Competing against the best: Thorsby’s Matt Morgan, left, and Chilton County High School’s Blake Teel were chosen for the All-Star Sports Week baseball game on Monday.

Thorsby’s Matt Morgan and Chilton County High School’s Blake Teel are looking forward to the most significant opportunity—and the biggest challenge—of their baseball careers.

The two rising seniors will participate in the 17th annual All-Star Sports Week organized by the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

Morgan and Teel will suit up for the South team in the all-star game, playing alongside and against some of the best baseball players in the state.

Thorsby’s Ab Argent will serve as one of the South team’s coaches.

“I think it’ll be fun to be around different players from throughout the state—just the level of talent that will be there,” Argent said. “It’s a neat opportunity.”

Players report to Auburn University-Montgomery on Sunday and take in a Montgomery Biscuits game Sunday night.

A workout will be held Monday at Paterson Field, and the all-stars will play two games beginning at 4 p.m. Monday at Riverwalk Stadium.

“It’s an honor to be chosen to play in this,” Argent said. “The biggest thing for me is just the exposure. My opinion is there will be some kids that will get signed (to college scholarships) out of this.”

Argent said coaches will try to get all players maximum exposure. With 18 players on each roster, many of them will be asked to man positions other than their primary ones.

That suits Morgan and Teel just fine. They’re used to playing at multiple spots.

Teel said he expects to pitch as well as play third base and outfield. He did all of that during the regular season for CCHS.

Teel said he takes pride in his mental approach to the game.

“I’d like to play at the [Division I] level one day,” he said. “Right out of high school, I wouldn’t mind going to a [junior college] for a couple of years to get bigger and stronger.”

Teel said he’s been prepared well by CCHS coach Josey Shannon and by playing for the Alabama Baseball Academy team based in Pelham this summer.

Morgan, meanwhile, has committed to play college baseball for the University of Alabama.

“The coaches fit my playing style, and it was one of those places where I got on campus and I knew that’s where I wanted to be,” he said.

The all-star game will help him get ready for the high competition level.

“It’s kind of cool to be considered one of the better players in the state,” he said.

But Teel knows his and Morgan’s primary purpose for the all-star event: “Just go have fun,” he said.