Rising Charles Henderson High School senior softball player Taylor Smartt was named the MVP of the South All-Star team on Wednesday at the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s 13th annual All-Star Sports Week.

Smartt played in both games of the doubleheader that pitted the South All-Stars against the North All-Stars, going 3-3 with two runs scored and one RBI.

Despite her impressive performance, Smartt said she did not expect to be named her team’s MVP.

“I was completely shocked,” Smartt said. “I figured out pitcher would get it. But, it definitely is a huge honor.”

While the North swept the South, Smartt’s performance was unquestionably impressive.

In the first game, Smartt had a fifth-inning leadoff single that would end up being the South’s only hit of the game.

Smartt would later score the South’s only run of the 3-1 loss when she came around to score on a throwing error.

The South’s offense came alive in the second game, with Smartt leading the way once again. Smartt had a bunt single in the second inning and came around to score on an RBI single by Gina Davis.

In the fourth inning, Smartt singled through the right side to drive in Jessica Rogers and put the South up 7-4.

Unfortunately for the South, the North would rally for five unanswered runs in the last three innings to win 9-7 and complete the sweep.

Even though Smartt could not lead her team to victory, she said just being able to play was a thrill.

“It was fun to know I was out there playing with some of the best players in the state,” Smartt said. “At the same time, it was kind of an honor to even get to play.”

With All-Star Sports Week behind her, Smartt will now turn her attention to her senior year at CHHS and attempting to improve upon the Trojans’ 6-32 2009 season.

“I’m just glad to start my senior year off with a bang,” Smartt said. “Hopefully, this means good things are going to happen.”