AHSAA All-Star Week will feature local elite athletes

MADISON – Four days of elite athletes showcasing their best efforts versus just as talented athletes is the best way to describe the annual AHSAA North-South All-Star Week competition scheduled for July 20-23 in Montgomery.

All-Star games in eight different sports with both boys and girls seeing competition is comprised of rising seniors with teams made up of athletes from the northern section of Alabama facing similar squads from the southern half of the state. The competitions will be held at various locations in Montgomery.

The schedule of events for All-Star Week and the local athletes selected to experience to last a lifetime:

Monday, July 20: Golf (boys and girls), Arrowhead Country Club

Monday, July 20: Baseball, DABOS Park

Bob Jones rising senior Graham Segraves will take to the mound for the North as the 6-foot-1, 185-pound right hander is the No. 1 pitcher on the Patriots team. “I was surprised I was chosen for the All-Star Week, but very appreciative to be selected. I believe I can play with the elite players in Alabama,” said Segraves, who carries a 4.19 grade point average in the classroom and has had contact with at least one Div. I college program and several JUCO teams. “I love pitching as I began playing baseball in the recreation leagues at age four and began playing on travel teams five years later. I currently play for the VBA Nationals.”

Segraves throws in the high 80’s and low 90’s in speed and throws a fastball either four or two seams. His magnificent curveball dives at the plate which keeps opposing batters guessing on when that pitch is on its way to the plate. He said his best pitch is his changeup and he’s been perfecting that pitch for months.

“I feel I can pitch against the best in the state,” exclaimed Segraves.

Tuesday, July 21: Cross Country (boys and girls), Gateway Park

Tuesday, July 21: Tennis (boys and girls), Lagoon Park Tennis Complex Cameron Watson (Bob Jones)

If required to do so, Holly Young could easily act out being an elite tennis player as she’s an actress in Madison Academy’s theatre and performs in the school choir. She looks to study musical theatre and acting in college and just recently completed 14-day, 14-hour daily acting school in Los Angeles not far from Hollywood. The school AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Los Angeles), is a two-week boarding immersion program with on camera and musical theatre studies with cultural and conservatory experiences.

But Young doesn’t have to act to be an elite player in tennis as she’s been the No. 1 player on the Madison Academy team for three years and plays at a 5.5 level where she lost in the semi-finals of the Class 4-5A State Tournament earlier in the spring. The 5-foot-3, 145-pound right handed player said she’s more of a tactical player than strong hitter. She added, “I love to setup my op- ponent with a good volley. My serve has good speed, but I try and get the ball in play where I want to hit the tennis ball.”

The youngest of four children in her family, Young began playing tennis at age two and she chose tennis because a lot of her friends were on the court with their tennis rackets. Now, reaping the benefits of years of hard work under coaching from Eddie Jacques at the Athletic Club of Alabama in Huntsville, the mighty player is set for the All-Star Week experience.

“I’m excited as our school had a player attend the special event a couple years ago and I’ve always wanted to be a part of the All-Star Week,” said Young.

Tuesday, July 21: Basketball (girls and boys), Multiplex at Cramton Bowl – Alexander Blue (James Clemens) After a spectacular junior season where he tallied 16 points per game for the Sparkman Senators and was honored with a Honorable Mention All-State selection, Landen Malone can’t wait to step onto the court in the All-Star Week competition as he’s locked in his preparation for the experience after playing AAU this summer for the B.MAZE Elite team of Huntsville alongside James Clemens rising senior Alexander Blue, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound power forward who also will play in the All-Star Week game.

“To get to represent my school and this area is a great honor as the selection means I’m one of the top players in the North part of the state,” said Malone, who has a 3.8 grade point average and wants to pursue being a pilot for a major airline after college. “I’ve had lots of looks from many levels of schools as I’ve been on the varsity team at Sparkman since I was a sophomore.”

A season ago he averaged 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block and 1 steal per outing to go along with his 16 points per game scoring.

“I play with a lot of energy, very athletic, bring down lots of rebounds and I seem to make the right plays,” said Malone of his play on the court. “I feel I’m very strong on defense as I always make the opposing player settle for shots they didn’t want to take. My athleticism makes them change their shots.”

Malone indicated he’s really aggressively assessing his talents in the area of ball handling and is actively working to be better. He feels his best spot on the court when shooting is mid-range and then having the prowess of being able to take care of layups when needed.

Wednesday, July 22: Softball, Lagoon Park Softball Complex- Kent Chambers (Bob Jones), Administration Wednesday, July 22: Soccer (boys and girls), Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex- Paul Elam (Sparkman), Ryan Jones (Bob Jones), Kira Betts (Sparkman) and Taylor Miksell (James Clemens) Thursday, July 23: Volleyball (Multiplex at Cramton Bowl) Thursday, July 23: Championship Coaches Banquet (Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center) Friday, July 24: AHSAA Sportsmanship Schools Luncheon (Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center)