After Buford and Cherokee Bluff both came within one win of state titles in 2024 -- and both return the bulk of their rosters -- is it safe to say that it’s “Title or Bust” in 2025 for both programs?
Neither Bluff coach Josh Joiner nor Buford’s Trent Adams would publicly state it, but rest assured, both coaches are focused on just that as the first official day of practice for girls fast-pitch softball gets under way on Monday.
“You never want to really say that. But, realistically (in Class 3A) we’re probably among the top two or three teams, I believe, just based on how we finished last year and what we're returning this year,” Joiner said. “But the girls still have to play the games. We've also got to stay healthy.”
The Lady Bears lost to Heritage-Catoosa in the Class 3A championship game last season.
As for Buford...
“Well, we always want to be in the conversation about winning titles,” Adams said. “But we want to win region because that helps you with the playoff seeding. You do that and you get to play at your house the first two rounds. Then head on down to Columbus. That's the plan.
“There are some really good teams out there. And East Coweta, who we lost to (in the Class 6A championship game) has almost everyone back as well. It will be a tough road again.”
But the Lady Bears and Lady Wolves weren’t the only teams to advance to the Elite 8 round in Columbus in 2024. Banks County in Class A D1 finished fourth overall and Union County in Class 2A went 1-2 in the tournament in Columbus.
Overall, 15 northeast Georgia area teams made the Georgia High School Association playoffs in 2024. Several others were close to Columbus.
East Forsyth lost in three games to Wayne County in Class 4A in the second round. In Class 3A, North Hall dropped a one-run Game 3 decision to Lafayette and Jefferson took state champion Heritage-Catoosa to three games as well in the second round.
Buford, which has won 12 state titles since 2007, brings back plenty of experience where you want it most. Seniors Caroline Stanton and Addie Rackley both return in the circle. Junior Janie Goldin is back behind the plate.
Roaming the outfield will be juniors Ella Pierce Hensley and Brooklyn Atha, with both expected to provide solid defense and production at the plate.
Senior Kadyn Gabrels is back at third base with Rackley seeing most of the action at first base when she’s not in the circle. But the Lady Wolves also will feature several talented underclassmen.
Sophomore Lydia Hamrick should start at second base with sophomore Emma Asmer and freshman LG Goldin splitting time at shortstop.
“When you’ve got a 1-2 combo like Caroline and Addie pitching, you feel like you have a chance to win every time out,” Adams said. “But playing solid defense behind them is the big key and I feel like that is a strength of our team. But I also feel our lineup will be able to score runs in a variety of ways.”
The Lady Bears find themselves in a similar boat, with loads of returning experience. Juniors Peyton Davis and Jaycee Archer are back in the circle and they return all but one from what was a potent lineup in 2024.
But their only key loss to graduation was a big one. Catcher Kate Herrin, who was named the Class 3A state player of the year last season, led Bluff in average (.476), home runs (9) and was second on the team in RBI (33). She is now playing at Furman.
But they were far from a one-person group. Five players that were named First-team All-State are back.
Senior shortstop Audrey Graham returns and was third in average (.349), led the team in RBI (39), and was second in home runs with 5. Seniors Kaitlyn Benitez (3B), Mac Warren (2B), Quinn Kiewert (catcher) and Claire Carlson in the outfield give Bluff a solid and experienced lineup and defense.
Joiner knows they will not be able to sneak up on anyone this season. He said they are embracing the challenge.
“We're excited about our team this year, and about the opportunities that we're going to get,” Joiner said. “But for us to get to where we want to be, we have to challenge ourselves so it’s always in the scheduling. You’ve got to schedule tough teams with with really good pitching.
“With the teams that we play this year, we'll get embarrassed if we don’t show up every day. The girls know that every moment that they get on the softball field this year is going to be a big moment. I feel we're ready for it.”
