North-South All-Star Week Features Plenty Of Local Talent

MADISON- The 2022 Alabama High School Athletic Association’s All-Star Sports Week is set for July 18-22 as part of the annual AHSAA Summer Conference in Montgomery. The multi-sport event will feature 2023 seniors as teams in eight sports will square off in the North-South format.

The players chosen to participate were selected by a committee from nominations received from AHSAA member school coaches. Those selected included some superb student-athletes from the immediate area and the four high schools of Bob Jones, James Clemens, Sparkman and Madison Academy.

Girls Basketball

Two 15-member teams were chosen for both the North and South in girls and boys basketball. One local player was selected.

Kennedy Langham a 5-foot-8 shooting guard from Sparkman will help lead the North squad into battle. She was a Class 7A Second-Team All-State selection last year in her junior season and has several D-1 schools presenting offers and could be a high candidate for Ms. Basketball after her senior year.

Last season, Langham scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds per game with 424 points total scored, 167 rebounds and 75 steals during the season. She also posted a 43-percent shooting three-pointers.

“She is a very competitive and hard-working student-athlete that wants to be the best,” said Jarvis Wilson, head coach of the Sparkman girl’s program. “She is tough on the boards and plays with a passion that is second to none. She continues to fine-tune her skills on the court in preparations for both the All-Star Game and her 2022-2023 senior season.”

The North won last year 66-61 and hold a 21-3 edge in the game first played in 1997.

Baseball

Two local players will be listed on the North team for the baseball game. Those include John Buening (5-10, C) from Sparkman and Sam Mitchell (6-6, P) from Bob Jones.

Mitchell was chosen the Bob Jones MVP, Outstanding Pitcher for the Patriots as they rambled into the elite eight of the recent 2022 season. With an over all 35-10 team record winning the Area 8 championship, the Patriots’ Mitchell was chosen the Area 8 Pitcher of the Year. He was first on the team with nine wins and strikeouts with 82. He also posted a 2.04 ERA. At the plate he batted .341, which was second on the team.

In 2021, the South won the first game of the twin-bill 7-6, but the second game ended in a 3-3 tie. Heading in this year’s battle the North leads the series 23-15-2 with the series dating back to 1997.

Softball

The Lady Senators of Sparkman again have a tremendous talent representing the school of Harvest in the softball competition. Shortstop Cassie Reasner was selected for the North team after leading Sparkman to a 31-13 record this past season. For her efforts she was given the team’s Offensive Player of the Year and Golden Spike Awards.

She batted .441, with five homers and struck out just eight times in 93 at bats. She drew 25 walks and was perfect in 29 attempts at stolen bases. She has verbally committed to sign with the Kentucky Wildcats.

The 5-10 Reasner was also a Class 7A Second-Team All-State selection in volleyball.

Assisting in the softball games as Administrative Coach is Kent Chambers of Bob Jones. The longtime former head coach and current assistant for the Lady Patriots softball team is making his annual trek to Montgomery in his role to assist the success of the North-South games.

The North All-Stars swept the South in last year’s games wining 11-8 and 6-1. The North Leads the Series 27-23-3 dating back to 1997.

Volleyball

One player representing the local schools was chosen to play in the volleyball contest. Ariel Fuqua of Sparkman will play as a setter at 5-foot-7.

The South team in a sweep won last year’s matchup with identical three-game scores of 25-22, 25-22, 25-22. Overall, the North holds a 14-9 edge in the series dating back to 1997.

Tennis

Local players are featured on the North rosters for both boys and girls tennis teams.

In boys, Hunter Johnson of Bob Jones has been selected among the 12-member team. In girls, Punarvi Mandadapu of James Clemens will make the trek to Montgomery as part of the 12-player squad.

The North swept last summer’s competition winning 7-2 and now holds a 2-0 edge over the South in each series. The series was first played in 2019.

Golf

The golf competition, which began in 2019, will this year showcase two local talents on the links. Gracee Prince of James Clemens will play for the girl’s squad while Will Gaddy will represent Bob Jones as he plays on the boy’s team.

The North leads 2-0 in boys competition while the girls play is even at 1-1.