SB: Heflin, Beckville duo are 'stars' on field
Valuable Player by the coaches in the league. (Photo by Travis Curry)
From top to bottom the District 21-1A race was a tough one as teams battled until the final game of the regular season and beyond to secure postseason positions and jockeying for the top spot and No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
Just as close was the voting for superlatives in the league as Garrison sophomore pitcher Cat Heflin was named the District 21-1A Most Valuable Player, while Beckville senior Erica Graham was named the league's Offensive Most Valuable Player. Graham's teammate, sophomore Shelbi Jo Dodson, earned the Defensive Most Valuable Player award when the coaches voted for the postseason honors.
The district's Newcomer of the Year award went to Timpson freshman Maggie Bush.
When the fight for the district title was over, Beckville and Garrison both posted 11-1 league marks and claimed the league's co-championship. The Lady Dogs and the Ladycats played a one-game playoff to see which team would represent the league as the No.1 squad and it was Garrison coming out on top, 11-1.
Shelbyville placed third by knocking off Timpson on the final night of the regular season.
Coincidentally, all three teams were defeated by Grapeland in the playoffs. Shelbyville defeated Zavalla in the opening round before being swept by Grapeland in Area play. Garrison received its first-round bye, then defeated Lovelady in a one-game play-off in Area action. The Lady Dogs then ran into the Sandiettes and dropped a pair of hard-fought decisions, 2-1 and 4-2.
Beckville advanced the furthest. The Ladycats swept Colmesneil in the first round and did the same to Dallardsville Big Sandy in the second round. Beckville disposed of Brookeland in a two-game sweep in the Regional Quarterfinals and then the Ladycats knocked off Detroit in the Regional Semifinals.
But the road to the state tournament meant a date with Grapeland. Despite winning Game 1 of the best-of-three series, the Sandiettes came back to capture Games 2 and 3 to clinch a berth into the state tournament.
Beckville finished the year with a 29-7 record, while Garrison posted an impressive 18-4 mark and Shelbyville accumulated a 14-11 record. Timpson posted an 11-18 record, finishing 5-7 against district competition.
When the voting for all-district was tabulated, Beckville had eight players named to superlative, first and second teams. Garrison was second with seven players named, while Shelbyville was third with six players honored. Timpson and Gary each had four players honored as some of the league's best, while Chireno had two players honored and Martinsville had one.
Garrison had the most first-team members with four. Sophomore catcher Bre Colle, freshman third-baseman Hannah Walker, senior centerfielder Jennifer Walker and senior utility player Destiny Brown were all named to the top squad.
Beckville had three players on the first team, led by junior pitcher Kari Courtney. Freshman second baseman Taylor Lindsey was honored, as was sophomore centerfielder Montana Searcy.
The Lady Dragons also had three players named to the first team, led by junior pitcher Brittni Cooper, followed by sophomore shortstop Paige Wilburn and junior centerfielder Haleigh Cooper.
In addition to the superlative honor by Bush, Timpson junior pitcher Caitlyn Smith was a second-team pitcher, while senior Tori Fanguy was a second squad catcher and Dusty Tipton was a second-team utility player.
Gary's Chelsea Ritter, a senior first-baseman, was named to the top squad.
Beckville senior catcher Megan Jones was a second-team member, along with freshman first baseman Cassidi Whitaker and sophomore leftfielder Dalye Alfaro.
Gary had three players on the second team. Sophomore pitcher Brittany Odom was selected, along with senior rightfielder Simone Duron and sophomore utility player Hailey Smith.
Players receiving honorable mention included Beckville rightfielder Ivy Rieke and Gary sophomore second baseman Channa Bird, junior third baseman Colby Ranson and freshman catcher Amber Gage.
ALL-DISTRICT 21-1A SOFTBALL
SUPERLATIVES
District Most Valuable Player
Cat Heflin (So./P) - Garrison
Offensive Most Valuable Player
Erica Graham* (Sr./SS) - Beckville
Defensive Most Valuable Player
Shelbi Jo Dodson (So./3B) - Beckville
Newcomer of the Year
Maggie Bush (Fr./1B) - Timpson
FIRST-TEAM ALL-DISTRICT
Pitchers
Britni Cooper (Jr.) - Shelbyville
Kari Courtney (Jr.) - Beckville
Catcher
Bre Colle (So.) - Garrison
Infielders
Lauren Lee (Fr./1B) - Chireno
Taylor Lindsey (Fr./2B) - Beckville
Chelsea Ritter (Sr./1B) - Gary
Hannah Walker (Fr./3B) - Garrison
Paige Wilburn (So./SS) - Shelbyville
Outfielders
Jennifer Walker (Sr./CF) - Garrison
Montana Searcy (So./CF) - Beckville
Justice Lockett (Fr./LF) - Chireno
Haleigh Cooper (Jr./CF) - Shelbyville
Utility Player
Destiny Brown (Sr./1B) - Garrison
SECOND-TEAM ALL-DISTRICT
Pitchers
Brittany Odom (So./P) - Gary
Catlin Smith (Jr./P) - Timpson
Catcher
Megan Jones (Sr./C) - Beckville
Infielders
Summer Williams (Jr./2B) - Shelbyville
Brenna Moore (Sr./1B/3B) - Martinsville
Kristen Dunsman (Jr./SS) - Garrison
Cassidi Whitaker (Fr./1B) - Beckville
Tori Fanguy (Sr./C) - Timpson
Outfielders
Brooke Davidson (Jr./LF) - Garrison
Dalye Alfaro (So./LF) - Beckville
Simone Duron (Sr./RF) - Gary
Josie Fuller (Fr./LF) - Shelbyville
Utility
Hailey Smith (So.) - Gary
Dusty Tipton (Jr.) - Timpson
Kelsi Griffin (Jr.) - Shelbyville
Honorable Mention
Gary
Channa Bird (So./2B)
Colby Ranson (Jr./3B)
Amber Gage (Fr./C)
Beckville
Ivy Rieke (Jr./RF)