Bob Jones sends seven athletes to All-Star Sports week.
rising seniors selected to All Star teams (l to r) Sydney Booker, Alexis Howell, Chandler Elder, Chandler Austin, Matt Sanders
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)
MADISON- To be selected among the best in your sport in the state of Alabama is an honor reserved for a very few. Over 20,000 athletes compete in high school sports in Alabama each year and just over 100 are selected as the best.
This year, the all star selections include Bob Jones athletes in all major sports. The rising seniors gathered recently for a photo shoot for the official program that will be used at All-Star Week in Montgomery July 15-20.
It is easy to see why Bob Jones second baseman Matt Sanders made the baseball team. He hit over .480 and led the Patriots to the third round of the playoffs where they fell to Hoover. Sanders was also a key relief pitcher but expects to play second at the next level.
He holds an offer from UAH and hopes to get one from Troy.
Sanders said he is looking forward to “playing some good competition and meeting everybody down there. I’m looking to be more consistent at the plate and in the field.”
The North team will be coached by Buckhorn Head Baseball coach Roger Wright. The game will be at Riverwalk Stadium, the home of the Southern League’s Montgomery Biscuits on Monday, July 15.
Chandler Elder will play basketball for the North. She keeps a tradition going of girl’s basketball players making the All-Star team from Bob Jones. Elder averaged 13 points per game last year but her all around game includes rebounding, defense, and ball handling. As a sophomore she played on a team that made the state championship game then moved into the starting lineup last year.
“I’m excited and looking forward to it,” Elder said. “Getting selected to play in the game is a great opportunity. Playing for the coaches there will be a good experience because they are among the best in the state. It’s a lot of drills and hard work but I’ll learn new stuff and improve my game.”
Amber Deline of Oneonta is the head coach of the North girl’s basketball team. The North team won last year’s game at Alabama State University’s Dunn-Oliver Acadome 68-67 in overtime. The boys and girls basketball games are July 17 at the Acadome.
Elder said she enjoys “making new relationships with players I haven’t met before. Especially the friendships, they mean a lot to me. This is one of the main things I’m looking forward to this summer.”
Going into her senior season, Elder said she is waiting on the right offer and is keeping her options open.
“Once I get offered somewhere I like I’m going to take it,” she said.
Bob Jones softball shortstop Sydney Booker, volleyball outside hitter Alexis Howell, and soccer back Chandler Austin round out the rising seniors competing.
Kevin Rose with Kevin Wright and Jordan Shelton
Bob Jones head football coach Kevin Rose will be the coach of the North All-Star football team. Rose has selected two graduated seniors from Bob Jones to round out his roster. Tackle Jordan Shelton who is signed to play at Alabama A&M and halfback/slot receiver Kevin Wright who signed with GeorgetownUniversity (Ky).
