DDD-Area softball athletes shine, earn postseason honors

After an eventful season of high school softball came to an end for Bootheel schools, many student-athletes continued the legacy of success for themselves and for their respective schools. From Southland to Risco, Campbell to Delta C-7, at least one athlete from every school in the Delta Dunklin Democrat's area of coverage earned postseason honors this year.

Two area team made program history in competing in state quarterfinal games – both Malden and Risco – and while they won't progress further this year, it set the groundwork for seasons to come.

Kylie Walker, of the Senath-Hornersville with Southland softball team, earned the title of Bootheel Conference Player of the Year, while Maleigh Lemings, of the Holcomb softball team, was named Tri-County Conference Player of the Year.

Senath-Hornersville's Kylie Walker throws in the ball during a home game this season. Walker was named Bootheel Conference Player of the Year.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Kennett's Logan Dollins was named Bootheel Conference Coach of the Year, and Holcomb's Matt Casper was named Tri-County Conference Coach of the Year.

“It's always an honor to be recognized by your peers as Coach of the Year, but to me, that's just a reflection upon your team,” fifth-year Hornet coach Matt Casper said. “It's about the success of your team, their talent, and the hard work and dedication that they put in. To me, that's not a 'me' award. It's about what they've done and what we've accomplished.”

While both coaches have received the title in the past, his sentiments echo those shared by Dollins.

“Personally, it's just a testament to our girls and our program,” Dollins said. “We lost four First Team All-State players last year, and for these girls to show up and fill those roles, it's more of a testament to them than it is to me.”

After back-to-back state tournament runs, Holcomb's season was ended in their district championship game against Risco. Kennett, who had previously won eight consecutive district championships, was upset by Portageville in the tournament semifinals.

“We knew what we expected from ourselves, and that's to compete no matter who we were playing,” Casper said. “We knew it wouldn't be easy losing a big group of quality student-athletes, but we had some success and had a lot of girls who stepped up, especially some young ones.”

After coaching three First Team and two Second Team All-District athletes this season, the goal still remains the same year after year.

“For us, it's a question of how to continue winning,” Dollins said. “We pride ourselves on our work ethic, and our goal was to win a district championship. We came up a little short, but we had a great season. It's an honor to become Coach of the Year, but without having a group of girls who come together and play the hardest they can every single day, there's no way I get those honors myself.”

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__All Class 1 District 1__

Infield: Maleigh Lemings of Holcomb, Aubrey White of Risco, Kaetlyn Danley of Holcomb, Lydia Albritton of Risco, Phoenix Simmons of South Pemiscot, Libbey Callis of Holcomb, Mckenzie Sevier of Campbell. Outfield: Chloe Hendrix of Holcomb, Avery Presley of Risco, Ava Baggett of Campbell, Jules Gurley of Holcomb. Pitchers: Carlie Stephens of Risco, Abigail Edwards of South Pemiscot, Jaelynn Presley of Risco. Catchers: Ashlynn Presley of Risco, Ella Lemings of Holcomb, Alyeighonna Farmer of South Pemiscot. Utility: Ava Gurley of Holcomb. At Large: Jayden Buchanan of Gideon.

__All Class 2 District 1__

First Team

Utility: Handley McAtee of Kennett. Pitcher: Amelia Jenkins of Dexter, Alyssa Broom of Malden, Kennedy Cogdill of East Prairie, Aubrey Greenwell of Portageville. Infield: Kylie Walker of Senath-Hornersville/Southland, Tori Stinnett of East Prairie, Hadley Wilson of Kennett, Brydon Maddox of Malden, Libbie Priggel of Portageville, Ashlyn Byrne of NMCC. Outfield: Kaya Horton of Senath-Hornersville/Southland, Mariah Loya of Malden, Jessica Priggel of Portageville, Addi Buchannan of Malden. Catcher: Rachel Rommel of Malden, Emma Tinnin of Kennett, Annabelle Carlisle of Senath-Hornersville/Southland. At Large: Jada Burlison of Senath-Hornersville/Southland, Emma Baldwin of Caruthersville.

Second Team

Laura Kate Johnon of NMCC, Erica Tittle of NMCC, Kinleigh Chappel of Dexter, Kynsley McCaig of Kennett, Alexis Sisk of Dexter, Baylee Wilcut of Kennett, Finley Strawn of Caruthersville, Alison Miller of East Prairie, Katie Brewer of East Prairie, Soma Hooper of Charleston, Reece Rone of Portageville, Katie McClelland of Senath-Hornersville/Southland, Kinley Buchannan of Malden, Saylor Humphree of Charleston, Bryleigh Adams of Portageville, Laney Stone of Portageville.

__All Bootheel Conference__

Player of the Year: Kylie Walker, Senath-Hornersville/Southland

Coach of the Year: Logan Dollins, Kennett

Handley McAtee of Kennett, Rachel Rommel of Malden, Hadley Wilson of Kennett, Phoenix Simmons of South Pemiscot, Brydon Maddox of Malden, Katie McClelland of Senath-Hornersville/Southland, Emma Tinnin of Kennett, Jada Burlison of Senath-Hornersville/Southland, Kaya Horton of Senath-Hornersville/Southland, Ava Baggett of Campbell, Emma Baldwin of Caruthersville, Alyssa Broom of Malden, Ja’Niya Smith of Portageville, Jessica Priggel of Portageville, Abigail Edwards of South Pemiscot, Mariah Loya of Malden, Reece Rone of Portageville.

__All Tri-County Conference__

Player of the Year: Maleigh Lemings, Holcomb

Coach of the Year: Matt Casper, Holcomb

First Team

Ashlynn Presley of Risco, Ava Gurley of Holcomb, Chloe Hendrix of Holcomb, Avery Presley of Risco, Ella Lemings of Holcomb, Sara Beth Griffin of Cooter, Aubrey White of Risco, Jaylynn Presley of Risco.

Second Team

Kaetlyn Danley of Holcomb, Lydia Albritton of Risco, Jenna Kate Bullington of Cooter, Jayden Buchanan of Gideon, Carlie Stephens of Risco, Allisa Rogers of Gideon, Abbie Strawn of North Pemiscot, Jules Gurley of Holcomb, Riley Plunkett of Clarkton.

Honorable Mention

Emma Lindsey of North Pemiscot, Pacy Medley of Delta C-7, Brinley Cowart of Clarkton, Landry Baker of Risco, Jaycee Thompson of Risco, Addison Chitester of Cooter, Libbey Callis of Holcomb.