MADISON- The 2022 AHSAA North-South All-Star Sports Week is set for July 18-22 as part of the annual AHSAA Summer Conference in Montgomery. The multi-sport event will feature 2023 rising seniors as they square off in the North-South format. All-Star games will be held in baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis and golf.

Local athletes from area high school athletic programs have been chosen for the battles which are well received by recruiting colleges and a fun, but competitive atmosphere for the athletes.

New Alignments

The Alabama High School Athletic Association has approved both winter and spring sports alignments for the next two school seasons. The Competitive Balance factor, which was instituted for member private schools, did affect three private schools including Madison Academy.

The Mustangs’ program will undergo some movement in the upcoming school year. The biggest move is in basketball as the maroon and gold teams will move down one classification to Class 5A. In addition, the tennis program will move up to Class 6A after previously participating in Class 4-5A events.

The Mustangs’ remaining sports will remain the same and includes: baseball (5A), softball (4A), soccer (4-5A), track (4-5A), golf (4-5A), volleyball (5A), bowling (1-5A), wrestling (1-4A), cross country (4-5A), swimming (4-5A) and football (4A).

Sparkman High News

The Sparkman High cheer squads are showcasing its latest bling as squad members have received their 2022 World Championship rings. Th Senators won their titles at the competition held earlier in the year in Orlando, Fla.

Karmelo Montgomery, a rising senior wide receiver for the Sparkman football team, has received his invitation to play in the Hawaii Tiki Bowl. The annual high school games are broken down to two events- Dec. 16-21 and Jan. 3-8.

As a member of the All-Star events, athletes will spend six days with college coaches for advice on many aspects of football, but more importantly, how to network with college coaches and learn to gain exposure for a possible college scholarship. Each athlete will gain priceless knowledge on how to prep for college, especially how to live in and experience college life.

Away from the well-structured environment surrounding the Tiki Bowl, players will have ample free time to visit the world’s most famous beach at Waikiki. The event also includes guided tours of numerous Hawaii landmarks including the famous Diamond Head Crater.

Former Sparkman High track star Lauryn Hall just completed her college track years by graduating from the University of North Carolina. She will now look at pursuing track on the next level.

A 2018 graduate of Sparkman, Hall was a two-sport star for the Senators where she not only ran track but was a member of the award-winning cheer squad as well. She was named the school’s girls winner the Wendy’s High School Heisman and compiled a 4.3 grade point average. She originally chose the ACC Tar Heels over Kentucky, South Carolina and Miami. At North Carolina, Hall posted personal best times of: 60m- 7.43; 100m- 11.55; 200m- 23.68.

Football Recruits

Rocket City Preps has established what it considers the top football recruits in the immediate area of Huntsville-Madison. The class of 2023 has some wonderful talent onboard for the upcoming fall season.

According to Rocket City Preps, James Clemens quarterback Gio Lopez is the No. 1 recruit in the area. Immediately following Lopez at No. 2 is Bob Jones quarterback Ray Hardy. The two special play callers will square off in the annual Madison Bowl in September.

The remaining local players to make the top 10 are 4. Jamal Mayers, James Clemens (DB), 5. K.J. Fields, Bob Jones (DB), 6. Maddox Sunderman, Bob Jones (OL) and 8. Matt Rozier, Sparkman (WR).

Looking even further ahead to the Class of 2024, Bob Jones rising junior baseball sensation Braden Booth is listed as the No. 4 baseball recruit in Alabama according to PBR Alabama. Booth is listed as both a 3B and RHP.

MotoSurf

The Tennessee Valley will have to wait another year to entertain the MotoSurf Games as the once scheduled event at Huntsville’s Brahan Spring Park July 8-10 has been postponed until 2023. Race and city officials are working on the rescheduled event.

MotorSurf is the fastest growing water sport in the world after its birth a decade ago. In a capsule explanation, MotoSurf is exactly what the name means. Surf boards powered by combustion engines or electric powered. The event is scheduled to be a part of the MotoSurf World Cup and features segments open to novice surfers who want to give the new sport a try. Wait ‘til next year.