Basketball is king in Selma, and the city has the talent to match.

This week, Selma High School basketball standouts Charles Eaton and Malcolm Riley, were invited to play with Alabama’s best during the Alabama All-Star Week in Huntsville.

“It feels really good,” said Riley. “I feel like all of my hard work paid off. All that time in the gym, doing individual workouts, it just feels rewarded now.”

Riley said he arrived in Huntsville at 8 a.m. Tuesday morning and has been busy practicing with the South squad.

“We have had the chance to have a couple of practices and do other things like go out and watch a movie,” said Riley. “It has been a really neat experience so far.”

Eaton was also selected to play on alongside his Saints teammate, but was unable to due to his travel team.

“I was really looking forward to playing,” said Eaton. “I was upset that I didn’t get the chance to go. I was planning on going up (Wednesday) morning, but I guess since I missed some practices they picked someone else in my place.”

Eaton said he was disappointed that he would miss the experience.

“It was going to be packed,” said Eaton. “A lot of people were going to watch. It would have been fun to play in.”

Selma High School men’s coach Woodie Jackson said all the credit should go to the kids to made the All-Star team.

“They have worked very hard in order to get to this point,” said Jackson. “They have not only worked hard on the court, but the classroom as well. It takes the same discipline to work hard in the school and then come and work hard in the gym.”

Jackson said having players be recognized for their hard work could motivate younger basketball players.

Riley believes having two players selected shows something a little different.

“It means that the rest of the teams better watch out because we are coming for the 5A state title.”