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Lady Wolves final hope?
I'm certainly not meaning to slight Vidalia's baseball or softball team or Monterey's baseball team, but Monterey's softball team seems to be our last hope for a somewhat disappointing school year to end on a very high note.
The 2011-12 sports year has not been a great one for Concordia Parish.
In football, Ferriday was beaten in the first round of the playoffs by University Lab 46-12.
In basketball, Ferriday's boys fell to Riverside 115-43 in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs. Riverside lost to John Curtis in the state finals.
Monterey's boys fell to Fairview 106-50 in the Class B first round. Fairview lost to eventual state champion Zwolle in the semifinals.
Monterey's girls fell to Negreet 45-35 in the first round of the playoffs.
Vidalia's softball team is currently rated No. 16 in the Class 3A power ratings. If the Lady VIkings can get a home playoff game in the first round, it would certainly be a big plus.
But Vidalia's girls play in one of the toughest districts in the state, and have not played consistent enough softball throughout the season to make a run. Certainly that could change. The Lady Vikings have the kind of talent to where if the pieces fall right, they can be a surprise in the postseason.
But it's going to take more consistency in the field and at the plate. And it's going to take the Lady Vikings going into the playoffs with the kind of confidence you find in teams such as district foe Buckeye, Parkview Baptist, Iowa and Notre Dame.
Vidalia's baseball team is currently rated No. 35. The Vikings need a strong finish to get in the top 30 and keep away from playing a top three team if they do make the playoffs.
Monterey's baseball team is ranked No. 19. The Wolves have lost a few one-run games and are capable of making some noise if they can get hot at the right time.
Monterey needs to finish in the top 20 to have a chance to get a first round win and gain some confidence.
The parish's best chance lies with the Lady Wolves.
Monterey's softball team is currently rated No. 12.
The Lady Wolves face No. 6 Grace Christian on Thursday. A win there would be huge for the Monterey girls and probably seal a home playoff game in the first round.
The Lady Wolves returned most of their team which advanced to the State Tournament in Sulphur last year.
Monterey already has posted some big wins over the likes of Avoyelles Chater and Grace Christian.
Monterey assistant softball coach Joe Bairnsfather has followed Monterey softball for years.
"Before the season I felt this team was comparable to last year's team," Joe said. "But we had two people out early with mononucleosis, one out recently with strep throat and some other complications. Our pitching has been good, but our bats have been ice cold at times. We've had some problems with errors and not coming up with the timely hits. But the good thing is that we still have time to get better before the playoffs."
Bairnsfather said playing in the state tournament last year is a big key to getting back there.
"I think our schedule has been a lot tougher this year, as well," Bairnsfather said. "I feel that we haven't reached our potential as of yet but that the athletic ability is there. It is time for us to step up, get focused and put it together for the stretch run in district and the opportunity to start out with a playoff game at home. The girls have got to remember that feeling when they went to state last year and do whatever it takes to get themselves back to Sulphur."
And give parish fans something to finally cheer about. |
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