SB: Shelbyville trio tops All-22-2A elite squad
First Team All-District 22-2A Infield honors. (Photo by John Krueger
Three members of the Shelbyville Lady Dragon softball team were among those recognized by their district coaches recently as they were named to the First Team All-District 22-2A softball squad, it has been announced.
The Lady Dragons, who came within one victory of making the Class 2A State playoffs, had infielders Paige Wilburn and Summer Williams named to the top squad, along with centerfielder Haleigh Cooper. All three will be returning to the squad in 2011. Williams, a sophomore, anchored down second base this season for SHS, while Wilburn was only a freshman and played shortstop. Cooper was a sophomore, giving Coach Heather Holloway reason for optimism for next season.
"I was so proud of the girls and the way they played this past season," Holloway said at the end of the 3-5 district campaign. "We struggled early on in district, but the girls continued to work hard and good things happened as we got closer to the final game of the season.
"There are times they could have just given up and quit, but they didn't. And even though were a young team, the girls kept fighting back and put themselves in a position to play for a possible playoff berth heading into the final game of the season.
"I'm excited about next year and what we have a chance to accomplish here. In addition to all our returning players, dropping down in classification to Class 1A means this team can really make some noise in the district. I hope it will instill a confidence in our players and that they will work hard in the off-season to prepare for what could be a great season next spring."
In addition to the trio of first-team players, Shelbyville junior Keni Griffin was named second team pitcher, while sophomore Kelsi Griffin was named second team catcher. Infielders named to the second team included senior third baseman Kim Vaughn and freshman first baseman Bree Vaughn.
Two members of the Lady Dragon team received Honorable Mention all-district recognition. Junior right fielder Sarah Hendricks and sophomore Britni Cooper received the honor.
Shelbyville won two of its last three games of the season before dropping a 2-1 heartbreaker to Kirbyville at Lady Dragon Field on the season final day to lose a bid for a playoff spot. The two victories were one-run barn-burners, a 4-3 win over Newton at home in nine innings and a 2-1 thriller over Hemphill on the road.