By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
EL DORADO - The 2017 AHSCA All-Star Games begin today in Conway with the softball and baseball games. Most of the athletes have had weeks or even months to prepare. Parkers Chapel’s Bailey Norwood had a few hours.
Norwood was a last-minute replacement for the East girls basketball team, which tips off Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Farris Center. The 5-7 forward said she was surprised to get the call Saturday from Pocahontas coach Harlan Davis.
“I wasn’t expecting it,” she said. “But, as soon as he called me, I knew I wanted to. I sort of thought my basketball days were over and I’d never get to play again. That was really why I wanted to go play.”
Norwood averaged 15.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game for the Lady Trojans. She shot 67 percent from the free throw line and 52 percent from the field.
Norwood, a multi-sport athlete for the Lady Trojans in basketball, tennis and softball, left for Conway on Monday. She admitted she isn’t in mid-season form. But, the opportunity for one more run on the court was one she couldn’t pass up.
“It’s pretty big. I’m glad to be back on the court again,” she said. “It won’t be with my team. It will be with people I don’t know, of course. But, it’ll definitely be a learning experience.
“I’m just glad to get to play another day.”
Other Union County athletes in Conway this week include El Dorado’s Mekaylan Hicks, who will suit up for the West in the girls basketball game. El Dorado’s Czar Perry will play for the West in the boys basketball game, which tips off Thursday at 8 p.m.
El Dorado’s Landrey Harrell and Tyler Smith will compete in the girls and boys soccer games, respectively. The girls play Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Estes Stadium, followed by the boys at 7 p.m.
The football game will be held Friday at 7 p.m. at Estes Stadium. Junction City’s Corde Meadows and Smackover’s Reave Mullens will play for the East.