By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
MONTGOMERY – The Alabama High School Athletic Association’s annual All-Star Sports Week begins Monday in Montgomery.
Four of the area’s rising seniors are among the North all-stars in their respective sports. Those four athletes are Cedar Bluff utility baseball player Caleb Edmondson, Piedmont pitcher Brodie Homesley, Sand Rock cross country runner Caleb Yoder, and Spring Garden girls basketball point guard/volleyball outside hitter Ace Austin.
Austin has the rare honor of being selected for two all-star events, but she will only get to compete in the North-South girls basketball game on Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex. The Alabama commitment will be flying out for Chicago on Wednesday morning for the Nike Basketball Nationals.
“It would’ve been fun to be able to have played both, but it’s not happening,” Austin said. “I would’ve liked to have represented our school in volleyball. Being able to represent Spring Garden (as an all-star), I think it’s something everyone wants to experience. I’m just blessed and thankful to have the opportunities I have.”
The Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year led the Class 1A Lady Panthers to a 33-1 record and a second straight Class 1A state championship this past season. She averaged 20.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 3.6 steals per game, including 35 points and nine rebounds in a 63-31 win over Marion County High School in the state final.
Austin also led the Lady Panthers to a state title last year in volleyball. She posted 746 kills and helped her team dethrone three-time defending state champion Addison. Spring Garden went on to earn its first Class 1A state championship since 2007.
While championships are the norm for Austin at Spring Garden, her focus on Tuesday is helping the North continue its dominance over the South in girls basketball. The North won last year’s game 80-44 and leads the series 23-3.
“Being able to play for the North team is an honor. You want to represent and keep that streak going,” Austin said. “You don’t want to let that streak die. It’s a legacy. It is an honor and I just want to be able to represent the North and Cherokee County.”
Austin isn’t the only North All-Star who will represent Cherokee County this week. Edmondson, an outfielder, pitcher and catcher for Cedar Bluff, will suit up for the North baseball squad for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. at Riverwalk Stadium. One of his teammates is Piedmont’s Homesley.
Edmondson batted .293 last season with eight doubles, a pair of triples, two home runs, and 18 RBIs. He had no errors in 73 chances in the field and set a Cedar Bluff single-season walk record with 28 free passes.
Homesley, a lefty, went 6-4 with a save, 72 strikeouts and a 2.89 ERA in 55 2/3 innings for the Bulldogs last season.
Edmondson said he’s anxious to play in Monday’s doubleheader.
“I’m ready for it,” he said. “I’ve been looking forward to this for a couple of months now. I’ve been hitting in the cages and getting everything ready for this day. I’m ready to go. It’s a big opportunity for us to go out there and shine.”
Edmondson is also excited to be reunited with Etowah pitcher and Mississippi State commitment Jameson Scissum.
“When I was younger I played with him, so I know him a good bit,” Edmondson said. “I’m excited to play with him again. I texted him the other day and said ‘Hey man are you ready to go?’ He said ‘Heck yeah, I’m really excited.’ We’re all excited and ready to go out there and give it 110-percent.”
Sand Rock’s Yoder is also excited to run on Tuesday morning for the North. The North-South Boys Cross Country run begins at 8:30 a.m. at Gateway Park.
Yoder posted his best time last year in the 5K Lake Guntersville International. His time was 16:15.
“Last year, that was my main goal, to be able to run fast enough to be considered for this,” Yoder said. “I completed my goal, and it’s an incredible honor to be able to do that. To run with the other seniors who are going as well, that’s a blessing.”
Like Edmondson, Yoder said he’s excited to compete with another area athlete in Southside’s Evan Christopher.
“There’s definitely some fast guys on the North. The South has some too, but I think the North is set up pretty good,” Yoder said.
“It definitely feels amazing to find a reward for all the hard work I’ve done since seventh grade. I think it will be fun. I’m still getting into shape after getting a little break from track season. I’m just going to have fun and see how it goes, and just enjoy the experience.”