Local athletes selected for All-Star Sports Week
By TIM GAYLE
Six local soccer players, and 17 overall, are among the juniors selected to represent the state in the spring sports in the annual All-Star Sports Week held annually in Montgomery in mid-July.
The only problem is, event organizers announced just prior to the release of the spring sport teams that All-Star Sports Week was canceled and the summer conference – annually the biggest economic boost to the city’s economy – would be converted to a virtual online conference.
Highlighting the girls’ soccer all-star teams named on Friday were Montgomery Academy center midfielder Leighton Robertson, Trinity midfielder Margaret Mathison and Alabama Christian forward Michaelyn Manning. Those were the only local players selected to the team, which included 11 Class 6A and 7A players on the 18-player roster.
"Soccer wasn't really on my radar since the virus came around, but it is a great honor to be named to All-Star week,” Robertson said. “I am surprised by the whole thing and I'm very humbled."
Highlighting the boys’ soccer all-star teams, also released on Friday, were Trinity center midfielder Jake Hufham, Montgomery Academy goalkeeper Keith Miller Jr., and Catholic defensive midfielder Judd Osten. Those were the only local players selected to the team, which included 10 Class 6A and 7A players on the 18-play roster.
Unfortunately, those selections were tempered by the announcement on Monday that there would be no games.
"It's disappointing to miss what has got to be a cool experience,” Robertson said. “Just the opportunity to play together and make new friends is exciting. It's just too bad we can't play, but it's understandable."
The Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association is in charge of the event and AHSADCA executive director Jamie Lee said it was unfortunate that social distancing requirements created by the coronavirus pandemic required organizers to change the conference and cancel the games for the first time in the history of the event.
“Due to the ADPH guidelines concerning social distancing and the concern over large group gatherings, we feel it is in the best interest of our member schools to make these adjustments,” Lee said. “We are grateful to have the technology available to provide this important professional development. We want to recognize the players and coaches selected even though we are unable to hold the events this summer.”
The games were scheduled for July 14-16 at area venues throughout Montgomery, although there was no guarantee the mayor would open up the facilities, which are currently on lockdown because of the virus.
The softball all-stars were released on Saturday. Making the South squad were Alabama Christian Academy infielder Haley Ingram, Prattville Christian Academy pitcher Landyn McAnnally, Elmore County infielder Madison Britt, Tallassee catcher Alexis Love and Brew Tech outfielder Romona McLeod. Brew Tech’s Brian Pittman was selected as one of the coaches.
The South all-star baseball squad, released on Wednesday, includes St. James shortstop Carson Howard, LAMP pitcher Walker Morgan and Tallassee pitcher Jacob Ingram. Trinity coach Ken Whittle and St. James coach Keith Lucky, as usual, were selected to serve as administrative coaches for the two all-star teams.
The all-star tennis teams were released on Tuesday. The South girls’ team included Prattville Christian Academy’s Sydney Jorgensen, while the boys’ team includes Montgomery Academy’s Hamilton Chapman, who won the No. 2 doubles championship last year in 4A-5A; Trinity’s Thomas Treadwell, who reached the 6A finals last year in No. 3 doubles and No. 1 singles; and LAMP’s Junu Jeon.
Trinity’s Elisa Bowden continues to serve as an administrative coach for the all-star teams.
No local players were selected for either the girls’ or boys’ golf teams released on Monday.
Earlier in the spring, all-star squads were released for cross country, basketball and football. When those teams were announced, participants were eager to compete but now will have to settle for simply being selected.
In cross country, the South all-star team includes Presley Miles of St. James and Mary Elizabeth Hill of Trinity on the girls’ squad and the Catholic trio of Hollis Johnson Jr., Sam Leslie and Harrison Skala on the boys’ team. Catholic coach Hollis Johnson was selected as one of the coaches for the girls’ team.
In boys’ basketball, the South all-star squad included Lee’s Jamal Albritton, Calhoun’s J.D. Davison, Autaugaville’s DeWaun Stubbs and Carver’s RayQuan Taylor. The girls’ team includes Renijah Brown of Marbury, Sheria Clement and Skye Harris of Pike Road, Nina Johnson of Brew Tech and Bre’Anna Rhodes of Carver.
Rounding out the all-star squads was a group of graduated seniors looking forward to impressive potential recruiters one last time. Representing the South are Prattville quarterback Kyle Kramer, Park Crossing quarterback Braxton Tolliver, Prattville receiver Isaiah Causey, Lee receiver Damarshun Davis, Jeff Davis receiver Tavares Womack, Prattville offensive lineman Ethan Bittle, Park Crossing defensive back Javier Taylor, Carver linebacker Andre Howard, Lee linebacker James Russell and Lee defensive tackle Reggie Fowler.
The football game, which had been scheduled for Thursday, July 16 at Cramton Bowl, marks the last North-South football game for graduated seniors as part of All-Star Sports Week. Beginning in December, juniors will be selected to participate in the North-South game.