HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

ALL-DISTRICT IS OUT — Kilgore catcher Alyssa McKinney (above), a senior, is one of four Lady Dogs named to the All-District 14-4A team. It was their first playoff season since 2006, and while the Kilgore High School softball team didn't get out of the first round, they were impressive down the stretch in district play and several members of the team have been recognized for that achievement.

Recently, the coaches in District 14-4A — from Kilgore, Jacksonville, Henderson, Whitehouse, Nacogdoches and Lindale — gathered and chose the 14-4A All-District team, the best and most effective players during the 2009 season.

Kilgore got three first-teamers: senior Meagan Youngblood, a pitcher, and freshmen Becca Stokes and Blair Ware. Stokes, Kilgore's shortstop, was named a first-team infielder, and Ware, the center fielder, was chosen first-team outfield. Youngblood, Stokes and Ware were all unanimous choices of the coaches.

Also getting recognition was catcher Alyssa McKinney, a senior who was named to the second team.

An honorable mention on the squad was Candice Meadows, the senior first baseman who tore an ACL in her knee just after district play started. Meadows gritted it out and

came back, playing while wearing a knee brace for the remainder of the schedule, including the bidistrict playoffs against Sulphur Springs.

Kilgore head coach Cassie Newell wasn't named the district's coach of the year. That honor was shared by Henderson's Julie Lawrence and Lindale's Michelle Pruitt. But Newell does deserve credit for guiding the team to four wins in their last five games of the regular season, and back to the playoffs.

Four KHS players were named academic all-district: Stokes, McKinney, Brianna Sanders and Jalissa Baggett.

The good news for Kilgore softball fans is that so many of the players return next season, and even the next. Kilgore's roster is chock full of freshmen like Stokes, Ware, and Heather Hanks, as well as sophomores like Valarie Kornegay and Baggett.

• Banquet Monday night: The Lady Bulldogs will celebrate their season Monday night at 7 p.m. at the team's annual banquet. It will be held at Bodacious Barbecue on Highway 42, just outside of Kilgore. Dress is casual, and tickets are $10. If you'd like to go, call Newell at (903) 806-6961.