The Lady Greyhounds had plenty of on-the-job training last year as they battled their way into the postseason. Now, they are banking on being able to cash in on that gained experience.
Playing in a bloated region with nine other teams, Jones County hit its stride late, going on to give Eastside, which advanced to the Elite 8, a scare in the opening round, pushing the bestof- three series to a third game.
“We had a young team that at the end of the year, got a lot of experience,” Lady Greyhounds head coach Tripp Burt said.
“We went up there to Eastside and won a game in that series.”
There was a degree of letdown in losing, but plenty of optimism coming away from a season in which freshmen and sophomores saw plenty of playing time.
Now, with just four seniors having graduated, a young team from a year ago has another season of experience, something that’s expected to pay off.
“Now, we’re basically a year older with more experience,” Burt said.
“They feel like they’re ready for it.”
JCHS does lose leading power hitter Tranasia Parker and one of its top pitchers, Ansley Pegg, to graduation, but there’s plenty to turn toward.
Three pitchers who have pitched lots of innings and in big moments are on hand, meaning that there’s a wealth of experience in the pitcher’s circle by way of Cate Downey, Ensley Barnes, and Kaliegh Scarborough.
Downey has the most experience of those three from last year with 55 innings pitched, but Scarborough and Barnes have seen plenty of time as well with eight combined starts.
“It’s good knowing you’ve got pitchers who have been there, pitchers that have pitched in big situations,” Burt said.
“They’re used to it and ready to show what they can do.”
Parker’s big-hitting power may have departed, but there’s plenty of offensive spark for the Lady Greyhounds to expect.
Part of that is by way of Barnes, whose four homers last year was second only to Parker.
Barnes is also the leader in RBIs from last season.
Briscoe was also among the top hitters in average, hitting .351.
“She’s one of our best athletes,” Burt said.
“Hopefully, she can continue doing what she’s been able to do for us.”
In the outfield, Marissa Moore figures to be key, both defensively and at the plate. She primarily played left field last year but could also move over toward center field, according to Burt.
Moore, Briscoe, and Genna Maki have proven ability to put the ball in play as the trio led the team in singles last year.
“It’s like we say, she covers two-thirds of the earth’s surface,” Burt said of Moore.
Regardless of the Lady Greyhounds’ starting lineup, they’ll once again have to navigate a testy region. Ola’s a regular favorite to win the region, and a season ago it advanced to the Elite 8 in Columbus. Union Grove also advanced past the first round of the state tournament a season ago, underscoring the fact that any margin for error in region play is slim.
Last year, Jones County beat out Locust Grove by one game for the region’s fourth postseason spot, and with top region contenders also including ELCA, starting region play strong will be key.
The Lady Hounds’ first game against a team from the region’s top half is Aug. 12, hosting Locust Grove with Union Grove at home a week later.
JCHS is also scheduled to host Ola Sept. 3.
