Cass Tapley never really was “away” from the Hebron Christian fast-pitch softball team.
As the father of two girls who played softball at the school and with a son who was a multi-sport standout completing his high school career in 2016, Tapley always seemed to be at an event supporting the Eagles, whether it was as a parent, as a fan, as a photographer, or as an assistant coach.
Now, after taking a year off as the school’s softball coach, Tapley has returned to lead the Lady Eagles. Tapley and Hebron Christian will kick off the 2016 season at 5:30 p.m. today when they play host to Oak Hill Academy.
For Tapley, who doesn’t have any kids left in the softball program, it is a chance to help a team re-claim its place among the top teams in Class A of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools.
“These kids have taken their lumps over the last few years, but this year anything short of a trip to the State tournament will be a disappointment,” Tapley said. “It should be exciting.”
In 2008, Hebron Christian won Class 1A, District 3A. In 2010, the Lady Eagles went 27-13, were the runner-up in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class A North State tournament, and took third in the overall Class A State tournament. Hebron Christian lost seven seniors from that team, including All-State players Magen Tapley, Cass Tapley’s daughter, and Cathryn Moore, and five starters. In 2011, Chloe Tapley, who also is Cass Tapley’s daughter, earned her second-consecutive honor as The Dispatch’s Private School Fast-Pitch Player of the Year. The team went 1-2 in the Class A North State tournament and didn’t advance to the state tournament. Both losses were by one run.
Since then, Hebron Christian has been rebuilding. Tapley took a year off from coaching in 2012 before returning to the field in 2013.
This season, Hebron Christian will try to replace five seniors. Tapley is excited, though, because he said the seniors on the 2016 team “may be the most talented just from a pure skill standpoint as we have ever had come through Hebron.” Considering the program’s past success, that sounds promising, but Tapley knows the team will have to prove it on the field, especially after working through growing pains the last few years.
The promising sign is the Lady Eagles have plenty of experience at the key positions. Tapley said Brooke Griffin will return to the circle, where she has played a key role since the eighth grade. He said Holly Hudson will become the team’s full-time catcher and Rebekah Falkner will move to shortstop, so the team can capitalize on her “big arm and athleticism” to give the team a “solid middle,” according to Tapley.
Tapley also likes the prospects of Griffin and Hudson working together.
“(Brooke) is locating better and has better movement on the ball,” Tapley said. “Holly gives us a big arm back there.”
Tapley said ninth-grader Micah Thompson is an “athletic, gritty player” who will play third base. Madison Thompson will provide stability in left field, power in the middle of the lineup, and some innings in the circle. Tapley said seventh-grader Aubrey Eaton also will see some innings in the circle. Rachel McGrew will move to first base.
Tapley said younger players will compete at the other positions. Despite questions in a few places, Tapley isn’t going to use inexperience as an excuse because he knows the potential of these girls. In fact, what he said about some of the “wild cards” at a few positions could be said for the whole team.
“I am not worried about them at all. Actually, just the opposite,” Tapley said. “I am excited to see just how good they will become as the season advances.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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