Effingham County High School’s softball team faced some hardship months before their season even began. Head coach Matt Huntley lost a rising sophomore to a car accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down.
Jami Bassett, who played for ECHS her freshman year, suffered a spinal injury in the accident that occurred on the first day of summer break, Huntley said. After undergoing therapy at the Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta since the accident, Bassett will return home in the next couple of weeks.
“It was a little bit of adversity for us, but I think our girls have grasped on. Jami has done wonders and she’s going to come out and be a part of us this year,” Huntley said. “This season we’re really looking to rally around her.”
The team is young – six freshmen, nine sophomores, five juniors and three seniors – but doesn’t lack experience or talent. Although he lost six seniors, all starters or major contributors in some way, Huntley’s attitude does not reflect the team is in a rebuilding stage.
The Lady Rebels have not made it to the playoffs since 2014 when they lost in the first round to softball powerhouse Ola High School. This year however, he thinks they may be able to break through and go deeper into the playoffs.
Although the team is talented, Huntley said he just wants to get the young players on the field and get them comfortable with one another.
Junior catcher and two-year starter Cevana Wood is returning this year. Huntley is looking for Wood to step into a veteran leadership role this season. Wood, a big-time hitter, is off to a good start in the early 2016 season.
Also returning are three of the four pitchers that led the Lady Rebels to a 14-12 season in 2015. The pitching staff is tough and has already begun to prove itself this season, only allowing one run through three games.
There are still holes to fill in the lineup, but the Lady Rebels have until August 22 to finalize their squad before region play begins.
ECHS moved up to join Region 2-AAAAAA this year – a region of only five teams.
Because there are so few teams in the region, the Lady Rebels are scheduled to play each team three times, similar to a college series. Each region series, except for the Richmond Hill series, will be played over a two-day span, with a double header on the first day and a single game the next day.
Huntley sees Richmond Hill, who finished last season with a 26-8 record and ranked No. 43 in the state, as the biggest challenge in the region for the Lady Rebels. Outside of region play, ECHS will take on some tough teams – namely No. 3 ranked East Coweta and rivals South Effingham.
“We have a tough schedule, but we try to set it up that way to test ourselves. We know when we hit the state playoffs the teams will be pretty tough, so we like to prepare,” Huntley said. “And we have a pretty good shot at making it to the playoffs I think.”
Effingham County Schedule
Aug. 19 GADC Leadoff Classic Peachtree City
East Coweta, Whitewater, Mary Persons, Columbus
Aug. 23, 4 p.m. Glynn Academy (DH) Brunswick
Aug. 25, 6 p.m. Glynn Academy Rebel Field
Aug. 30, 5 p.m. Brunswick (DH) Rebel Field
Sept. 1, 5:15 p.m. Brunswick Brunswick
Sept. 7, 5 p.m. Pinewood Chr. Bellville
Sept. 10 Greenbrier Tourn. Augusta
12:30 p.m. – Harris County 2:30 p.m. – Harlem
Sept. 13, 5 p.m. Calvary Savannah
Sept. 15, 6 p.m. South Effingham Rebel Field
Sept. 16, 5 p.m. Evans (DH) Rebel Field
Sept. 19, 6 p.m. Richmond Hill Rich. Hill
Sept. 21, 6 p.m. Richmond Hill Rebel Field
Sept. 23, 4 p.m. Richmond Hill Rich. Hill
Sept. 26, 6 p.m. Calvary Rebel Field
Sept. 27, 5 p.m. Bradwell (DH) Rebel Field
Sept. 29, 5 p.m. Bradwell Hinesville
Oct. 4 Region Tourn. Rebel Field
