Bootheel Conference recognizes top softball players

The following girls were named to the all-conference team: Lauren Jones (Kennett), McKenzie Harris (Senath-Hornersville), Lexi Vincent (Malden), Shelby Booker (South Pemiscot), Brooke Johnson (South Pemiscot), Allyson Luce (Kennett), Ciara Dewrock (Kennett), Brittany Terrell (Malden), Hannah Kennedy (Senath-Hornersville), Johnnie Johnson (Caruthersville), Katie Kellums (Portageville), KaLee Gore (Kennett), Meagan Ramirez (South Pemiscot), Megan Smith (Senath-Hornersville), Catelyn Chism (Hayti).

The following girls were named to the conference's honorable mention team: Jessica Treece (Caruthersville), Taylor Wake (Kennett), Jordan Wagster (Kennett), Maggy Smith (Senath-Hornersville), Nicole Rushing (Senath-Hornersville), Jenna Hawkins (Portageville), Meredith Gardner (Hayti), Amanda Bennett (Malden), Kyeon Stone (Malden), Shelby Hubley (South Pemiscot).

Kennett head coach Laurie Vaughan was named coach of the year in the conference.

Kennett's Laurel Jones was named the conference's player of the year along with being named to the team. Jones says that it's a perfect ending to a championship year. "It feels amazing to be named to the Bootheel All-Conference team. I'm glad that my senior year ended with such a big bang," says Jones about being named player of the year.

Senath-Hornersville's McKenzie Harris says that being named to the team is the best way to end a high school career. "It's a great honor to be named to the all-conference team my senior year. This past season was one of the best. I will miss it greatly!"

Kennett's KaLee Gore, Allyson Luce, and Jordan Wagster all know of the importance and honor it is to be named to the all-conference team.

"It is a real honor to be named bootheel all-conference, but I couldn't have done without my team and fellow seniors," says Luce about being named all-conference. "All nine of us seniors have played together for years and this past year we gave it our all and played with all our hearts. I believe this is what helped us go all the way and win the conference championship. Though we didn't go undefeated this year, it was still a wonderful ending and I know the girls coming up can keep it going."

Gore mentions that a teammate really helped and supported her throughout the years. "It makes me feel good that I helped my team and we came together to win my last season at Kennett. I have to thank my wonderful coaches and teammates for pushing me and helping me learn ways to improve my game. I will have to say I would have never got this far if it wasn't for my two coaches, they taught me how to love the game of softball and always go for your dreams. I also want to thank my best friend and teammate Laurel Jones for always encouraging me to do my best. It feels like I just won the Lotto and good that I helped lead my team to many victories."

Wagster, who was named to the honorable mention team, says that she's thankful for being mentioned. "This is a great honor. I love the game of softball and this past year has been awesome. I have enjoyed playing softball with everybody on the team and the coaching staff is what got me where I am today."

"Sweat on the field turns into gold on the trophy case," was the motto for Hayti's Catelyn Chism this year, a year that ended on a great note with her being named to the all-conference first team. "This past season I just went out and gave it my all for my team but mostly because it was my senior year and I knew I would never get to put that Lady (Hayti) Indians uniform on again."

South Pemiscot's Shelby Booker knows that making all-conference, amid the great competition from other teams, is really a great honor to receive. "It's a great honor to be awarded for my hard work. I know many hard working girls received this reward so I feel lucky to be one of them. Our season wasn't so successful due to the fact that we had such a young team, but we were working on re-building the program. I knew, from the beginning, wins wouldn't come easy this season, but the girls looked up to me and some of our seniors as leaders, so I mostly tried to be the leader they needed. This really helped our team improve and I thank my team for helping me receiving this honor."

Caruthersville's Jessica Treece says that she just enjoyed playing softball this season, which made it easy to play her best every time she stepped onto the field. "I really enjoyed my senior year of softball. Although our team didn't have a lot of win, I had a blast playing. I am very proud in receive this honor."

The Daily Dunklin Democrat would like to congratulate these young athletes on achieving these awards.