All-Star Week athletes ready for action – The Madison Record

MADISON – The annual North-South All-Star Week competitions will be held July 15-18 in Montgomery, and no fewer than 10 athletes and one coach from the four local schools will be among the state’s elite selected for the events hosted by the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

Teams representing both the northern half of Alabama and the southern half of the state will meet at the State Capitol to compete during the week-long All-Star Week with rising seniors in golf, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, cross country and tennis. The 65^th The annual North-South All-Star football game was held last December and the South won 31-28.

Here is the list of local players/coaches selected to participate:

Baseball – Zack Johnson, Bob Jones, catcher, 6-1, 185.

Girls Soccer – Regan Boyd, Madison Academy, midfielder, 5-4, Amber Smith, Sparkman, midfielder, 5-7.

Tennis boys – Jason Park, James Clemens.

Boys basketball – Kaden Rickard, Bob Jones, guard, 6-6, 170.

Girls Basketball – Jaliyah Smith, Bob Jones, Guard, 5-10.

Volleyball – Kennedy Vaughn, Bob Jones, outside hitter, 5-11, Riley Lovell, Bob Jones, setter, 5-6, Jenny Jarrett, Bob Jones, head coach.

Cross Country – Boys – Luke Alverson, James Clemens.

Cross Country – Girls – Kylie Gero, James Clemens.

Softball – Kent Chambers, Bob Jones, Administration.

“I am very excited and honored to have been selected to coach the North team. And of course it is even more fun to be able to coach two of my own players because both Riley and Kennedy have worked really hard to excel in their positions,” said Jenny Jarrett. “I also know many of the players on the North team because I have coached club teams and played against them in school competitions. It is a great experience to be able to coach so many top players from all over the North State.”

For the Bob Jones duo, part of the team that finished second in the Class 7A state championships in the 2023 season, setter Lovell and outside hitter Vaughn had 19 assists and 16 kills, respectively, for the Patriots in the 7A final.

Zach Johnson just had the season of his life for Bob Jones, as the first-team All-State catcher helped Bob Jones to the Class 7A Baseball State Championship. The Alabama product batted .384 with 5 home runs, 65 RBIs and struck out just 9 times on the season. He had a .986 fielding percentage behind the plate.

“I’m honored to have been selected for what I think will be a fun experience as I will have the chance to meet new people in a competitive environment,” said Johnson, who is expected to sign with the Crimson Tide on National Signing Day. “I’ve been working out at the Bob Jones facilities with some of my teammates and my dad when he has time.”

The 17-year-old is currently recovering from an injury to the pinky finger/knuckle on his left hand. He injured his hand while playing tag at the plate in one of his final summer league games for the Viper Baseball Academy Black Squad. He added: “This All-Star Game means I’ve been selected to be among the best and there’s only one chance for this event. I plan to make the most of this experience.”