Jack Britt
Coach: Jess Grooms
Top returners: Emma Sandoval, RF, Jr.; Naomi Rosario, SS, So.; Jordan McCrimmon, P/DP, Sr.
Promising newcomers: JoAnna Rone, C, Fr.; Haylee Lamb, INF/P; Kailey Crenshaw, INF/C.
Coach’s comment: “I am excited about this upcoming season. I took a year off due to maternity leave. Now that I’m back I’m locked in, as the kids would say, and I can confidently say Jack Britt softball is back. We have a wonderful coaching staff. For the first time in a few years we have a strong JV program with some very talented freshmen and sophomores. On the varsity we are very strong on the defensive side of the ball. We are going to go out and compete every night. I’m especially excited for the seniors. They’ve seen the program in the Sebrina Wilson and Joe Myrtle era and in its lows the past couple of years. They keep coming out and working hard and I’d love to send them off with a winning season.’’
Cape Fear
Coach: Jeff McPhail
Top returners: Olivia Melvin, Alex Serbio, Allie Dawson.
Promising newcomers: Kililah DeLaCruz, Kayleigh Brewington.
Coach’s comment: “We graduated three top players with pitching, catching and shortstop. We’ve got players from last year playing in different positions. Right now we are learning to see who can play what positions and learning our batting lineup. Everything is kind of new for us this year.’’
Freedom Christian
Coach: Heath Miller
Top returners: Rylan Miller, Victoria Bryant, K.K. Swinson, Savannah Graham.
Promising newcomers: Genesis Lebron, Aubrey Multerer, Melanie Multerer.
Coach’s comment: “This group fell one run short of a state championship last year and has returned even more hungry this spring. The top returners mixed with our newcomers and the marked improvement in returners Caroline Powell, Kaylee Powell, Maddie Cole and London Chavis have the Patriots set up for a promising season. The pitching staff of Miller and Bryant have proved stingy for the Patriots the last few years. This year, with added firepower, the Patriots offense hopes to be able to make a name for itself as well.’’
Pine Forest
Coach: Paige Parker Faircloth
Top returners: Jamya Harris, Savannah Winstead.
Promising newcomers: Hannah Miller, Aaliyah Roche.
Coach’s comment: “We have a lot of returners this year and newcomers. We will work hard as a team to stay successful this season.”
Fayetteville Christian
Coach: Denzel Wallace
Top returners: Abigail Lagos, Jordan Winans, Sarah Depaola.
Promising newcomers: Bailey Johnson, Peyton Simpson.
Coach’s comment: “We have put together one of the strongest schedules in our division as we will be tested early by most teams that have competed for championships. This will be a great test coming from a young team that wasn’t able to compete for playoffs last year to working back to compete for championships as our program has traditionally become year-to-year. I’m excited to see where the year takes us and our growth as a whole by the end of the season.’’
Terry Sanford
Coach: Jeff McPhail
Top returners: Brionna McPhail, Addison McPhail, Maddie Harrell, Shayla Fredella.
Promising newcomers: Adyson Maples, Kayla McCormick.
Coach’s comment: “We are in another building year for the Bulldog softball program. The future is looking bright in the few years to come.’’
South View
Coach: Phil Dean
Top returners: Savanna Delp, SS, Sr.; Jordynn Parnell, P, So.; Kaylie Cook, OF/P, Jr.; Paige Ford, C, Jr.
Promising newcomers: Destiny Shoulars, OF, Fr.
Coach’s comment: “With seven returning starters from last year’s 20-5 team we feel we can compete for the United 8 Conference championship. Staying healthy will be a must.’’
Westover
Coach: Damita Terry
Top returners: Kellis Barfield, C; Syndi Williams, INF; Kelleah McLean, OF; Angelica Paulos, P.
Promising newcomers: Alexus Voccell, INF; Assianah Scott, OF.
Coach’s comment: none provided.
Gray’s Creek
Coach: Stuart Gilmer
Top returners: Amariya Green, Anna Cobb, Roshell Williams.
Promising newcomers: Saniyah Leach.
Coach’s comment: “We are a young team with solid senior leadership. We are going to focus on the fundamentals, mentality and attitude. I am looking forward to a great season.’’
