Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
5:09 am Monday, August 18, 2003

NEL tackles new division this season

By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
Aug. 14, 2003
The Lady Trojans of Northeast Lauderdale will have to battle a difficult division and the loss of some key players if they want to make a third consecutive trip to the 4A State Championship game.
Northeast fell to New Hope last year in the state finals after a very successful year, but will needs to replace several graduates.
"We lost some key players," said Northeast coach Chris Harper. "But we have some girls who can play, we just need them to step up. People are going to have to step up and play in the spots we need them to step into."
The Lady Trojans will need to fill the shoes of Raleigh Odom and Lauren Webb in the middle infielder after the pair graduated. Jana Olczak will move over to shortstop to take over for Odom and Kara Hull will now be the second baseman for the Lady Trojans.
Northeast will be relying on a new pitcher this year as Kim Crawford steps in to take over the position.
"I think she can do a good job," said Harper of his new pitcher. "It's not as easy as people think it is. I think Kim is ready to accept the challenge and take care of it."
The Lady Trojans should be solid at the plate with Olczak as a leader. Jennifer Bristow should also have a good year. Eighth-grader Shelley Odom should step in swing the bat well for Northeast this season.
"We're looking for big things from several people," Harper said. "We've just got to step it up all around."
The Lady Trojans moved to the North half of the 4A for this season and will now face a very sout district.
Northeast is in the district with defending state champion New Hope and will also face a very strong Neshoba Central team that should compete for the 4A state crown this season
"It's going to be a battle," Harper said of the district. "These girls are used to battles though."
Louisville and Noxubee County will also compete against the Lady Trojans in district play.
"We just don't have any cakewalks," Harper said of district play. "We're going to have to step it up and we can. I've been with these girls every day at practice and they can play. It's just up to them whether we do it or not."
It will be a tough road to reach the state championship game again this season, but the last two years should help the Lady Trojans this year.
"They know what it takes to get there," Harper said. "It's just doing it. They will just have to be able to handle the pressure. There is a lot of pressure in this game and those who handle the pressure are the ones who make it."

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025