By By Marty Stamper/The Meridian Star
July 13, 2001
When it comes to high school soccer, this year's crop of area seniors didn't get a whole lot of respect when the rosters were chosen for the sixth-annual Coca-Cola All-Star Girls' and 19th-annual Boys' Games.
Only two girls were chosen – forward Erin Brown and midfielder Ramey Rush of Meridian's Class 5A state runner-up team. Rush will play for the South team in an effort to give the South girls their first victory in the series. Brown will not play due to a tennis tournament, Meridian coach Pat Ross said.
No area boys were selected.
The girls' game is slated for 6 p.m. Saturday at Joe Renfroe Stadium on the campus of Hinds Community College in Raymond with the boys to follow at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person and are good for both games.
The North had won each of the first four girls' games before the South battled to a 1-1 tie last year.
Brown scored 21 goals in her senior season at Meridian, while Rush tallied 20 times. Both had 11 assists. Their 41 combined goals was half of Meridian's team scoring of 82 goals.
Rush was a first team all-state selection both her junior and senior years, while Brown was a first team pick as a junior.
Rush will continue her soccer career at Ole Miss, while Brown will attend the University of Alabama-Birmingham but will not play soccer.
Among the top scorers for the North girls are forward Rennice Sherard of Madison Central with 33 goals, halfback Courtney Chapman of Class 5A state champion Vicksburg with 29 goals, and forward Jessica Malone of Grenada with 23 goals.
South coaches are Fred Schelver of Brandon and Karl Friedrich of Harrison Central. North coaches are Mike Curley of Madison Central and Kevin Manton of Vicksburg.
The South holds a 7-4-8 advantage in the boys' games after last year's 4-1 win.
Top scorers for the South are forward Paul Meneses of Class 1A/2A/3A state champion Mercy Cross with 42 goals and wing/forward Jason Lowery of Petal with 26 goals.
Top scorers for the North are forward Christopher Hodges of Grenada with 41 goals, midfielder/forward Josh Belenchia of Cleveland and midfielder David Routman of Cleveland, both with 28 goals, and forward/midfielder Chris McAlilly of Tupelo with 20 goals.
One of the more interesting players is North midfielder/center Teddy DiBiase of Clinton. He's the son of former professional wrestler Ted "The Million Dollar Man" DiBiase.
South coaches are Andy Kivlan of St. Stanislaus and Randy West of Brandon. North coaches are Anjan Karmacharya of Columbus and Michael Curry of Grenada.
Players reported to Hinds Thursday.
Marty Stamper is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at mstamper@themeridianstar.com.