Preview the 27th Annual AHSAA North-South All-Star Baseball Competition

Montgomery, AL – The anticipation is building as the North-South All-Star squads for the upcoming 27th annual AHSAA North-South All-Star Baseball competition have been unveiled. The rosters for the two teams, each consisting of 18 rising seniors from the class of 2024, were announced by Brandon Dean, Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA) on Monday.

This event, organized under the auspices of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), promises to be an action-packed week filled with stellar performances across multiple sports. In addition to baseball, the All-Star Week, which will take place from July 17th to July 21st, will also showcase all-star games in basketball, softball, volleyball, boys’ and girls’ soccer, cross country, tennis, and golf. The teams for fall and winter sports have already been announced, generating even more excitement among fans and players alike.

Last December, football fans were treated to a thrilling showdown during the 64th annual North-South All-Star Football Game, held in Mobile. The South emerged victorious, dominating the game with a commanding 42-7 win.

Now, attention turns to baseball as the coaches for the 2023 All-Star squads have been revealed. Leading the North team are Mark Garner from Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Brandon Stocks from Fayette County, and administrative coach Keith Lucky from Saint James. On the South side, the team will be guided by Chris Jacks from Gulf Shores, Richie Brooks from Benjamin Russell, and retired coach Ken Whittle from Trinity Presbyterian.

The South All-Star boys’ team boasts an impressive lineup, with four players who recently competed in the 2023 AHSAA State Baseball Championship Series held in Oxford and Jacksonville. Caden Collier, who played shortstop for the Class 2A state champion Ariton, showcased his talent by hitting .365 with two home runs and 37 RBIs throughout the season. Drey Barrett, a versatile player who excelled both on the mound and in the infield, contributed significantly to Class 5A state champion Holtville. He finished the year with a 6-3 record and a .381 batting average, tallying five home runs and 43 RBIs. Landon Beaver, first baseman for the Class 7A state runner-up Central-Phenix City, proved to be a force at the plate with a .385 average, four homers, and 39 RBIs. Alex Sherman, a standout pitcher for Class 4A state runner-up UMS-Wright, recorded an impressive 8-3 record, complemented by a remarkable 1.26 ERA and 96 strikeouts.

Meanwhile, the North All-Stars showcase their own talented trio who recently competed in the 2023 State Baseball Championship Series. Landon Fike, an outfielder / pitcher from Gordo, played a pivotal role in helping his team secure the runner-up spot in Class 3A. With a 6-1 record on the mound and a .35 batting average, including one home run and 19 RBIs, Fike demonstrated his all-around skills. Carter Johnson, shortstop-pitcher for Oxford, was instrumental in leading the Yellow Jackets to the Class 6A state championship. His impressive numbers included a .398 batting average, five home runs, nine triples, and 36 RBIs. Johnson even made history by tying an AHSAA record with three triples in a single game during the regular season. Lastly, John Paul Head, the catcher for Vestavia Hills, played a pivotal role in his team’s first state title victory since 2000. Head ended the season with a .351 batting average, three home runs, and 35 RBIs.

Excitement is building for the North-South all-star baseball competition, set to take place on Monday, July 17th, at Montgomery’s Riverwalk Stadium. The event will be broadcasted live on the NFHS Network and AHSAA TV Network, ensuring fans don’t miss a single moment of the action.

In last year’s All-Star series, the South claimed victory in the first game with a narrow 7-6 win, while the teams battled to a 3-3 tie in the second game. As it stands, the North maintains the upper hand in the series, leading with a 23-15-2 record.