MONTGOMERY – Lonnie Smith, a 6-foot-5 senior guard who helped the Ramsay Rams win the 2010 Class 4A state boys basketball championship, has been added to the Alabama roster for the 20^th annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic to be played March 19 at the Pelham Civic Complex with the girls game at 5 p.m., followed by the boys contest at 7. Tickets will be available at the Pelham Civic Complex box office.

            Smith replaces Keylon Harrell of Brewbaker Tech. Harrell, a Virginia early signee, asked to be removed from the squad due to a previous family commitment.

            The teams report to Pelham on Wednesday, March 17 with a press conference planned to introduce the players and coaches for both teams planned for 6:30 p.m. that day at the Pelham Civic Complex.

            Alabama holds a 10-9 edge in the boys series. The Alabama girls hold an 11-8 edge including three wins in a row heading into this year’s contest.

            Smith joins the Alabama boys squad, selected by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association’s Basketball All-Star Committee, already strong at the guard position. He joins Ramsay teammate Ralph Floyd, the Rams point guard and MVP of the Final 48 Class 4A state tourney. Ramsay’s Kelly Cheatham joins Greene County’s Rodney Wesley as coaches for the Alabama boys squad.

            Cheatham’s Rams went 24-8 and beat Brewbaker Tech in the finals to claim the Class 4A championship at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Wesley led Greene County’s Tigers to a 23-7 record and the Class 3A state championship – beating Madison Academy in the finals.

            Coaching the Alabama girls team will be Reggie Ware of Midfield and Herbert Blackmon of J.F. Shields. Ware’s Lady Patriots (18-13) won the Class 4A title for the fourth consecutive year. Blackmon’s Lady Panthers won the Class 1A crown while finishing the season at 29-0 – the AHSAA’s only undefeated team in 2009-10.

            Mississippi’s tall boys team includes 6-8 Jalen Courtney of Provine and 6-8, 295-pound Demarco Cox of Yazoo City. Coaching the Mississippi boys team are Jay Ladner of St. Stanislaus and Danny Grieves of St. Patrick with Luther Riley of Provine serving as administrative coach.

            The Mississippi girls team, anchored by 6-3 center Janairrika Bland of Raymond, is coached by Felecia Lofton of Clinton and Mike Coleman of Quitman. Gulfport’s Donny Fuller is serving the administrative assistant coaching role.

            The complete rosters include:

              

ALABAMA BOYS ALL-STAR ROSTER

GUARDS: QuaShawn Carpenter, Greene County, 6-5; Damien Carr, Edward Bell, 5-11; Ralph Floyd, Ramsay, 5-11; Lonnie Smith, Ramsay, 6-5; Terence Smith, Russellville, 6-3; Ralston Turner, Muscle Shoals, 6-6.

FORWARDS: Coty Clarke, Pinson Valley, 6-6; Neiko Hunter, Greene County, 6-6; Quintarius Hutchinson, Anniston, 6-5; Kendal Jennings, Sparkman, 6-6; Josh Langford, Lee-Huntsville, 6-6.

CENTERS: Brandon Battle, R.C. Hatch, 6-5.

 

MISSISSIPPI  BOYS ALL-STAR ROSTER

GUARDS: Jeremiah Dunnings, Biloxi, 5-11; Kelsey Howard, Vicksburg, 6-4; Trency Jackson, Wingfield, 6-2; DeMarcus Lewis, Canton, 6-3; Dundrecous Nelson, Murrah, 5-11; Andre Stringer, Forest Hill, 5-10; Edward Townsel, Starkville, 6-0.

FORWARDS: Javerik Nelson, Callaway, 6-7; Rashad Perkins, Starkville, 6-5; Willie Readus, Morton, 6-6.

CENTERS: Jalen Courtney, Provine, 6-8; Demarco Cox, Yazoo City, 6-8.

 

ALABAMA GIRLS ALL-STAR ROSTER

GUARDS: Meghan Dunn, Hoover, 5-7; KaTia May, Sumter County, 5-3; Jazmine Saxton, Fairfield, Sr.; Courtney Strain, Woodland, 5-9; Brittany Young, Midfield, 5-11.

FORWARDS: Miranda Liles, Brooks, 6-2; Makena Randle, Bob Jones, 5-8; Erin Reynolds, Russellville, 5-9; Tyrese Tanner, Hoover, 6-0.

CENTERS: Shanece McKinney, LeFlore, 6-4; Destiny Samuels, Ramsay, 6-2; Tiffany Stephens, Bessemer City, 6-1;

 

MISSISSIPPI  GIRLS ALL-STAR ROSTER

GUARDS: Kelcia Bufkin, Scott Central, 5-6; Bree’Anna Lewis, Greenville, 5-7; Valencia McFarland, Raymond, 5-4; Nitesha Pierce, Harrison-Central, 5-9; Niesha Pierce, Harrison-Central, 5-9; Antonekia Williams, Clinton, 5-3.

FORWARDS: Norianna Haynes, Northeast Lauderdale, 5-10; Amber Jackson, Tupelo, 5-9; Chasity Kearney, South Panola, 5-10. 

CENTERS: Janairrika Bland, Raymond; Jenisha Jackson, North Panola, 6-3