NEW HOPE — Monday morning was a joyous one for New Hope softball as the Trojans sent another player to the next level.

Senior outfielder Lailah Henderson officially signed her National Letter of Intent to play softball at Pearl River Community College.

She overcame two notable injuries over the past two seasons and came into her own as a senior, working through adversity to put herself in a position to play college softball.

“It’s definitely a blessing,” Henderson said. “I’m excited to go play with them. They have a great team. I had a great team here. It was a blessing to play with them and I hope to keep going.”

New Hope head coach Casey Finch Halford introduced Henderson to Wildcats head coach Christie Meeks on film at a coaching clinic in November.

Once Halford showed off her video, there was an immediate interest and that blossomed into an offer soon after.

“I started coaching her in travel ball before she even came to New Hope, putting her on 18U teams when she was still in seventh, eighth grade,” Halford said. “She’s worked really, really hard. She’s always had the upper edge on things. … She’s unbelievable in the outfield and on the bases.”

Junior year saw Henderson tear her labrum in her throwing shoulder, but despite not being able to play defensively, she was able to contribute at the plate, hitting .402 in 33 games with 37 stolen bases and a .500 on-base percentage.

Her senior year got off to a rocky start with a sprained MCL, but she still had a significant role on the team, hitting .326 in 15 games with a .500 OBP, two triples and 18 stolen bases.

While not being at full strength, the presence of her teammates made her time at New Hope that much more memorable.

“They were a good group of girls,” Henderson said. “Even when I had injuries, they were always by my side to help me and build me up. It was just a really good four years all-around.”

A two-sport athlete, Henderson was also a point guard on the girls basketball team and speed was her x-factor in both. 

She’ll now be representing New Hope in college as the next group of Trojans get ready to follow in her footsteps.

“I’m just excited for our kids that they have the drive to continue to do that at the next level, whatever sport it is,” Halford said. “For our program, it sets a bar for the next group that this is the goal that you can achieve.”