BRADENTON -- Manatee High’s Casey Craft and Michelle McGee of Southeast, who recently finished their exceptional careers, will get a chance to add a couple of more games this weekend in the FACA All-Star Softball Weekend.

The two seniors were the only players from Manatee County selected for the event that gets under way tonight at Ocala Forest High. They will play for the South team.

Both girls played four years of varsity have decided not to play in college. Craft is going to Florida, and McGee plans to attend the University of South Florida.

Craft led Manatee with a .413 batting average and 21 hits this past season and tied for the team lead with 20 RBIs. She was one of the Hurricanes’ most versatile players, putting time in at first base, outfield and pitching.

“She was one of these girls who had determination and grit and would never quit. She was a fighter and very intense person,” Manatee head softball coach John Carlock said. “We are really going to miss her. You don’t replace people like that.”

McGee took over the catching reins last season after spending most of her time at shortstop and did some pitching during her first three years.

She led the Seminoles in various offensive categories, including batting average (.419), hits (26), RBIs (20) and runs scored (20). She tied for the team lead in doubles (six) and stole eight bases without getting caught.

McGee compiled a .378 batting average over her final three years and added stability to the catching position and her team.

“Her best attribute was her attitude. She believed that we were going to win every game and didn’t care who we were playing,” Southeast head coach Jack Howells. “Her strength was hitting and speed, and she has a very strong arm. She was excellent with those three tools.”

The South team will play the North at 8 tonight following the game between the East and West squads. The winners play Saturday following the consolation game that is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.