A local high school basketball standout was selected to represent the state in the annual border showdown on the hardwood.

Selma High School center Kerry Mitchell was selected to play in the 22nd Annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Basketball Classic at Alabama State University’s Dunn-Oliver Acadome Friday, March 16 at 7 p.m.

Mitchell is one of 12 seniors from around the state who will report to Montgomery on Wednesday, March 14.

Mitchell said it’s a great feeling to be selected to play in the game, and he’s excited about the opportunity to put his talents on display and play with some of the state’s best players.

“I feel very excited about it,” Mitchell said. “I think I earned it. I earned the right to make it. I just have to play hard in order to be successful. It all means a lot to me.”

Selma High School head basketball coach Woodie Jackson said Mitchell’s selection for the game is a continuation of his strong play from last summer, and there’s more to Mitchell on the court than the casual observer may see.

“Last summer he was selected to play in the North-South game that brings together the best juniors in the state, and he proved himself to be the best big man in that game,” Jackson said. “Based on his play last summer and during the course of the year, the coaches realized that when you play in the all-star game it’s about toughness on the inside. He’s not a 6-9 kid, but at 6-5 he plays real well on the blocks and holds his own against most guys.”

Jackson also said it’s a great feeling for a coach to see his players receive such honors, and Selma High has a tradition of putting players on the big stage.

“It makes you feel good as a coach,” Jackson said. “Normally, in my coaching career we’ve had players play in either or both (Alabama-Mississippi game, and North-South All-Star Game). Last year we had two guys to play in the North-South game and one to play in the Alabama-Mississippi game.”