Tamara Williams has dreamed of playing college basketball since she was 12 years old.

Since that time she has spent most of her summers playing AAU ball to sharpen her skills between school basketball seasons.

Next week the Thompson High School junior will have her best chance yet to make an impression on some folks who could help make her dream a reality.

Williams, a 6-foot-1 forward, was selected to the North roster for the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s All-Star Sports Week.

The event will feature some of the top high school juniors in the state as they square off in all-star games for basketball, baseball, softball, soccer and volleyball.

Williams is well aware that the convergence of talent in one place &045;&045; Huntsville will host the weeklong event &045;&045; will likely draw a host of college coaches and recruiters.

&uot;I’m very excited about it because it’s an opportunity to compete in front of college recruiters and compete against some of the best talent in the state.&uot;

Williams will also use the experience to identify points of her game that need improvement, she said, as she faces off against other all-stars during practice and during the actual contest next Thursday at the University of Alabama at Huntsville’s Spragins Hall.

There will be some familiar faces for Williams, who has played against several players on the North and South rosters, including center Shanavia Dowdell of Calera, a member of the South squad.

The girls game begins at 6 p.m. with the boys game following at 8 p.m.

Two baseball games will be held Monday at Joe Davis Stadium starting at 4 p.m.

Girls soccer begins at 5 p.m. Tuesday at John Hunt Park, followed by boys soccer at 7 p.m.

Two softball games will be held Wednesday at the Kiwanis Sportsplex starting at 6 p.m.

A best-of-five volleyball match will be held Thursday at 2 p.m.

Thompson High School and Briarwood Christian School each have three athletes competing during the all-star week.

Oak Mountain has the most of any county school with seven representatives. The Eagles will also be represented by two coaches.

Basketball coach Jerry North will coach for the North boys team

while Danny DuBose will coach the North softball squad