The Laurel-Jones County 13-year-old Dixie Boys All-Stars leave today for Enterprise, Ala., where they will be one of 12 teams from 12 states competing in the Dixie Boys World Series. They play defending champion Louisiana Saturday at 4 p.m. in the double elimination tournament.

The team has five members from the Laurel-Jones County Nationals who played in the World Series for 12-year-olds in LaGrange, Ga. last year. They are Jake Smith, Chandler Blakeney, Eric Surrett, Colton Johnson and Trenton Stringer. Other team members of the team are Blake Shows, Kelton Grice, Austin Waldrup, Trent Black, Timothy Jordan, Jaylon Keys, Josh Sullivan and Alan Desantis. Coaches are Danny Smith, Ralph Smith and Sherman Johnson.

The team is a combination of the LJC Americans and Nationals, and won the state championship in Laurel last week, beating Petal 10-4 in the title game.

Chandler Blakeney, who will be a freshman at Stringer High School, said playing in last year’s World Series was a good experience. “I’m excited about playing in a World Series two years in a row,” he said. “This team is a lot better than the team last year. We have a real good change this year.”

Alan Desantis is excited to be playing in his first World Series. “I think we have a really good shot. We’re pumped and ready. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Coach Danny Smith, a 1999 West Jones High School graduate, has been involved in Jones County baseball for 27 years. “This is the absolute best team I’ve ever been associated with,” he said. “With their attitude and talent, they are dominant.”

Sponsors of the trip to the World Series include Howard Ind., Southern Colonel Homes, B&R Supply, Dr. Rachel Chard, EDA of Jones County, George’s Sporting Goods, Hibbett’s Sports of Hattiesburg, Sports Academy of Gulfport, Advanced Products Inc., Elkins Wholesale, and private donors.coaches Danny Smith, Sherman Johnson, and Ralph Smith.