The Chattanooga area will be well-represented again in the TSSAA softball tournament, and there’s no signs of that trend ending soon. Youthful rosters are a common thread among many of the seven qualifying local teams, including Class AA Central (28-12), but the future is now for one of the Lady Purple Pounders.
Sara Walker is Central’s only senior.
“I knew coming up this year I was going to have to help keep them together,” Walker said. “Next year I think they’re going to have six seniors.”
Coach LeeAnne Shurette came to Central’s program when Walker was a freshman. Watching as Walker grew, and seeing her play every position except catcher throughout her career, now the coach can’t discern whether she’s a better team player or team leader.
“To me she is the perfect individual you would want on your team,” Shurette said. “She’s very consistent on the field. She’s very consistent off the field. She makes good grades. She makes good decisions. I give her a lot of responsibility, but I trust her. She’s just very mature, she has great character, and she’s a good ballplayer. We’re really going to miss her.”