A select few

Athletes, coaches chosen to participate in All-Star Week

Ben Madison, a multi sport athlete and a recent graduate of Bauxite High School, is seen in action in the Central Arkansas All-Star game, held May 27. Madison is among several Tri-Lakes Edition-coverage-area athletes, coaches and trainers who’ve been selected to participate in All-Star Week at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Madison and other baseball and softball All-Stars will play on Tuesday.
Ben Madison, a multi sport athlete and a recent graduate of Bauxite High School, is seen in action in the Central Arkansas All-Star game, held May 27. Madison is among several Tri-Lakes Edition-coverage-area athletes, coaches and trainers who’ve been selected to participate in All-Star Week at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Madison and other baseball and softball All-Stars will play on Tuesday.

A large contingent of athletes and coaches from the Tri-Lakes Edition coverage area will convene at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway this week for the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Week activities.

Benton’s 10 representatives lead the area’s numbers among the elite group gathering for several days of competition and camaraderie in baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, basketball and football.

“It’s a good way to end your high school career,” said Central Arkansas Christian girls basketball coach Steve Quattlebaum, a member of the AHSCA’s girls all-star committee, which helps supervise events. “You get to play in front of a good crowd with kids from all over the state that you’ve competed against. It’s a great opportunity and one I hope they enjoy. I think they will.”

Rosters may change, but at press time, according to the Arkansas Activities Association’s website, locals participating include the following:

• Bauxite: Ben Madison, West baseball.

• Benton: Braxton Chumley and Taylor Lindberg, West volleyball; Tim Dezort and Drew Harris, West football; Delaney Bono, West softball; coach Mark Balisterri, West baseball; Morgan Plumley and coach Jason Gentry, West girls soccer; and Michael Betyo and Austin Dow, West boys soccer.

• Benton Harmony Grove: Kristen Dempsey, East softball.

• Bryant: Cameron Davis and Drew Tipton, East football; Allison Hughes and Kierra Solinger, East girls soccer; and Christa Finney, athletic training.

• Hot Springs: Anthony Goffigan, Clifford Jackson and coach Chris Vereen, West football; and Berniezha Tidwell, Tiaunna Watkins and coach Mark Upshaw, West girls basketball.

• Hot Springs Lakeside: Amanda Hamilton, West girls soccer; and Alex Braxton, West boys soccer.

• Lake Hamilton: Madisson Williams, Sophie Curtis, manager Paige Hoover and coach Karen Smith, West volleyball; Dani Carson, West girls soccer; and Heidi Plyler, athletic training.

• Magnet Cove: Jessi Bratton, West softball.

• Malvern: Quincy Collier, West football; Raven Baker, West girls basketball; and Elliott Caston, West boys soccer.

• Poyen: Daniel Goodman and Hunter Keen, West football.

• Ouachita: Hunter McDade, West baseball.

• Sheridan: Kadesha Cooper, West girls basketball; Morgan Burke and Olivia Reed, West softball; Tyler Allen and Evan Thompson, West baseball; and Heather Carter, West girls soccer.

All All-Star contests will be played on the UCA campus. Baseball and softball

will be played on those respective fields Tuesday, with soccer at Estes Stadium and volleyball at the Prince Center on Wednesday. Both basketball games will be played at the Farris Center on Thursday, and the football game will be at Estes Stadium on Friday.

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