As soon as Taylor Smartt gets inside the chalk she is hustling. The rising Charles Henderson senior softball player does not know the meaning of quit. She has won many awards in her lifetime, but the most recent means the most to her. She was selected by a committee to play on the South squad in the North-South game as part of the AHSAA All-Star Sports Week July 12-17 in Huntsville.

“This feels good because a lot of people haven’t made it from Troy recently,” Smartt said. “It made me feel good to be selected among a bunch of girls who actually have talent and most of them will probably go on to the next level in some form or fashion.”

Smartt was limited in playing time last season because of knee surgery and her stats were not spectacular, but she said she believes she was selected for other reasons.

“I knew I had been put up for it, but I didn’t know if I would have a chance because I didn’t get to play much this year and I didn’t have outstanding numbers by any means,” Smartt said. “Knowing that I was hurt and they still thought I was decent enough to play in it made me feel good inside.”

Following a 6-32 campaign in 2009 with the Lady Trojans of Charles Henderson Smartt said she hopes playing in the North-South game can jump start her into her senior year.

She also said she hopes her playing in this game will get Charles Henderson recognized as having good talent.

“I want to represent Charles Henderson in a good way and let everyone know that we are not as bad as everyone says we are,” Smartt said. “And I want to let them know we are going to come back this year and fight.”

Smartt is like many of her teammates on the South squad when it comes to college. She has not made a decision yet, but she said playing in college would be something special.

“I would love to play at the next level,” she said. “The exposure at games like this is great.”

She may be the only softball player from Troy on the team, but four other Trojans will join Smartt in Huntsville for the all-star games.

Graduated senior Zeb Swindall will play for the South in the football game, rising seniors K.D. Edenfield and Chance Shaver will play for the South in baseball and rising senior Douglas McLendon will play for the South in soccer.

“I think we will be going up there Monday to watch the baseball game, but on Tuesday we can’t watch the soccer game because of practice, but I wanted to,” Smartt said. “I think all of us are thrilled we got to make it and we want to do good for the school.”

Smartt and the softball South squad take on the North for a doubleheader beginning at 6 p.m. July 15.