[06/15/02]Most high school all-star games are fairly laid-back affairs, played for fun and good memories.

Today at Jackson’s Smith-Wills Stadium, the stakes will be higher. For first time in the history of the state’s public and private school associations, the two will square off on the diamond.

“It’s different. We just want to win and show them we’re better than they are. Show them what public schools are all about,” said Warren Central’s Brian Pettway, an Ole Miss signee who will lead the MHSAA Class 4A/5A all-stars against the MPSA Academy AAA/AAAA all-stars at noon.

Pettway will be joined on the MHSAA team by WC teammate John Morgan Mims and Vicksburg High’s J.J. Brown.

At 3 p.m., St. Aloysius’ Blake Warnock and Aaron George will head up the MHSAA Class 1A/2A/3A roster that will take on the MPSA Academy-A/AA all-stars. Porters Chapel shortstop T.J. Smith and Tallulah Academy pitcher Adam Thames will represent the MPSA.

“It’s going to be kind of cool being in the first one,” Thames said. “That’s going to be awesome. It’s something you’ll never forget. Hopefully this is something that will go on forever.”

Whether the game will even last past this year is in doubt.

The game was proposed to both sides last fall by the Crossroads Diamond Club, the sponsor of both the MHSAA and MPSA all-star games, and quickly accepted.

The historic deal between the MHSAA and MPSA that permitted teams from the associations to play each other in regular-season games helped pave the way for the game, but it has expired and won’t be renewed for next year.

Although the Diamond Club doesn’t need approval from either association for the MHSAA-MPSA game all of the players have graduated from high school the expiration of the deal has left the future of the games up in the air.

“We don’t know where this game is going,” said Les Triplett, MPSA director of activities. “That’s a great question, and I’m not sure I can answer it right now.”

If the players have their say, it will continue. Most seemed excited by the opportunity to face a new group of players and prove which association is best.

“There’s always been an argument over private schools versus public schools, and we finally get to play them,” said Mims, who was selected best offensive player in last weekend’s 17-inning MHSAA Class 4A/5A marathon, won by his North team 12-9.

The game is also another opportunity for players like Thames, Warnock and Mims to attract the attention of college scouts.

Unlike blue-chip prospects like Pettway and Brown who was drafted by the Kansas City Royals Mims, Warnock and Thames had solid high school careers but haven’t gotten a lot of attention from colleges.

“It’s a good chance to get my name out there and let people see me,” said Mims, who hit .330 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs for WC this season.

Thames was Tallulah’s ace this season, posting a 4-3 record with a 1.70 ERA and 80 strikeouts. It wasn’t enough to get the Trojans to the playoffs they finished third in Conference 7-A, behind PCA and Franklin but they wouldn’t have finished that high without him.

Some junior colleges and smaller four-year schools like Belhaven and Louisiana College have shown interest in Thames, but haven’t made firm offers yet.

“We could have shot his record up, but we saved him for Porters Chapel and games we couldn’t win without him,” said Thames’ father and coach, Jacky. “We didn’t do him any favors.”

Thames’ teammate on the MPSA team, Smith, said during the season that he had no plans to play college ball.

The Tallulah pitcher said he was still glad to have his longtime nemesis on the same side for once, however.

Smith hit .372 with three homers and 31 RBIs in 26 games this season for PCA, and also stole 16 bases.

“I’m glad he’s on our side this time. I’m sick of him playing shortstop against us,” Thames said with a laugh.

Their opponents will include Warnock, who hit .359 with 26 RBIs this season, and George, who hit .460 and also went 11-2 on the mound.

George displayed his hitting and pitching prowess in last week’s MHSAA Class 1A/2A/3A All-Star game by going 2-for-5 with a double, and by throwing three solid innings.

His South squad lost 7-5, but he earned the team’s MVP award for his effort.

He nearly didn’t play this weekend because he was planning on having his wisdom teeth removed. He postponed the surgery until next week.

“Last time would have been more serious,” George said of the two all-star games.

“This one will be serious, too, but fun.”