The other northwest Georgia Elite Eight teams:Class AAAANorthwest Whitfield (20-18)Coach: Jason BrookerFirst-round opponent: Pike County (22-14), 4:15Players to watch: The two-time defending Class AAAA champions return only two starters from last year, though senior BriLeigh Baggett is one of them and brings with her the experience of pitching her team to a state title. Sophomore outfielder Alyssa Ward is the spark plug of the offense and was recently named the Region 7-AAAA player of the year, while Shelby Ralston and Baggett have had several big hits in the Lady Bruins' playoff run.Class AAACalhoun (30-7)Coach: Diane SmithFirst-round opponent: Westminster (24-9), 2:30Players to watch: The Lady Yellow Jackets, last season's Class AA champions, have a wealth of experience ready to lead another title run, including dominant pitcher Kinsey Liscio (1.03 ERA) and powerful shortstop Taylor Kelly, who has eclipsed the 50-RBI mark. Smith's team is well-equipped to win against strong pitching with speedsters Ryan Brzozoski and Ashlyn Barnes and power hitters in Kelly and Emily Mitchell, who have combined for 15 homers.Ringgold (30-6)Coach: Shane PendleyFirst-round opponent: Tattnall County (26-14), 2:30Players to watch: The Region 6-AAA regular-season champions have a strong pitching duo in Abby McKinney and Katie Cain, making the Lady Tigers prepared for multiple games in one day. They also have a potent lineup led by McKinney, who is batting over .500, freshman leadoff Kaylee Womack and sophomore catcher Dare Schley, the team's leading run producer.Class AAGordon Lee (30-6)Coach: Dana MullFirst-round opponent: Jeff-Davis (23-13), 2:30Players to watch: The names may change and the competition may get tougher, but the status of the Lady Trojans as the team to beat doesn't. Coach Mull has one of the state's most dominant pitchers in Emily Armour, who has an ERA of 0.51 and has struck out 239 batters in 138 innings. Leadoff batter Tiffany Holland comes in hitting over .500 with 30 stolen bases, while Courtland Middleton is at .469 with 32 RBIs.Class ATrion (21-6)Coach: Jason LanhamFirst-round opponent: Johnson County (19-9), 10:30 a.m.Players to watch: The Lady Bulldogs have strong pitching with Peyton Henderson and Lindsey Shepherd and a strong one-two punch at the top of the lineup with leadoff Jaden Morrison, who is hitting .512, and No. 2 batter Kiki Evans, who is hitting .500 with 30 runs scored. They also have some pop in the next two batters -- Kerrigan Ramsey, who is hitting .482 with 23 extra-base hits, and cleanup Rayven Lawrence, who is at .479 with 14 extra-base hits.
RINGGOLD, Ga. - High school athletic competition can leave lasting memories for teenagers, some memorable for good reasons; others can leave a few scars.
The Heritage softball team is hoping this week's GHSA State Championships in Columbus will leave the good kind after reliving a what-could-have-been moment for the last 12 months. The Generals, after dominating Northwest Whitfield during the regular season and region tournament, lost to their rivals in the championship round.
As the second-ranked Class AAAA team heads back down for Thursday's start of the three-day event -- one of six northwest Georgia area teams involved -- the memories of coming up just short still weigh heavily on the Generals' minds.
"Honestly, it was heartbreaking, awful," junior shortstop Hannah Wills recalled. "I hated that feeling and I don't want to have it again. Knowing we put everything into it -- blood, sweat and tears -- and came up short was terrible. We're excited and motivated for this week, and I believe the experience from last year will help us."
Wills, by the way, was the MaxPreps/NFCA national high school fastpitch softball player of the week for her 6-for-7 batting and 1.286 slugging percentage in the doubleheader sweep of Whitewater that put the Generals in the Elite Eight. Wills reached base seven times in eight plate appearances and had three doubles, five RBIs, four runs scored and a stolen base.
Heritage coach Steve Chattin, whose team opens against third-ranked Walnut Grove at 4:15 p.m., was concerned starting the season that the scars of last year might become an issue. He needn't have worried as the Generals rolled to the Region 7 regular-season and tournament titles and 32 wins so far.
"One of my biggest concerns coming into this year was that I've seen a lot of teams work that hard and come that close -- basically two innings from becoming state champs -- then have trouble getting back and motivated to work so hard the next year," Chattin said. "This team, however, has done a great job of not letting last year get them down, and they've used that experience in a good way."
Chattin's program has finished fourth, third and second in Columbus, and to break through this year might be the biggest challenge yet. A win against Walnut Grove likely will get Heritage a second-round matchup with once-beaten and top-ranked Buford. If Buford somehow loses in the first round, the opponent would be fourth-ranked Wayne County.
"This may be the toughest draw we've ever had," Chattin said. "The top four teams in the state are in the bottom half of the bracket, but I think we're prepared to give it our best. I don't think we'll be intimidated, whether we're playing Buford or another club, because this team has seen most everything."
Of course, potentially waiting in the winners-backet final Friday could be nemesis Northwest Whitfield, which has overcome the graduation of seven starters to reach the Elite Eight. It was in that round a year ago when the Lady Bruins made their move.
"We should have won the game Friday night last year, which would have put us in a better position to win, so that's our goal this year," junior Heritage catcher Shelby Hammontree said. "I think we ran out of steam in the last game, which we wouldn't have had to play if we had taken care of business Friday."
Heritage returns eight starters to Columbus from that team. Senior pitcher Lauren Lawson believes last year's heartbreak and the lessons learned from it already have paid dividends.
"Last year we did more of an individual thing, whereas this year we're playing more for each other and it's because no one wants to come in second again," said Lawson, who is 22-2 this year. "Basically, we just really want that ring and we know we've got to win it as a team."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.