By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

Recent Kingwood Christian School graduate Madeline Lee was recently selected as a member of the Maxpreps.com 2012 Small Schools All-American team.

Lee, who led her Kingwood Christian squad to the Alabama Independent Schools Association Class 3A state tournament as a senior, finished her senior season with an association-high 24 home runs.

Lee, who has signed a softball scholarship with Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, also finished with a .443 batting average and drove in 65 runs for the Lions.

“It’s just a blessing to be recognized like that,” Lee said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without God and support from my family and friends and Kingwood Christian. It’s just an honor.”

Lee is one of four players on the team from the state of Alabama. Recent Oak Grove High School graduate Kori Benson, who will join Lee at Wallace State, was also named to the team along with Taylor West of Saks High School in Anniston and Cara Goodwin of Good Hope High School in Cullman.

Lee said she was excited to see her future teammate on the All-American team.

“It’s just great to know Wallace is going to be brining in some great talent,” Lee said. “I’ve known (Benson) for a long time. It’s great to be able to share this honor with her.”

Madeline’s father, Keith, said the family found out about the honor from a family friend.

“We found out from a friend who emailed us a link,” Keith Lee said. “We clicked on the website and there she was on the first team.”