Local prep stars seek opportunity during showcase

Some of the best athletes in the state will bring their talents to Montgomery for the 2017 AHSAA All-Star Sports Week.

Two local athletes said this week is about the opportunity from them to get better and to get noticed.

Tallassee’s Casey Baynes said he hopes to receive more college looks after Tuesday's North-South baseball doubleheader at Riverwalk Stadium, which begins at 4.

Baynes hit .407 with 37 RBIs and stole 17 bases for the Tigers, who reached the Class 4A quarterfinals last season.

"Hopefully, I can take something from the coaches and apply it to next season," Baynes said. "I think it will be fun playing with guys that have Division I offers or are just trying to put their names out there."

The North-South softball doubleheader begins at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Lagoon Park.

Alabama Christian junior pitcher Lacy Spear helped lead the Eagles to a 59-7 record and a third-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament.

Spear, a Class 4A first-team all-state performer, said she had to hold onto her excitement when she was first told of her selection by ACA coach Chris Goodman.

“He told me before I was supposed to know,” said Spear, who went 25-2 with a 0.89 ERA last season. “I was really excited when he told me. When I got the invite in the mail, it just seemed more real. I’m excited to play against high-level competition.”

The Emory Folmar Soccer Complex at AUM will host Tuesday's North-South soccer doubleheader. The girls play at 5, followed by the boys at 7.

State coaches and administrators will take place in the annual AHSAA summer conference, which begins today at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center.

The week’s festivities began Monday with a press conference held on the campus of AUM.

AHSAA executive director Steve Savarese and Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange both shared comments on the upcoming week.

Savarese said that what makes the event special is the attention to customer service.

“I want to thank everyone that works with sports in Montgomery for allowing us the opportunity to be here and to be home for our games,” Savarese said. “This week, more than 5,000 people will come to Montgomery. It’s an exciting week.”

Strange said the economic impact from the event reaches anywhere from $8 million to $10 million each year.

"When I think of some of the things we've been able to accomplish, this (event) is going to be in the top four," Strange said. "It's another one of those deals that showcase Montgomery and give the Central Alabama Sports Commission an opportunity to be involved."