Montgomery Biscuits pitcher Josh Parker, a Calera native and Thompson High School graduate, was named a Southern League All-Star. Parker was selected to the Western Division All-Star team after recording 13 saves for the Biscuits in the first half of the season. The Montgomery team is the Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Calera standout George Drake participated in two high-profile basketball camps featuring some of the best high school players in the nation. Drake was invited to the Nike All-America Camp in Indianapolis and the NBA Top 100 players camp in Richmond, Va. Drake also competed in the AHSAA All-Star sports week held in Montgomery.

John Post, Terrance Harville, LaRico Crumpton, Tim Baker and Nick Thomas played in the North-South All-Star football game at Troy State University’s Movie Gallery Stadium. Melissa Holmes, Arrington Mooney, Lauren Vandiver, Jay Dalton Huey, Andrew Riley, William Gregory, David Elmer, Brad Smith and Scott Shelton competed in the boys and girls all-star soccer games.

Anna Cramer played in the all-star softball game. Pamela Cartagena, Casey Dent and Monika Tortorcini competed in the all-star volleyball game. George Drake and Michael Adams played in the all-star basketball game.

Spain Park finished third in the Southeastern Select 7-on-7 passing camp at Hoover High School. The camp, showcasing a bevy of top prospects from 16 teams around the nation, featured a tournament-style playoff of 20-minute games. Calera and Vincent were among 18 schools particpating in Samford University’s 7-on-7 passing camp at Seibert Stadium. Teams brought only skill players – quarterbacks, receivers and running backs on offense, and defensive backs and linebackers on defense.

– For More on 2004: The Year in Sports, pick up a copy of the Shelby County Reporter