “We’re not only building bonds on the floor, but off the court too.”

Yeo turned in a stellar senior season to cement his selection to the team. The versatile 6-6 wing player poured in 26 points-per-game in leading the Trojans to a 20-6 mark and a Class 1-A state runner-up finish. Yeo also averaged 7.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.9 blocked shots per game for coach Jason Groves.

“We had a long, hard first practice earlier today,” related Yeo. “We’re working on defense most of the time. We know that stops will equal wins. Coach Heady is a very good coach.”

Yeo, who joins Lorea Feldman (1984) as the only Indiana All-Stars from the Bourbon school, had a prolific prep career at Triton. He led the Trojans to an 85-19 record in his four years, which included four NSC titles, four sectional championships and a pair of regional and semi state crowns. Triton was also state runner-up in 2011. Yeo poured in 26 points, including 19 in the fourth quarter, in his final game in a Triton uniform, a 55-50 loss to Borden in the Class 1-A state title tilt in March at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

“We just need to rely on each other and play together,” said Yeo. “Coach is stressing defense and moving the ball on offense to get great shots instead of just good ones.

“We have a bunch of 6-6 guys who are very athletic, who can score and play very good defense. I expect us to get out and run.”

Yeo is also experiencing an added bonus as an All-Star. He arrived on Saturday to find that his roommate is good friend Demetrius Jackson. Yeo has formed a bond with the explosive former Mishawaka Marian star and Notre Dame recruit in the past as AAU teammates.

“Being an All-Star is awesome and then to get to room with DJ is just the cherry on the top of all of it,” said Yeo. “I’m just trying to enjoy all of it, including spending time with him this week. He’s awesome and a good friend.”

Yeo holds the school single-game scoring record with 44 points and the single-season mark with 675 his junior season. He also set the Marshall County boys scoring standard for a career with 1,992 points, passing former Plymouth star Kyle Benge.

“I’m not the fastest guy, not the best shooter and not the best defender on this team,” said Yeo. “I’m just trying to bring energy and a positive attitude and do the little things.

“This team does not need me to score. We’ve got plenty of guys who can do that. I just want to fit in to whatever role they need me to fill.”

Hoping to make a little more history too along the way as he does.