North Georgia high schools set for another strong softball season

Last season continued the strong tradition of softball amongst north Georgia high school programs.

Buford won its fifth straight Class AA title; White County had another solid campaign in defense of its 2010 Class AAA state title, winning 25 games; and Union County, coming off a Class AA runner-up to Buford in 2010 , won its second straight Region 8-AA title and notched 28 victories.

But as the 2012 regular season gets underway this week, replacement will be a common theme for many programs as they will be looking to fill key positions from a year ago.

Buford must replace five seniors that signed college scholarships after last season. Union County is looking for a replacement for two-time Class AA Pitcher of the Year Angie Hughes, who has moved on play college ball. East Hall, which set a season-high in wins last year, will have to replace its top three players from last year, and White County will also be looking to find new consistency in the circle. A number of other area teams will be a year older and hoping to take advantage of that factor.

"We have a lot to replace but we have a great core back and several players who have worked hard and waited for their opportunity to contribute," Buford coach Tony Wolfe said. "We should be very competitive by the end of the year if our intangibles come together and our seniors become the leaders we expect them to be."

Union County coach Jessica Stewart sounded much the same as her Lady Panthers try to defend its Region 8-AA title.

"It will be hard to replace (Hughes) on the mound but we have three pitchers that are working hard and we expect good things from them," Stewart said. "I think we're capable of competing for a third straight title."

East Hall coach Jenny Crow said they will be looking to keep moving forward.

"We have a young core of players looking to improve and continue on our growth as a program," she said. "That will be our main focus. The girls we lost helped get us where we are now and will be tough to replace."

Here are capsules of area teams accessnorthga.com was able to reach before the Lanier Point Tournament marked the beginning of the 2012 season over the weekend.

2012 TEAM CAPSULES
(Teams listed alphabetically*)

BANKS COUNTY
-- HEAD COACH: Tony Bowen, first season
-- 2011 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 18-10, Threads Invitational Champions
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- KEY PLAYERS (includes stats from 2011 when available): Sr. OF/1B McKenna Rylee
Sr. OF Morgan Cox
Sr. OF Toni Mullins
Sr. 2B/SS Sabrina Porter
Sr. 1B/OF Sara Holloway
Jr. C/3B Haley Warner
Jr. C/1B Lindsey Elliott
Jr. SS/2B Taylor Kennedy
Jr. P/1B Savannah Denton
-- 2012 OUTLOOK: With a new head coach, the Lady Leopards will be look to improve on a solid 2011 campaign. Banks graduated All-State shortstop Madison Franklin but brings back nine players with varsity experience. The Lady Leopards should be fine offensively, the question comes on defense. If Banks can find the right combination defensively, it feels it can compete for the postseason in a very tough region.

BUFORD
-- HEAD COACH: Tony Wolfe, 5th season, 158-28-2 overall.
-- 2011 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 34-11, Class AA State Champions
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- KEY PLAYERS (includes stats from 2011 when available): So. P/1B Bria Bush -- 12-4 rec., 1.26 ERA, 100 IP, 103 K, 62 H
So. P/1B -- Tessa Daniels -- 17-4 rec., 1.21 ERA, 127.3 IP, 71 K, 94 H -- .281 avg, 27 H, 13 R, 22 RBI, 2 HR, 5 2B
So. 2B Jordan Deep -- .383 avg., 51 H, 27 R, 37 RBI, 7 HR, 11 2B
So. OF Remington Hasty -- .469 avg., 23 H, 18 R, 15 RBI, 4 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR
Jr. C Noah Sudderth -- .333 avg., 14 H, 7 R, 10 RBI, 3 2B, 2 HR
Sr. OF Rebekah Rude -- .280 avg., 28 H, 24 R, 11 RBI,
-- 2012 OUTLOOK: The Lady Wolves must replace their SS, 3B, CF and DH from a year ago. They are not expected to be the power-hitting team that belted 45 home runs in 2011 and will have to rely on more small-ball this season. Bush and Daniels will be strong in the pitching circle, however, and should keep Buford in every game.

CHESTATEE
-- HEAD COACH: Angela Shepheard, 2nd season, 3-15
-- 2011 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 3-15
-- REGION: 8-AAAA
-- KEY PLAYERS (includes stats from 2011 when available): Sr. 3B Danielle Stephens
Sr. P Heather McGlothlin
Jr. P/C Bridgette Kelly,
-- 2012 OUTLOOK: The Lady War Eagles are still in a rebuilding mode but should be improved. They will be young but McGlothlin should keep them in most games. Finding consistency on offense will be a key.

COMMERCE
-- HEAD COACH: Pam Canup, 10th season
-- 2011 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 8-19
-- REGION: 8-A
-- KEY PLAYERS (includes stats from 2011 when available): Savannah Barnett, Jr. P/OF
So. P/1B/OF Bridget Barnett
So. P/3B/OF Jenna Thomas
Fr. C/IF/OF Mattie Canup
Fr. C/IF/OF Libbi Lance
So. 3B/SS Rachel Floyd
Jr. OF Hannah Crumley
Jr. IF Kaylee Partin
Sr. IF Chelsea Southerland
Sr. OF Emily Gonzalez
-- Outlook for season: The Lady Tigers will be young in some areas but are expecting to make a run at the playoffs in the new Region 8-A. The pitching will be young but talented.

DAWSON COUNTY
-- HEAD COACH: Jimmy Pruett
-- 2011 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 21-11, first round of Class AA playoffs
-- KEY PLAYERS (includes stats from 2011 when available):
Sr. P/1B Jenna Abbott - Auburn commit
Sr. OF Carly Gilreath
Sr. 2B Natilie Burt
Sr. SS Samantha Moulder
Jr. P Martie Rogers

-- 2012 OUTLOOK: The Lady Tigers will be looking to improve on last year's playoff appearance. They are in the new Region 7-AAA, which features Buford, which won five straight Class AA titles coming into this season. 7-AAA also has White County, which won the 2010 Class AAA title. Abbott is rehabbing a shoulder injury at the start of the season and will be limited in the circle. Rogers will get the bulk of the work in her absense. They won the Lanier Point Tournament this past weekend.

EAST HALL
-- HEAD COACH: Jenny Crow, 4th season, 24-61-1
-- 2011 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 15-16-1, 2nd place and Lanier Point Tournament; 1st place in North Hall Classic Silver Bracket; graduated 7 seniors, 3 All-Region 8-AA team, and had 3 players sign college scholarships.
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- KEY PLAYERS (includes stats from 2011 when available): Jr. P Natalie Winters
So. P Kaitlyn Poole
Jr. 3B Ericka Lopez, 2011 All-Region 8-AA team
So. SS Kali Turner, started as a freshman
So. CF Chelsea Dale, started as a freshman
-- 2012 OUTLOOK: The Lady Vikings will be considerably younger in 2012, which may be more of a transition year. The core of their team is young but should solid offensively. Pitching and defense will be the key to another solid year. Crow believes that Winters and Poole should both see significant time in the circle.

FLOWERY BRANCH
-- HEAD COACH: Laura Beaver, 5th season
-- 2011 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 15-14
-- REGION: 8-AAAAA
-- KEY PLAYERS (includes stats from 2011 when available): Sr. OF Marissa Ivey
Sr. SS Casey Zoeller
So. CF Kelly Kahlert
Sr. P Madison Whitmire
-- 2012 OUTLOOK: Flowery Branch returns a number of players from last year's squad and hopes to use that experience to its advantage and get into the state playoffs. The Lady Falcons know they face a tough region, which includes 2011 Class AAAA playoff teams Loganville and Heritage (Conyers). Flowery Branch will look to use its speed on the base paths this season, featuring several hitters capable of putting the ball in play and getting around the bases.

GAINESVILLE
-- HEAD COACH: Michelle Green, 2nd season at GHS, 3-15; 58-39 overall
-- 2011 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 3-15
-- REGION: 8-AAAAA
-- KEY PLAYERS (includes stats from 2011 when available): Sr. C/OF Sarah Arenas
Sr. OF Mikaylei Byrd
Jr. OF/C Rachel Funk
So. 3B Angel Goss
Sr. SS Kaitlyn Roper
So. 2B Abby Smallwood
So. P Kayla Street
-- 2012 OUTLOOK: Gainesville should be much improved this season with key players returning and the addition of some talented freshman. A new region will test the Red Elephants from the start.

JACKSON COUNTY
-- HEAD COACH: Chessie Laird, 2nd season, 25-8
-- 2011 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 25-8, won the Bronze Division of the Hawk/Bulldog Invitational
-- REGION: 8-AAA
-- KEY PLAYERS (includes stats from 2011 when available): Sr. CF Victoria Fontana
Jr. SS Mason Garland
So. P/1B Jessica Baker
So. LF Alyssa Dasher
Fr. C/OF Shelton Kendrix
-- 2012 OUTLOOK: The Lady Panthers return eight players with a lot of varsity experience. They should compete for a Region 8-AAA title in 2012.

JEFFERSON
-- HEAD COACH: Melissa Mullis, 5th season (2004-2007, 2011-2012)
-- 2011 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 13-19
-- REGION: 8-AA
-- KEY PLAYERS (includes stats from 2011 when available): Sr. P Morgan McKinney
Sr. OF Cason Anderson
Sr. OF Lindsey Miles
Jr. C Ashley Boyd
Jr. P/SS Savannah Snapp
So. 3B Meagan Faulkner
Jr. 1B/P Jordan Phillips
Fr. 2B/OF Emily Dufty
So. P/IF Emily Holman
--2012 OUTLOOK: The Lady Dragons have the majority of their lineup returning and should be able to score runs. Pitching will be the key to whether they can return to the playoffs.

JOHNSON
-- HEAD COACH: Kacie Shields, 1st season
-- 2011 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 3-15
-- REGION: 8-AAAA
-- KEY PLAYERS (includes stats from 2011 when available): Sr. 3B Holli Threlkeld
Sr. P Katie Turner
Sr. OF Rachel Matthews
Sr. OF McKenna Barkley
-- 2012 OUTLOOK: Shields takes over a program that has been trying to find consistency. The Lady Knights will have senior leadership in key spots but will be young as well. They are still looking for a breakout season.

LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- HEAD COACH: Jason Osborn, 2nd season, 14-14
-- 2011 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 14-14
-- REGION: 8-AAAA
-- KEY PLAYERS (includes stats from 2011 when available): Sr. 1B Taylor Turk
Sr. C Whitney Brown
Sr. P Courtney Fortner
Sr. RF/C Kayla Smith
Sr. CF Morgan Wood
Jr. 3B Allyson Gentry
Jr. SS Kelsey Jones
Jr. P Ashley Brown
--2012 OUTLOOK: The Lady Indians were young last season and should be improved in 2012. Coach Osborne says the offense should be a strength and expects Fortner and Brown to provide solid pitching. Lumpkin could challenge for a playoff spot.

NORTH HALL
-- HEAD COACH: Brooke Russell, 2nd season, 13-17
-- 2011 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 13-17
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- KEY PLAYERS (includes stats from 2011 when available): N/A
--2012 OUTLOOK: An extremely young North Hall team will hope to improve after a year's experience. Yet the Lady Trojans are still relatively youthful and know they will have to perform to their best each game to compete in a region that includes teams such as Buford, Dawson County and White County.

UNION COUNTY
-- HEAD COACH: Jessica Stewart, 7th season, 149-69
-- 2011 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 28-9, Region 8-AA Champions
-- REGION: 8-AA
-- KEY PLAYERS (includes stats from 2011 when available): Sr. 1B Hannah Hughes -- .448 AVG/ 24 RBI/ 4 HR/ 15 Doubles 1st team All Region, 2nd Team All State
So. C Courtney Busbee -- .319 AVG/ 11 RBI 1st Team all Region/ Honorable mention all State
Sr. OF Carly Adams -- .311 AVG/ 13 RBI/ 22 Runs scored
-- 2012 OUTLOOK: Finding a replacement for two-time Class AA Pitcher of the Year Angie Hughes will be the biggest challenge for the Lady Panthers. They also lost three other top players, including two first team all-state selections. They have three pitchers they will rotate until a No. 1 emerges. They may have to rely on more high-scoring games rather than low-scoring games in the early part of the season.

WEST HALL
-- HEAD COACH: Warren Sellers, 12th season
-- 2011 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 13 -13
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- KEY PLAYERS (includes stats from 2011 when available): C/SS Ashley Neal, leading hitter the last two seasons.
Sr. CF Haley Haynes, four-year starter
-- 2012 OUTLOOK: A young team that will be in rebuilding mode. The Lady Spartans will have an experienced outfield but will need to play solid defense on the infield to be competitive.

WHITE COUNTY
-- HEAD COACH: Beth Kimsey, 2nd season, 25-9
-- 2011 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 25-9, advanced to Class AAA playoffs; one player 1st team 8-AAA All-Region, three players 2nd team All-Region
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- KEY PLAYERS (includes stats from 2011 when available): Sr. LF Lindsey Whitmire -- .316 avg., 17 RBI
Sr. C Kristen Mullis -- .325 avg., 21 RBI, 22 Walks
Sr. CF Sarabeth Cummins -- out last year due to injury is back in lineup
Jr. 3B Morgan Sullens -- solid defensively
So. P/RF Hannah Wall -- .325 avg. last year, 5-2, 2.56 ERA
Fr. P/1B Isabelle Fain -- should see time on the mound
-- 2012 OUTLOOK: A much younger team than past two seasons. Coach Kimsey says coming off a state title in 2010 was a challenge. Kimsey says White County will relish more of an underdog role this year as a younger team. Pitching should be good but will need to find some consistent offense.

*-Includes all area teams available for comment