The Mississippi All-Stars hope to even their basketball series with the Alabama All-Stars and two local players and a coach will try to help them do that.

Alabama’s boys and girls all-star basketball teams swept Mississippi last year to give both teams a 5-4 lead in their series.

This year’s contests will be played June 10 at Frank Branch Coliseum on the campus of Holmes Community College in Goodman.

Natchez High head coach Mike Martin will assist Lanier coach Thomas Billups.

Senior forward David Haywood was selected for the Mississippi boys team, while Jefferson County’s Shaquita Smith will compete for the Mississippi girls squad.

&uot;After being named all-state, I thought I might have a chance to be selected to the all-star team,&uot; said Haywood, who averaged 23 points a game. &uot;I’m just happy it all worked out.&uot;

Haywood, who is being recruited by Southern Mississippi, Louisiana Tech, LSU, South Alabama and Alcorn, said playing in the all-star game presents a golden opportunity.

&uot;It’s a chance for other people to see what you can do,&uot; he said.

Natchez finished the season 24-10, capturing the Division 6-5A Tournament championship and defeating Gulfport in a first round State State contest.

The Bulldogs fell to Biloxi by two points before falling to eventual state champion Harrison Central at the South State Tournament.

&uot;I thought we had a good year,&uot; Haywood said. &uot;We didn’t win state, so I can’t be satisfied about that, but we still accomplished a lot.&uot;

The 6-foot-5, 170-pound Haywood was Natchez’s go-to guy in crucial situations.

Haywood, the son of Rose Haywood, said he looks to play at the No. 2 guard position at the next level.

&uot;I’ve got to get a step faster and stronger,&uot; he said. &uot;I can handle the ball and shoot.&uot;

Smith, who plans on attending Copiah-Lincoln, averaged 30 points and 15 rebounds a game.

&uot;I’m just happy I had a lot of people supporting me,&uot;&160;she said. &uot;It’s a big accomplishment.&uot;

Smith, the daughter of Paul Williams and Stella Smith, said being selected as part of the team is a great confidence builder.

&uot;It helps with my self-esteem,&uot; she said.

Jefferson County finished 29-7, advancing to the Class 3A semifinals for the second straight year. The Lady Tigers fell to Forest High in a bid to reach the title game.

&uot;We had a great team this year and played good defense,&uot; Smith said. &uot;It was disappointing not to go farther, but it was still quite a season to go as far as we did.&uot;

Smith will play at basketball Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

&uot;I’m hoping to go on and play Division I ball,&uot; she said.

Smith, the daughter of Paul Williams and Stella Smith, said she grew up with the game. Her father played basketball at Arkansas-Little Rock.

&uot;I grew up around all kind of people who played ball,&uot; she said.

Smith said she has aspirations of playing in the WNBA.

&uot;I’m working hard on my dribbling and jump shot,&uot; she said.&uot;

The girls game tips off at 1 p.m., while the boys game will tip off at 3 p.m.

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