Over the course of three seasons at the top of Warren Central’s lineup, Marcus Ragan has established himself as one of the team’s biggest offensive threats. Taft Nesmith, meanwhile, is just beginning to come into his own.

Both players will get to share a statewide spotlight, however, once the season is over.

Ragan and Nesmith were both selected to play in the D.M. Howie Mississippi All-Star games June 6 at Trustmark Park in Pearl.

Ragan, an East Mississippi Community College signee, will play in the Class 4A-5A-6A game while Nesmith will play in a separate game for juniors.

St. Aloysius outfielder Connor Smith was picked to play in the Class 1A-2A-3A all-star game.

Smith, who didn’t play baseball as a freshman or sophomore, has hit .333 in the two seasons since he returned to the team.

Smith is hitting .375 this season, and also become a key part of the Flashes’ pitching staff.

All-star Saturday will include the usual Class 1A-2A-3A game at 11 a.m. and the 4A-5A-6A game at 6 p.m. It’s the first time the juniors’ game has been part of the lineup, and that one will be sandwiched in the middle at 2 p.m.

“It’s pretty cool. I feel like I’m making history,” Nesmith said. “I’m pretty excited about it. It feels pretty good to know that I’m being noticed for putting in the work.”

Nesmith has been enjoying a breakout season in 2015. Used mainly as a relief pitcher and backup outfielder his freshman and sophomore years, the left-handed junior is hitting .275 with 13 RBIs.

He’s also continued to improve as a pitcher, with a 2-0 record and 2.36 ERA in five appearances. In 2013, he was 1-2 with a 5.08 ERA in 10 games.

Nesmith threw a complete game in last week’s division title clinching win over Clinton.

“I feel like I’ve been hitting the ball pretty good,” Nesmith said. “I’ve been pitching all right. I haven’t been pitching that much. But I’ve been hitting a lot better than I ever have before in the last couple of years.”

Ragan, meanwhile, has been better than ever as the Vikings’ leadoff hitter. He’s batting .404 with 11 RBIs, 21 runs scored and 10 stolen bases.

In three years as a starter, Ragan has 51 stolen bases, 84 runs scored, and is a career .375 hitter.

As much as his offensive production, Ragan said he felt defense helped him get the all-star nod.

“Just getting on base and trying to score runs for the team,” Ragan said. “And then another big part is defense. Trying to keep the other team from scoring. I’m pretty proud of my defense.”

Ragan signed with East Mississippi in February, and said the all-star selection is the latest cherry on a season-long sundae.

“It’s just a blessing. All of the hard work over the past four or five years, and the support of my coaches and teammates, it’s a real big honor and a privilege.”