Northside softball’s charge fueled by unfinished business
By WVUA-23 Sports Reporter Tyler White
Northside High School softball has a big weekend, competing in the Class 4A State Softball Championship Tournament at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala.
The Rams first game is against Brooks High School on Friday morning at 10:45.
“We set our goal at the very first practice that our goal is to win the whole thing,” said Northside head coach Tommy Honeycutt. “We feel like we have as good a chance to go win this tournament as anybody.”
The Rams have a chip on their shoulder after suffering some tough losses in last years state championship tournament.
“We lost a couple of very close games and thought we had a shot to capitalize and fell just a little bit short,” said Honeycutt. “Most of the girls that are returning from last year know we’re close. We just gotta go out and have a good weekend.”
The tournament field in Class 4A is stout, as three of the eight teams are defending state champions. In addition to defending champion Curry, Class 4A now has the reigning champions of Class 2A (Orange Beach) and Class 3A (Houston Academy).
Its a steep challenge but Northside senior shortstop Hartlie Rice knows the team has what it takes they just have to stick to what got them here.
“Just staying focused and doing what we’ve been doing all season long,” Rice said. “Staying true to our game and picking each other up.”
Rice is one of the three seniors leading the Rams charge, along with Becca Leigh Chadwick and Chloe Perry.
All three girls will have tbe opportunity to play college softball. Rice will attend Northwest Florida State Community College, Chadwick signed with Troy University and Perry will stay close to home, at Shelton State.
The three seniors understand their role and have made leading by example the top priority.
The Rams will undoubtedly be put in tough positions this weekend. They guarantee they won’t give up on one another other, and feel the ‘team’ approach gives them the best good chance to bring home a ‘Blue Map’ plaque.
