By Ross Johnson

Sports Writer

The all-star softball teams of Troup County will put it all on the line today.

The teams, which include three from LaGrange and one from Hogansville, will head to various state-tournament destinations across Georgia, with the intention of taking home even more championship trophies.

The Georgia Recreation and Parks Association state tournaments begin today and wrap up Friday.

Many of the girls on each team have won at least one state title at some point during their all-star careers.

For the 9-10 age group, head coach Devin Arnold will lead his team to Cherokee County for the tournament, where five other teams will compete for the big prize.

The 11-12 group will have a strong Troup County presence, with one Troup County and another Hogansville squad competing against three other teams in Augusta.

Jamie Thrailkill coaches the Troup County 11-12 all-stars and Sam Hubbard leads the 11-12 Hogansville squad.

Hubbard said his team, which is comprised mostly of players from Hogansville, is not as experienced as the other Troup team.

However, he said the girls are young and talented with a thirst for victory.

“We have four 10-year-olds who are just as good as some 11 and 12-year-olds,” Hubbard said. “The other (Troup) team, they’ve got a lot of experience, but we’ve got so much talent I believe we a chance to be very competitive.”

Johnny Green leads the 13-14 all-star group, and they’ll head to Spalding County for a tournament that features four teams, including Troup.

If the history of these tournaments indicates how the 2009 edition will end up, then Troup will receive plenty of championship trophies.

The foundation of softball in the area is something special, according to Troup County Parks and Recreation Commission softball organizer Stephanie Mc-Crae.

“Troup County is able to win these tournaments consistently because the coaches and parents put in a lot of hard work and dedication,” McCrae said. “There’s a lot of support from everybody, including the volunteer coaches and the parks and rec.”

Hubbard said the Troup County all-star team will be the biggest obstacle toward winning the whole 11-12 tournament.

“The only team we’re worried about is the (Troup) team,” Hubbard said. “They’re older, so they have the advantage.”

Whatever happens this week, Hubbard believes the Hogansville all-star will be the team to beat in 2010.

“Next year, I believe we’ll definitely win it,” he said. “We’ll have everyone coming back.”

In other tournament news, Shuford Fields in LaGrange will serve as the host site for the ASA 12-and-under B Softball faspitch Southern Championship.

The tournament will be held July 23-26.