Michael Young - Sports Editor

Kaylyn Huggins is the first female soccer player from Barnwell High selected to play in the classic.

Kaylyn Huggins of Barnwell High School girls varsity soccer team has been selected to participated in the 2009 North/South All-Star game.

The contest will be held at noon Saturday, June 13 at Wofford College.

Huggins was chosen from a pool of more than 60 players throughout the state. Huggins is the first female soccer player from Barnwell High School to be selected to the soccer classic.

Huggins said she's grateful to be chosen.

"It's a great honor for me to be selected to play in such a prestigious game. My goal is to go out and represent my school well," Huggins said. "I'd like to thank my parents, grandparents, coaches, teammates and the community of Barnwell for their great support of our soccer team throughout the years."

Huggins, a four-year starter for the Lady Warhorses, is known mostly for her offensive aggressiveness.

The senior forward leaves as the all-time leading scorer at the school with 45 goals. That number could have been higher if she's didn't suffer injury to her anterior cruciate ligament in her knee four games into last season. The injury caused Huggins to missed 20 games.

Despite last season setback, Huggins rebounded with a superb performance this year, leading the team and region with 20 goals.

Huggins is the third family member to play in an all-star classic.

She follows in the footsteps of her uncles and former Warhorses Bru Pender and Britt Pender. Bru Pender played in the North/South football and baseball All Star games.

Britt Pender, who is currently an assistant coach for the varsity baseball team, played in the North/South baseball All-Star game.

Barnwell High head coach Michael Allen said a player the caliber of Kaylyn Huggins don't come around often.

"Kaylyn Huggins is a tremendous competitor and I just like to say how proud I am to have had the opportunity to coach her," Allen said.

"Huggins is a leader and a motivator. She plays hard to the whistle blows and never gives up. She's definitely made my job easier the two seasons I've been here. I will surely miss her presence and character on the team."

Beside leading the team in scoring, she also leads the way in assists -- 20 in the season.

Allen said Huggins' unselfishness is what sets her apart from other players.

"I can recall the Silver Bluff High game this season when I wanted Kaylyn to shoot the ball, but she kept passing," Allen said.

"She came of the field and told me, ‘Coach I was want someone else to score.' That showed me right then and there, she was not worried about individual accomplishments."

Huggins is an ultimate student athlete, maintaining a 4.3 grade per average. She plans to attend Clemson University with hopes of becoming a veterinarian.

Huggins, who was also named All-State, is the daughter of Travis and Paige Black of Barnwell.