USA Baseball announced Sunday evening 32 players who will make up the player pool at August’s Junior National Team Trials in Joplin, Mo.

“The depth of good players from the Tournament of Stars is outstanding," said Victor Solis, will coach the 2007 JNT. "We considered a lot of players for the Trials. At one time, we had some 80 athletes under consideration. We have selected several left-handed hitters and pitchers, which is rare in baseball. From this group, I think we can form a team that will take advantage of opponents’ mistakes because of the speed we have. Our ultimate goal will be to qualify for next year’s World Championships while also winning a gold medal at this summer’s Pan Ams."

Apex High rising senior Corey Thompson and Michael Knox, who just graduated from Apex High, were not a part of the Trials player pool. Thompson and Knox were among the 144 players in Cary for the Tournament of Stars, which ran from June 19 until Sunday. Knox was a last-minute invite.

Cromie wins Junior All-Star

Cary’s Michael Cromie, a rising sophomore at Green Hope High, two-putted to victory on the 18th hole in a playoff against John Varol of Weddington to win the Junior All-Star at Jacksonville title.

“It’s pretty cool. I’m extremely happy right now,” said Cromie. “My long game took the nerves away today. It was steady all day. Other than my birdie putt on No. 14, I wasn’t really nervous out there.”

Cromie thought he had a two-stroke lead as he walked down No. 18, he said. Ten minutes later he was driven back to the 18th tee for a playoff. After another solid drive and a safe iron shot, Cromie made par to seize his first AJGA victory.

Cromie played bogey-free golf during the final round and hit 16 greens en route to a 3-under-par 69. He finished the tournament with a 7-under-par 209.

Knox second at N.C. Junior

Cary’s Andy Knox, a rising sophomore at Apex High, was the runner-up at the N.C. Junior Championship at Cedarbrook Country Club in Elkin.

Knox advanced to the final of the match-play tournament conducted by the Carolinas Golf Association after beating Raleigh’s Bo Andrews 2 and 1 in the semis.

In the final, Southern Pines’ Robert Hoadley beat Knox 1-up.

By reaching the final, Knox will be invited to participate on the Carolinas Junior Team in the Carolinas–Virginias Junior Team matches at Boonsboro Country Club in Lynchburg, Va., Aug. 18-19.

Kodali on top

Cary’s Anudeep Kodali, 9, won the boys’ 10 division Tar Heel Qualifier championship in Winston-Salem earlier this month. Kodali was the runner-up at the Southern 10s Closed Championship at the Lexington Tennis Complex in Lexington, S.C., June 16-19.

He won the Southern 10s doubles championship with Adam Elliget of South Carolina.

East-West games

The N.C. Coaches Association recently released the rosters for this summer’s East-West All-Star Games in Greensobro, and four Apex graduates will play in four seperate showcases.

Amy Dodd will play in the girls’ basketball game and Yorel Hawkins the boys. Those games are scheduled for July 16 at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Alyson Santilli will play in the girls’ soccer game and T.J. Beaulieu will play in the boys’ soccer game. They are scheduled for July 17 at UNC-G Soccer Stadium at 7 and 9 p.m.