Northeast Georgia softball teams began a resurgence in 2014 -- the 2015 season saw them continue that collective climb, becoming one of the power areas in the state.
Local programs produced one state champion in Buford, which won its ninth consecutive state title in Class AAAA, two other Elite 8 teams in East Jackson (Class AAA) and Union County (Class AA), as 11 teams overall to advance to the playoffs.
With that in mind, the upcoming 2016 season, which officially begins Monday, should see even more programs ready to take that next step. But, the new Georgia High School Association realignment should offer some tough and intriguing region matchups along the way.
Buford moved up to Region 8-AAAAA, along with Walnut Grove. The two teams met in the Class AAAA state title game in 2015 and now will battle for a region title. Add Flowery Branch and Loganville to those two in 8-AAAAA and you have one of the toughest regions in the state in any classification.
Banks County won Region 7-AAA in 2015 but has now moved down to Region 8-AA. Meanwhile, Union County, which finished second in Region 8-AA and advanced to the Elite 8 in 2015, has moved up to Region 7-AAA this season. In fact, 7-AAA is potentially loaded with five of the new seven-team region making the playoffs in 2015, including North Hall and Dawson County.
Let's take a look at some of the area's high-flying programs and playoff familiars as they prep for the 2016 campaign (NOTE: All programs included made information available).
BUFORD
Of course, there has been no bigger powerhouse in the state than the Lady Wolves, and 2016 season should see them once again challenge for a region title and a trip to Columbus despite graduating 10 seniors and two of their top three pitchers.
Buford coach Tony Wolfe said they are in a rebuilding year, but with the return of junior pitcher Logan Caymol to full strength (she saw limited action in 2015 due to injury) and senior second baseman Sam Thomas (18 HR, 54 RBI in 2015) they should be right in the mix again.
“We lost a lot of senior leadership and a lot of good players,” Wolfe said. “We feel like we have talent but we only have three returning starters and we’re still looking for some more pitching.”
Juniors Kelsey Bennett (SS) and Gabby Benson (OF) are the only other returning starters along with Caymol. Sophomore Katie Perkins should start at first base but Wolfe said they are still trying to piece together a starting lineup.
Wolfe, who likes to employ three pitchers, said they have three players vying for the other two spots behind Caymol. How he will use Thomas to give her some protection will be a key. Also, a challenging schedule with nine games against Class AAAAAAA teams awaits leading up to the start of Region 8-AAAAA play.
“It’s definitely going to be a challenging schedule,” he said. “Early on we’re going to have to rely on pitching and defense to carry us. Hopefully Bennett, Benson, and Perkins can set the table for Sam to give her some opportunities.
“Our goal is always to win the region and get to Columbus. This could be one of the more challenging seasons we’ve had with all the changes. I’m interested to see how good we will be by Game 20.”
DAWSON COUNTY
The Lady Tigers finished just 8-15 in 2015 but got hot at the end beating East Hall in a best-of-three series in the Region 7-AAA playoffs to advance to the state playoffs. And coach Jim Pruett, who led them to the Elite 8 in 2014, may have another group ready to challenge again with five returning starters, including top pitcher in senior Natalie Glass.
Seniors Sydney McGinnis (INF/OF) and Kaila Billingsley (C/INF), junior Skylar Caine (C/INF), and sophomore Maggie Schandera (INF/P) will be looked upon to lead a versatile group. Juniors Madison Worley (INF) and Micaiah Jenkins (C) and sophomore outfielders Brandi Williams and Mary Farris give the Lady Tigers viable options.
“We definitely feel like we have a chance to be better than last year,” Pruett said. “We have a lot of girls that can play multiple positions. We don’t have a true No. 1 pitcher but Glass and Schandera both should give us a chance to win when they’re out there.
“We also really like our sophomores. I think Williams and Farris both could have breakout seasons if they stay healthy. We’re looking at this season as a chance to get back into the playoffs and maybe have a run.”
EAST HALL
The Lady Vikings last year were one win from a return to the playoffs but stumbled against Dawson County in the region playoffs. Coach Josh Joiner had a young team in 2015 that finished 14-14 and return four starters this year, including just one senior, to go with six freshmen to give them another young squad.
Makayla Wilson (OF) is the only returning senior with junior Steffanie Redmon (P/3B) and sophomores Jennifer Lopez (SS) and Kaitlyn Daniel (INF) also returning.
But Joiner said despite the youth, they may be even better this season.
“Our freshmen are talented and I see four of them for sure getting a lot of playing time,” he said. “I think we can certainly challenge for a playoff spot.”
Freshmen Carley Cox (CF), Macy Banks (1B/P), Peyton Turner (INF), and Abigail Brown (C) all could be penciled in on the opening day lineup. Cox, Banks, and Brown are expected to be key contributors at the plate as well.
“I know it’s a lot to put on freshmen but these girls can play,” Joiner said. “We wouldn’t put them out there if we didn’t think they could handle it. Banks will share pitching duties with Redmon, and Brown can really mash the ball. We’re excited to see what they can do.”
FANNIN COUNTY
The Lady Rebels finished third in Region 7-AAA in 2015 and were beaten by Ringgold in the first round of the playoffs. But don’t expect them to be able to have a repeat performance in 2016 as they graduated eight seniors and return just one starter and have no seniors in 2016.
“To say we’re young is an understatement,” coach David Dyer said. “We are definitely in a rebuilding mode. We like our freshman class but it’s going to take a while for them to get where we want them.”
Junior Macy Galloway (SS) is the only returning starter and has moved to the infield from centerfield. Junior Brooklyn Bearden (3B), sophomores Aubree Puck (INF), Reagan Young (INF), and Kyla Seabolt (C), and freshman Kayleigh Russell, who will battle with junior Morgan Contardi at first base, will be looked on to carry the load.
The problem for the Lady Rebels will be in the circle. They have three pitchers with just a combined nine total innings pitched at the varsity level.
Puck may get the early nod with seven innings pitched. Contardi and sophomore Amelia Sneed each pitched one inning in 2015.
“This is the youngest team I’ve ever had,” Dyer said. “They’re working hard but with such a tough region it’s going to be an uphill climb for us.”
NORTH HALL
For North Hall, which may have been a Columbus-caliber in 2015 if not for running into Walnut Grove in the second round, a move down to Class AAA may not be much of an issue.
The Lady Trojans finished 2015 22-10 and as the No. 3 seed in 8-AAAA and return seven starters, including their top two pitchers in sophomore Kendyl Chase and junior Charli Shepherd. Nine of their 14-player roster still are underclassmen giving them a chance to build for the future as well.
But coach Brooke Russell said all 14 players will see significant playing time as they try to utilize a deep bench.
“We feel like we have a lot of girls that can play and contribute so we’re going to put together a few different lineups to see what we like best,” Russell said. “With Kendyl and Charli we have two pitchers that give us some options. We feel good about what we think we can do this season.”
Seniors Niki Carver (utility/P/C) and Ashlyn Brewster (SS/OF) and juniors Kailee Dyer (2B), Abigail Gilleland (1B), and Kadie Sullens (3B) return to anchor what should be a solid lineup and defense. Move-in senior Julian Garrett along with senior Devin Imai, can both play multiple positions and Garrett will see some time behind the plate, as will Carver.
Seniors Carson Negley and Amber Smith, juniors Hailey Tanner and Camilla Howell, and sophomore Macy Clark will all see time in the outfield for the Lady Trojans.
Carver, who hit .500 in 2015, along with Brewster and Garrett, should lead the way at the plate.
“We have a lot of high expectations for ourselves this season,” Russell said. “If not for seeing Walnut Grove in the second round we felt we were a team that could have gotten to Columbus. That’s our goal this year.”
UNION COUNTY
The Lady Panthers are coming off an Elite 8 appearance in Class AA in 2015 but have moved up to Region 7-AAA with the new realignment. But with six returning starters from a 25-9 season, including senior pitcher Laken Chambers, they should be right in the mix for a region title and the playoffs.
“The region competition should be a little more consistently difficult in 7-AAA but we’ve been playing the bigger schools over the years so we should be ready for that,” Union County coach Jessica Stewart said. “We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Of the six returnees, only three remain in their spots from last season. Chambers will be joined by senior third baseman Lydia Arrowood and junior Jillian Lawn returns at first base.
Senior Kendra Tanner moves from shortstop to second; junior Braden Poteete moves from centerfield to shortstop; and sophomore Aladriel Arnold moves from rightfield to left.
The most notable newcomer will be freshman Mary Wischmeyer taking over the catching duties. Sophomore Ellie Garrison will take over in center with the rightfield spot still undecided.
“I am a big defensive coach so I’m hoping the changes will make us a little stronger based on the talent we have for certain positions,” Stewart said. “We’re obviously asking a lot from a freshman (Wischmeyer) at catcher but she is very athletic.”
Stewart said they are balanced in all three phases and with Chambers in the circle she said they can win the slugfests just as easily as a 1-0 contest.
“We have some girls that can hit so I feel like we’ll be able to score runs. And we’ll put Laken up against anybody,” she said. “The biggest concern early will be the defense with all the changes. If that comes around I like our chances.”
