YSB: Center 10U 'stars' to battle state's best
dugout include: (from left) Tionna Eberlan, Katelyn Bolton, Chasity Ellington,
Maddie Russell, Madelyn Eaves, LaJada Hicks, Hailey Haddox, Lacey Felder and
Katie Nehring. Not pictured is Cassidy Sanford. The team is coached by Chad
Nehring and Matt Haddox. (Photo courtesy of Chad Nehring)
Competition at the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) District 38 10-and-Under tournament was a monumental task, to say the least, when it came to the fight the Center All-Stars faced. But despite the early exit, the squad hopes that it will give the team a place to start when preparing for the next 'level'.
The Center All-Stars are now in preparation for the Girls' 10-and-Under 'C' State Championship Tournament scheduled for June 17-19 at Gabe Nesbit Community Park (701 Eldorado Parkway) in McKinney.
The tourney draw for the 14-team tourney will be held on June 14, with the opening ceremonies scheduled for Friday, June 17, at 3 p.m. The first games of the tournament will get underway at 4:30 p.m. the same day.
Members of the Center squad include: Tionna Eberlan, Katelyn Bolton, Chasity Ellington, Maddie Russell, Madelyn Eaves, LaJada Hicks, Hailey Haddox, Lacey Felder, Cassidy Sanford and Katie Nehring. The squad is coached by Chad Nehring and Matt Haddox.
Nehring said because the recently held District 38 competition was an 'open' tourney, it provided a tough obstacle to overcome. An 'open' tournament means that 'select' squads can participate, sometimes creating an unfair level of competition.
"Unfortunately the draw wasn't in our favor," Nehring stated. "After a competitive and entertaining warm-up game against Joaquin, we drew the ultimate tournament winner (in the first round)."
Center lost to the eventual champions, the Bad Attitude, and they were eliminated from the tourney by the Dirty Dozen.
Center then had to struggle with weather delays, which resulted in the squad playing its second-round matchup at 11:30 p.m., against another 'select' team.
"While the girls played hard, it was against two 'select' teams we had played in the same day," the coach explained. "I'm proud of how the girls fought and continued to play regardless of the it being late at night and at the end of a long day. For the first game together and initial tournament, I was happy they came together and played as a team. They never quit on themselves or their teammates."
Nehring said because the state tourney is several weeks away, it will give them a chance to prepare more for the event. It will also be a Class 'C' tournament, which means the competition will on a more 'level' playing field.
"We'll have the opportunity to get some practice in and that will help us at the state tournament," Nehring added. "We didn't have much time to get ready for district, but the girls did a good job they'll be better prepared the next time out."