Courtney Campbell, shown holding the state championship trophy, joined Gaffney High coach Kelly Ellis at the all-star weekend. Gaffney High softball coach Kelly Ellis has coached against the likes of Byrnes' Brianna Hamilton and Wren's Stephanie Saylors.

This past weekend, she found out what it's like coaching Hamilton, Saylors and some of the other top softball talent in the state.

Ellis served as head coach of the North 1A/4A all-star team as part of the SCCAWS All-Star Softball Series at the campus of USC-Aiken.

"It was a fun experience," Ellis said. "It was fun having some of the girls that you coached against on my team because these are the best of the best."

The North 1A/4A all-stars split their games, beating the South 1A/4A all stars, 4-3, on Friday before losing to the North 2A/3A all stars, 2-0, on Saturday.

Ellis coached two of her own, Gaffney's Courtney Campbell and Cameron Crocker.

Crocker caught Saylors in the team's victory over the South 1A/4A all star teams. Campbell, who played shortstop for the Lady Indians, also played first base and pitched for the all-star team.

On Saturday, Campbell tossed two hitless innings for the Class 1A/4A all stars.

Ellis said both Campbell and Crocker enjoyed their experience.

"They both have good personalities and enjoyed their time with the other players," said Ellis, who picked up a couple more coaching awards.

In addition to her selection by the High School Sports Report as the Class 4A Coach of the Year, Ellis was named as the Softball Coach of the Year by the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association. She will pick up her award at a banquet in Charleston.