Here’s a link to the recap from the 2016 USA South Conference Softball tournament where Carroll County High School graduate 🎓 was named the MVP

https://ferrumpanthers.com/news/2016/4/18/4_18_2016_2640

During my time in High School 🏫, back when dinosaurs 🦕 roamed the land, I was blessed to cross paths with some Amazing Student Athletes at nearby schools. Over at Oscar Smith High School was a senior named Kenny Easley. Easley was a beast on the football field, playing offense and defense ➕ I can remember him as a kicker.

Easley played Basketball 🏀 in his spare time and on Saturday mornings he would come over to Norview High School to play pickup Hoops with our Coach, Hamp.

Easley earned a scholarship from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Easley earned multiple All-American recognition while playing for the Bruins. In the off season he played two seasons of Junior Varsity Basketball as well.

After his Sophomore year Easley was offered a spot on the Varsity roster at UCLA but turned it down. His reasoning was that the wear and tear of playing two Varsity sports at the same time in addition to his classes would be too much for someone to accomplish.

Don’t feel sad for Easley as he would get drafted by the Seattle Seahawks and become one of the greatest defensive backs in National Football League history and made the Hall of Fame.

Strickland managed to play both Volleyball and Softball for the Ferrum College Panthers while earning her degree. Astonishing to think about and now Cheyenne Strickland Marinus will walk us through just what it took to do that across four years.

I’m pretty sure that both Easley and myself are anxious to hear more about that.

  Cave Spring High School Softball captured the State Championship in 2013, the same season that Carroll County High School announced that veteran Coach Rick Nester would be taking over the Lady 👩 Cavaliers program.

Nester and Jeff Tobler made the transition from coaching football together to the Diamond 💎 and by the beginning of season number three the long time friends were starting to get the hang of things.

” We started the season with the hope of landing the top seed in Conference 24,” said Nester. ” We knew we had four Seniors to lead us plus some up and coming younger players in key spots.”

  The team stood at an impressive 10-0 with a hard fought victory over a talented Knights team up in the Star 🌟 City. Game 11 was set for Cavalier Park and when the night 🌙 was over, Nester was looking down the road for the first time.

  ” We were tied up 3-3 headed into the top of the seventh and they pushed across three runs in their half,” Nester added. ” Our Ladies didn’t flinch and we scored four runs to win it in walkoff fashion. That was the first time that I started to think about what we might be able to accomplish.”

  The team only surrendered 38 runs across the 19 regular season games, quick math shows 2.0 runs allowed. But the Lady Cavaliers showed that they had the ability to outscore a team when they needed to do so.

We will have an in depth look at this contest plus many more. One of the questions that need to be answered is, when was the first time that everyone involved flirted with the idea 💡 that Carroll County High School Softball could win the whole thing ???

The Osbornes

As I write this this morning, I’m reminded of a popular saying, “Have Bags-Will Travel,” as I am packing my bags to travel to North Myrtle Beach for a Travel Softball Tournament this weekend!!! I don’t even know where to begin to pen down what it means to me to be a “Softball Dad.” I absolutely cherish every moment that I am Blessed to be able to be a “Bleacher Bum” and cheer on my Morgan! From T-ball to School Ball, to Travel Ball, she has drug this Old Man All over the place, and I’ve Loved Every Mile❤️ So many lessons and experiences for us Both!

     As I look back, it’s hard for me to believe that her Softball career is probably at the halfway mark. It’s been a fun ride so far, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds?!! I am just Thankful and Blessed to be able to be her Biggest Fan!!!🙏❤️ As she has accumulated a room full of trophies, rings, and medals, my biggest reward is having a Lifetime of Memories made with my Daughter on a “Dirty Ole Diamond”!!! ❤️❤️🥎🥎

  When you decide to take on a project the size of this one, there is no way to know how many people will choose to get involved. One of the folks that played a role in June 13, 2015 was Craig Worrell, who at the time coveted High School sports for the newspaper 📰 located in Galax.

  The old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words might have been created with Craig in mind. The Galax Gazette was home to his efforts for an entire generation and the residents of Carroll County were blessed to have him !

  The Worrell Brothers ( but No, not really), were a fixture in regards to The Hill. Allen Worrell ( no relation) at The Carroll News was also in Lynchburg back in 2015 and coverage was also available in the Roanoke Times and the Washington Post. Craig Worrell is to photography what the Steve Miller Band is to Classic Rock 🎸, in that the work is something that brings a smile to peoples faces.

Thank You Craig Worrell 🙏. Much more to be included down the road…

Thank You Sir !