Bishop England High School baseball player Reese Havens' stock continues to rise.
The all-state shortstop is a late addition to the East roster for the 2005 All-American Baseball Game, which will be played June 13 at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, N.M. He was one of 75 players nominated for the all-star game, which will be broadcast on Fox Sports Net.
Havens is batting .513 and has a .950 slugging percentage and 40 RBIs. He has 15 doubles and five homers, and has struck out only two times in 111 plate appearances.
"Man, what a senior year Reese has had," all-star game director Dana Lehner said in a press release. "When we started the process, Reese was not on the immediate national radar, but we, along with everyone else, couldn't help but take notice when he exploded onto the scene during his senior year. Now Reese sits squarely in the middle of the best players in the country thanks to his major league type body and a smooth, easy left-handed (hitting) stroke. He really deserves to play amongst the best 36 players in the country and we're glad to get him to Albuquerque."
Havens joins Stratford first baseman Justin Smoak on the East roster.
"I'm excited to play," said Havens, who has helped the Bishops reach the Class AA State championship Series against Emerald. "It's a pretty big privilege. It's going to be fun. Justin Smoak and I are good friends, so it's going to be a great time. I can't wait.
Havens and Smoak have signed to play with the South Carolina Gamecocks. But both players could end up opting for professional careers depending on what happens in next month's draft.
Stratford's John Chalus will serve as a coach for the East squad.
Bishop England and Stratford can claim state titles with victories tonight, as both teams lead 1-0 in their best-of-three series.
Bishop England is at Emerald in a Class AA game, while Stratford visits Mauldin in Class AAAA.
ALL-STATE SOFTBALL
The SC Coaches Association of Women's Sports (CAWS) has announced its all-state softball teams.
Local players making the Class AAAA team include: Toni Flessate, Stratford; Jessica Strickland, Fort Dorchester, Stacey Kizer, Stratford; Darla Roberson, Summerville; Ashley Harbor, Goose Creek; Baillie Denson, Fort Dorchester and Ashley Adams, Wando.
Courtney Tukcer of Bluffton was the only local player selected to the Class AAA team.
The local selections in Class AA include Emma Young, Tiara Mitchell and Christine Ermer of Bishop England.
Molly Baker of Academic Magnet made the Class A team.
REGION 6-AA STARS
Bishop England's Emma Young has been named the Region 6-AA softball player of the year, while the Bishops' Steve Legette, who led the team to the Lower State Championship Series, is the coach of the year.
Other Bishops named to the team include Tiara Mitchell, Jenna Davidson, Christine Ermer and Lauren Grisillo.
Hanahan's picks include Kelly Dillon, Teresa Haynes and Chelsea Sineath.
Dana Lambert and Lauren Alford are Andrew's selections. Keoshia Velez of Stall and Christine Kent of Garrett Tech also made the team.
Philip M. Bowman can be reached at 937-5592.
