How do you measure 250 percent?

Coaches in every sport can often be heard encouraging their players to give 100 percent — even 110 — to produce the desired result.

But would you know what to do if your coach asked you to give 250 percent?

Initially, members of the Columbus High School slow-pitch softball team didn’t know how they would muster the energy or the concentration to meet the demands of new coach Jamie Melton.

But once they discovered all Melton wanted them to do was to do the little things, to be fundamentally sound, and to give their best effort, everything fell into place.

Things have gone so well that Columbus is back in the playoffs after its first winning season in a number of years. Columbus will look to continue its banner season at 2 p.m. today when it plays at Madison Central in a Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A best-of-three playoff series.

“They know I expect it from them,” said Melton, who grew up playing softball for Cary Shepherd at New Hope High. “They know for us to get through a lot of these games you’re going to have to give more than 100 percent. It comes down to who wants it the most, and they know that’s what I believe in. I saw them give 250 percent in the first game against New Hope, so I expected it after that because I know they’re capable of doing it. They know that is what they’re supposed to do and what they’re supposed to give me.

“We’re still working on a ‘we’ thing. Once we can get that established, the 250 percent will continue to come.”

A 14-13 victory against New Hope in the regular season was the highlight to a season that the players admit has surprised a lot of people — except them.

“Coach Jamie is a really good coach,” senior Shanique Ousley said. “She is the best we have had as far as pushing us and making us want to play.”

Ousley said part of giving 250 percent involves looking the ball all of the way into your glove, looking it into your throwing hand, watching the ball when it hits he ball, and giving your all and not getting down.

Bardley, one of five seniors on the team, said it was easy for the Lady Falcons to accept Melton as their new coach because while she had times when she was “cool,” she said Melton knew when to get down to business. When she did, she wasn’t afraid to push all of the players and to hold them accountable.

“Hard work pays off,” Bardley said. “All of it just came together. (Coach Jamie) asked us, ‘Do you ant to go to state?’ We said, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘Do you ant a ring?’ We said, ‘Yes.’ She told us if we listened to her she would take us anywhere we wanted to go.”

The results have been eye-opening.

“Jamie holds them accountable for playing hard all of the time and she rides them pretty hard to stay there, but that is what they need to stay there and not slack off because that is what makes bad habits,” Columbus High Athletic Director Rusty Greene said. “It has paid off.”

Greene said he hasn’t asked Melton is she would like to coach the school’s fast-pitch softball team. He said if Melton wants the job it “certainly would be something we would hope that happens.”

Columbus’ banner year included five players –Timaria Hudgins, Shanqula Fulton, Shaquera Wilson, Ne Ne Bardley, and Porchia Brooks — earning All-District honors. Melton credits the players for their hard work and their willingness to be pushed so they could reach their potential.

Melton hopes today’s series is just the first step.

“I have seen them score 13 runs in one inning against South Panola,” Melton said, “so I believe in them more than they believe in themselves. That has been the problem I have had all season, to make them believe that they can achieve. It has been a struggle. It has been a roller coaster.”

The roller coaster ride includes sweeps of South Panola and Tupelo, things a Columbus softball team hasn’t accomplished in a number of years. The truth of it is softball isn’t a sport that has had much tradition at the school in recent years. Melton hopes this season is the signal that things have changed.

“Maybe we have started a foundation, and we’ll see where it goes from here,” Melton said.

Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.