It’s fitting that Saturday’s Mississippi Association of Coaches softball all-star games will be played in a doubleheader format.

For Cookie Johnson, it’s will complete a unique all-star doubleheader.

Johnson, an outfielder for Warren Central, will play in the slow-pitch game on Saturday at Newton County High School. In April, she participated in the Mississippi-Alabama basketball all-star game.

Including the MAC North/South all-star basketball game in 2004, when Johnson was a junior, this will actually be her third all-star game in the last 12 months.

“It’s an honor to be picked for basketball and softball,” Johnson said. “If I could get picked for another game, I’d love to get picked.”

WC pitcher Lauren Anderson will also participate in the softball all-star extravaganza. She’ll play for the South in the fast-pitch game, which begins at noon at Newton County.

The North and South will play two fast-pitch games, followed by a best-of-three slow-pitch series starting at 4 p.m. Admission is $5, and is good for all of the games.

For Anderson, the all-star game wraps up a stellar prep career. The six-year starter – Anderson began her career as a seventh grader – has had a decision in 121 of the 144 fast-pitch games WC has ever played.

The Meridian Community College signee compiled a 78-43 record during her time in the circle, and was selected The Vicksburg Post’s Player of the Year this spring after leading WC to the Class 5A South State finals.

“It’s a great feeling,” Anderson said of playing in the all-star game. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I’m very excited.”

Anderson will face some stiff competition in the all-star game. The North features three players from Class 5A champion Southaven and two from semifinalist Clinton. Anderson said she wasn’t intimidated at the prospect of pitching against a murderer’s row, though.

“The North is loaded, so it gives me a good idea of what I’m going to be facing next year,” Anderson said. “I don’t really get intimidated. You just get out there and pitch, and do your best.”

Johnson’s contributions to WC’s program were a little different.

She helped WC’s basketball team reach the Class 5A semifinals last season and didn’t report for fast-pitch until a few weeks into the season. She still hit .289, though, was a four-year starter, and was a powerful cleanup hitter who was a home run threat – in or out of the park – in every at-bat.

Johnson was even better in slow-pitch. She hit .536 in her senior season, with 10 triples, 29 RBIs and 40 runs scored.

“I like slow-pitch better,” Johnson said. “You get to hit the ball. In fast-pitch, you strike out too much.”

Johnson signed with the University of New Orleans to play basketball after averaging 15.6 points and 9.4 rebounds last season. She was named the Vicksburg Post’s girls basketball Player of the Year three times.

Johnson said she prefers basketball, but still plays softball whenever she can.

“I still play softball sometimes. I play in a women’s league in Vicksburg. It helps you stay in shape,” Johnson said. “If I had to choose between softball and basketball, I’d choose basketball.”