The lights aren’t as bright for the athletic talent in Selma-Dallas County, but the Queen City of the Black Belt was well-represented at the AHSAA North-South All-Star basketball game at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome on Alabama State University’s campus in Montgomery Wednesday night.

Selma High’s Ta’Sharri Grimes and Southside High School’s Derrick Griffin were both selected to the South All-Star teams. Griffin didn’t attend, but Grimes had her name called over the PA system during the player introductions as she joined several of the state’s top high school talent for a competitive exhibition game.

The All-Star game is not only great exposure for student-athletes, but also for the city of Selma.

I’ve seen the talent at the high-school games, off-season play dates and even in the gym at the YMCA of Selma and Dallas County. There are future stars in the making if they have the drive to put the work in.

Grimes and Griffin were selected to the All-Star teams because their production last season said they deserved to be there. The opportunity to play on a big stage is there for athletes in Selma and Dallas County.

Even though the bleachers may not always be packed, someone is always watching. Someone is watching to see if you’re too tired to finish the game in overtime. Someone is watching to see if you lose your cool and cost your team a technical foul. Someone is watching to see if you have what it takes to make it at the next level.

The talent is here, but the rest is up to you.

The time to be ready is not the time to get ready. Put in the work when no one is looking, and just maybe, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your talent on a bigger stage with brighter lights.

Thomas Scott is the sports reporter for The Selma Times-Journal. He can be reached at thomas.scott@selmatimesjournal.com.