Player: Emily Boyd
Northwest Whitfield coach Shane Ramsey knew he had a talented freshman ready to step in as the Lady Bruins’ main pitcher this year, and the 14-year-old wound up with 21 wins, an 0.51 ERA and 325 strikeouts in 194 innings.
“Her poise and competitiveness really stand out,” Ramsey said. “I’ve never been around a high school girl, nevertheless a freshman, who has that kind of poise. She’s the most competitive athlete I’ve worked with, and she wants to be the best player who ever played.
The most memorable moment came in a loss. Boyd, who pitched four no-hitters, went toe-to-toe with Marist pitcher (and Georgia Tech signee) Lori Spingola in the winners-bracket final of the Class AAAA state tournament before losing 1-0 in 11 innings.
“That was an incredible game,” Ramsey said. “She never backed down all year and proved in that game just how competitive she is.”
Coach: Shane Ramsey
With a 2-6 record after two weeks, the first-year Northwest Whitfield coach was preparing for a long season. He got one, all right, but not what he feared. Full of talented underclassmen, the Lady Bruins suddenly started winning as freshmen such as pitcher Emily Boyd adjusted to high school ball.
A surprise Region 7-AAAA title proved the team was for real, and though the run ended with a third-place state finish at Columbus, Ramsey cold not have asked for more.
“I saw kids grow up,” he said. “They’re not 14-year-olds anymore. There’s a little bit of a bull’s-eye, but we like that. We just wanted to get to Columbus, and next year we want to win Columbus.”
Jody Archer
Lakeview-F.O.
Senior
Infielder
She batted .323 with nine doubles, a homer and a team-high 32 RBIs and provided strong leadership.
Lesslie Bohannon
Gordon Lee
Junior
Outfielder
She anchored a potent lineup with a .333 average, 24 RBIs, 27 runs, a home run and six doubles.
Maddie Bray
Lakeview-F.O.
Junior
Infielder/Pitcher
Despite a nagging leg injury, she hit .493 with nine doubles, 20 RBIs and seven pitching wins.
Holli Brooks
Gordon Lee
Junior
Outfielder
The two-sport star batted .378 with 24 runs and 23 RBIs for the Class A state runners-up.
Madison Dodd
Calhoun
Senior
DP/Outfielder
She led a young team with a .463 average, 13 doubles, 21 RBIs and .561 on-base percentage.
Jessie Forrester
Ridgeland
Senior
Pitcher
The Carson-Newman signee had 18 wins, an 0.17 ERA, 237 strikeouts, a .400 average and 19 RBIs.
Brandy Goldsmith
Heritage
Sophomore
Infielder
The leadoff hitter and sterling shortstop batted .308 with 30 runs scored and 14 stolen bases.
Allie Hillis
Heritage
Sophomore
Infielder/Pitcher
She hit .338 with 32 runs, two homers, 14 doubles, a team-best 29 RBIs and six pitching wins.
Caitlyn Lance
Ridgeland
Senior
Catcher
She sparkled defensively and led the Lady Panthers with a .556 average, 12 doubles and 26 RBIs.
Haleigh McBryar
Dade County
Sophomore
Pitcher
She led Dade to the state tournament with a .400 average, 20 wins, a 1.15 ERA and 223 strikeouts.
Sam Taylor
Gordon Lee
Sophomore
Utility
She led the team with a .513 average and 40 runs, had 26 RBIs and paced the area with 10 triples.
Monica Vickers
Lakeview-F.O.
Junior
Pitcher
She compiled 15 wins and a 0.38 ERA while hurling 12 shutouts and striking out 231 in 167 innings.
Second Team
Mallory Epperson: Ridgeland, junior, outfielder
Savannah Goldsmith: Heritage, freshman, infielder
Courtnee Hall: Ridgeland, senior, infielder
Mykeah Johnson: Northwest Whitfield, freshman, outfielder
Haley Lawson: Ridgeland, senior, infielder
Brenna Nation: Gordon Lee, sophomore, pitcher
Marissa Patterson: Heritage, junior, pitcher
Amy Shampo: Northwest Whitfield, junior, infielder
Caty Sparks: Ringgold, senior, pitcher
Jonia Taylor: Gordon Lee, senior ,pitcher
Courtney Welch: Murray County, senior, outfielder
Shelby Whitfield: Dalton, senior, catcher
Teams of the Year
1. Gordon Lee (31-4). The Lady Trojans set a school record for wins and had an undefeated Region 6-A run and a state runner-up finish
2. Northwest Whitfield (21-15). The surprising Lady Bruins rode the dominating pitching of Emily Boyd to a third-place state finish in tough Class AAAA.
3. Heritage (28-11). In just their second year, the Generals rode a wave of young talent to a third-place Class AAA finish.