Slowpitch softball remains a popular pastime in southwestMississippi and that’s clearly evident in this Friday’s high schoolall-star action. Six players and two coaches are representing thisarea in the 24th Annual Mississippi Association of CoachesSlowpitch Softball All-Star Games at Newton County.

The standout sextet includes Kolbi Lewis and Lacey Orr ofEnterprise-Lincoln, Hannah Knouse of West Lincoln, Leah Greer ofWesson and Kacey Smith and Desiree Buie of Franklin County.Coaching the South 1A/2A/3A squad are Andrew Redd and Lane Young ofWest Lincoln.

The players and coaches reported today for practice. Friday’saction starts at 5:30 p.m. at Mack Fanning Field in Decatur. TheClass 4A/5A/6A slowpitch twinbill starts at 8 p.m.

Fastpitch takes center stage Saturday, starting with the Class1A/2A/3A games at 10 a.m., followed by the Class 4A/5A/6A games at2 p.m.

This is the second all-star game for Redd, 42. He has been coachingat West Lincoln for 11 years. In 2009, he directed the Lady Bearsto a runners-up finish in the Class 1A state championshipseries.

Redd said he was happy to have Young working with him as anassistant. “We have been working together a good while. We knowwhat each of us wants to do.”

Redd said his all-star squad would practice Thursday night andFriday morning.

“You know the girls are going to be talented,” said Redd. “We wantthem to have fun, become friends and play together.”

He said adjusting from the spring fastpitch season could present aproblem for some of the players. “They’ve been playing fastpitchfor six months. We’ll do a lot of batting practice.”

Hannah Knouse, a 5-foot-7 infielder, played second base inslowpitch and shortstop in fastpitch. She has signed a basketballscholarship with Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Knouse batted .356 in slowpitch.

“Hannah did a great job on defense for us,” said Redd.

Kolbi Lewis, a 5-6 third baseman, wants to teach math and coachafter she graduates from college. She has signed a softballscholarship with Southwest Mississippi Community College.

As a senior, Lewis batted .464 for Coach Steve Sasser’s Lady YellowJackets.

“Kolbi is hard-nosed and aggressive,” said Sasser. “That’s the wayyou have to be when the ball comes down the line. She’s anexcellent defensive player with good hands.”

Lewis said she enjoyed playing for Sasser because, “he respectsyour opinion.”

Lacey Orr, a 5-9 pitcher, compiled a 16-8 record at Enterprise. Shebatted .412.

Sasser said Orr had exceptional control with her pitches. “Laceywas consistent. She was always around the plate and made very fewwalks. She was an excellent defensive player up the middle.”

Orr said she was looking forward to the all-star experience. “Weget to put back on our high school uniforms and that’s cool.”

Ironically, 2009 was the last slowpitch team at Enterprise. TheLady Jackets will concentrate on fastpitch in the future.

Sasser pointed out that both of his all-stars are scholar/athletes,excelling on the field and in the classroom.

Orr has signed a basketball scholarship with Southwest and she’llpursue a career in the medical field. She’ll work at a Southwestcamp next week.

Leah Greer, a 5-8 first baseman, batted .317 for the Lady Cobras asthey won the Region 6-2A championship. She’ll pursue a career innursing at Co-Lin.

“It’s a huge honor for me and I’m looking forward to the all-stargame,” said Greer. Her favorite college team is Ole Miss.

Wesson coach Jackie Johnson said Greer was an exceptional player.”She played good first base and her bat really helped usout.”

Kacey Smith, a 5-6 shortstop, batted .556 her senior year for theFranklin County Lady Bulldogs.

“Kacey reads the ball real well off the bat and covers the ground,”said her mother, FC Coach Dana Smith. “She’s very smartdefensively.”

Smith has signed with Co-Lin. She is considering a career innursing.

Desiree Buie, a 5-7 catcher/first baseman, starred for the LadyBulldogs at both positions. She batted .488 and collected 26RBIs.

“Desiree is a solid, all-around player who will give it everythingshe’s got,” said Coach Smith. “She’s strong with the bat and theglove.”

Buie, the school’s valedictorian, signed a scholarship with RhodesCollege of Memphis. She scored a 29 on her ACT.

She plans on entering the dental field.