NATCHEZ — When the Mississippi Association of Coaches Girls Basketball All-Star Game tips off at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mississippi College’s A.E. Wood Coliseum in Clinton, it will do so with quite a bit of Natchez flair.

Three Natchezians will be participating in the game, two players and a coach.

Rising seniors Alia Frank and Ashley Morrison will represent Natchez High in the game while Lady Bulldog coach Sue Johnson will be one of the co-coaches, along with Philadelphia High School girls basketball coach Jason Gentry.

“It’s very exciting to have two players representing Natchez High in the game,” Johnson said. “It shows we’re steadily improving each year. It’s nice to be recognized for hard work.”

Johnson has coached in two softball all-star games but this will be her first experience coaching in the basketball game.

“It’s nice to be selected,” Johnson said. “I’ve been the head coach here for four years and it is an honor. Through the hard work of the girls and the coaching staff (assistants Alexine Profice, Charles Credit and head trainer Steven Sumpter), it’s a well-deserved honor.”

Both Frank and Morrison said they were excited about being selected and looking forward to the weekend.

“It feels wonderful. It shows the hard work has paid off,” Frank said.

“We’ve been working out at the gym a lot getting ready for it,” Morrison added. “We’re looking forward to the competition.”

Both players were nominated by Johnson and selected by a panel of coaches at an MAC meeting.

Frank was selected outright while Morrison was named to the alternate’s list.

However, when a player from Southeast Lauderdale High School pulled out of the game, Morrison was added to the South team.

“I was speechless when I found out I had made the team,” Morrison said. “I have to thank coach Johnson for getting me No. 1 on the alternate’s list.

While Morrison may have been speechless after finding out, her fingers still worked just fine.

“I wasn’t at school the day she found out she had made the team, so I didn’t know,” Frank said. “But she sent me a text message that said ‘I made the All-Star team!’ I was just as happy as she was.”

The game consists of rising high school seniors from the south and north, who will play in front of college coaches.

Knowing that they’re practicing and playing in front of people who can hold their basketball playing future in their hands can make some players nervous, but both Frank and Morrison say they’re ready.

“I’m nervous but always ready,” Frank said.

While both players are playing for Natchez High in the All-Star game, only one of them will be playing for the Lady Bulldogs next season.

Morrison has already registered to attend Adams County Christian School her senior year, but will represent Natchez High in the game because that’s the school that nominated her.

Johnson said she’s disappointed that Morrison won’t be back at Natchez High next year, but supports her in her decision.

“I want what’s best for her and wish her the best,” Johnson said. “I would love to have her back, but the decision is hers. I wish her well whichever road she takes.”

Johnson also said she hopes the girls get some support from the local community on Saturday.

“I want people to come cheer us on and support us,” Johnson said. “The support for us has been great this year and it means a lot to us. I wish it to continue.”