MACON - On Saturday, all three Newton County Minor League All-Star teams (Southern, American and National) traveled to North Macon Park to compete in the Dixie Youth District All-Star Tournament.

In the end, the American All Stars (5-1 overall) won the tournament in six games, scoring 72 runs to defeat both of the other county squads.

In their quest for the state tournament, they crushed Schley County, 18-0, before beating the National All Stars, 16-2, North Macon, 14-4, and the Southern All Stars, 12-8.

After winning the four games, the American All Stars faced their last two contests against North Macon.

North Macon gave the American All Stars their first and only loss of the tournament in the first game, 7-1. However, it was a different story in the championship game, as the local squad won, 11-1.

"The biggest surprise of the tournament was the extra-inning game against the Southern team," said American All Stars head coach Eddie Jones. "We had to come back and play the next day against the North Macon team after beating the Southern team. The boys were just worn out."

Assisted by coaches Denny Hewell and Don Ritchie, the American All Stars include players Hunter Davidson, Blake Earnest, Madison Earnest, Chase Gilstrap, Conner Hewell, Jake Jones, Jarad Jones, Hunter Phillips, Jerry Pike, Austin Richardson, Gray Ritchie and Dawson Stegal.

For the National All Stars, after winning their first game of the double elimination tournament against the Southern All Stars, 6-3, they lost their next two games, falling to the American All Stars, 16-2, and North Macon, 16-6, ending their hopes in reaching the state tournament.

The National All Stars, coached by Mike Hipps, Ricky Ergle and Bill Rutledge, include players Chandler Burrell, Brayden Ergle, Austin Gates, Gregory Hill, Michael Hipps, Stevie Howard, William Rutledge, Mike Terry, Dawson White, Brandon Williams and Dakota Young.

Regarding the Southern All Stars, after losing their first game against the National All Stars, 6-3, they topped Schley County, 13-3, and Warner Robbins, 17-0.

Leading the entire way until the final inning, they eventually lost their second and last game in dramatic fashion against the American All Stars, 12-8.

Coached by Dale Powell, Johnny Brown and Greg Evans, the Southern All Stars include players Jacob Bowen, Austin Brown, Brelan Crowe, Hunter Edmondson, Drew Evans, Joey Evans, Avery Miller, D.J. Powell, Phillip Rowe, Ryan Smith, Garrett Stone and Austin Taylor.

According to Jones, he said he was extremely proud of how all three Newton County teams played and conducted themselves in the tournament.

The American All Stars will represent Newton County in the state tournament beginning Saturday at Manchester.