Here are 55 Gastonia, Shelby area high school softball players to keep an eye on in 2024
High school softball is underway in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties.
After claiming the NCHSAA 3A state title last spring, East Lincoln returns with a host of talent, as well as a target on its back. Meanwhile, perennial playoff contenders such as Cherryville, Crest, Kings Mountain and Lincoln Charter also possess high hopes for the season.
With talent scattered through the tri-county area, here are 60 Gastonia, Shelby-area high school softball players to watch in 2024.
THIS WEEK'S BEST IN SPRING SPORTS: Top performers: Perfection for Kings Mountain softball, North Gaston baseball standouts
KINGS OF THE DIAMOND: Here are 55 Gastonia, Shelby area high school baseball players to keep an eye on in 2024
Ella Pursley, So., Bessemer City
Pursley emerged last spring as a freshman, hitting .400 with three home runs and 16 RBIs. The Yellow Jackets possess a formidable lineup including Tristen Kiser, Erin Moss, Imani Rhodes and Maddie Smith.
Laylah Haynes, Jr., Burns
An all-Southern Piedmont 1A/2A performer last spring, she hit .385 with two home runs, seven doubles, 16 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. Haynes, along with Karlye Clay, Peyton Cook, Emma Walker and Laney Williams hope to extend the Lady Bulldogs’ run of league titles to three in a row.
Laila Davis, Sr., Cherryville
Hit a team-high .434 for a triple, seven doubles and 15 RBIs. A group consisting largely of juniors and seniors, she along with classmates Riley Bryant and Taylor Digh look to earn an elusive Southern Piedmont 1A/2A title.
Sara Rose Warlick, Sr., Crest
Warlick missed last season due to injury. As a sophomore, she hit .465 with four home runs and 16 RBIs, along with 10 more extra-base hits. Crest lost seven seniors from a 19-win team last spring. It hopes the experience of senior Nevaeh Blackwell and juniors Abby Edwards, Madison Emery, Aidan Ledbetter and Ella Shope can pay dividends.
Jordan McCorkle, Sr., East Gaston
The reigning Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Player of the Year hit .491 last spring with 10 home runs and 34 RBIs. Alexis Boulware, Lily Helms and Kylee Kloiber make it difficult this season to pitch around the Warriors’ senior slugger.
Taniyah Thomas, Jr., East Lincoln
Thomas returns with the hope of leading her team to a repeat NCHSAA 3A title. She hit .520 last season with three home runs and 25 RBIs. East Lincoln returns a heap of experience, including Lauren Borchardt, Madison Currence, Aubrey Gust, Lyla Haywood, Tatum Martin, and Emery Pethel.
Blair Riley, Sr., Forestview
Last spring, the Newberry signee hit .509 with a home run, five doubles and 11 RBIs with eight stolen bases. A blend of experience and youth, Riley is joined by sophomore Kayla Johnson, as well as juniors Lily Cabe, Olivia Hensley, Madison Ladin and Miley Skidmore.
Kali Weaver, Sr., Kings Mountain
A four-year starter, Weaver will split time at shortstop and pitcher. Despite only playing 11 games last season, she hit .333 with eight RBIs, five doubles and a triple. Maddie Huffman emerged last season for the Mountaineers, who along with Paige Fleming and Kayla McSwain are among the reasons there are high hopes this spring in Kings Mountain.
Sarah Terrell, Sr., Lincoln Charter
A Longwood University signee, she has a .567 career average with two home runs, 11 doubles, 21 doubles and 39 RBIs. Hailey Fiora also had a stellar 2023 season, hitting .533 with two home runs and 17 RBIs.
Skylar Smith, Jr., North Gaston
Hit .439 with a home run, six doubles, three triples and 27 RBIs.
Clara Grace Dellinger, North Lincoln
Hit a team-high .469 with a home run, nine doubles, seven triples and 18 RBIs.
Abby Clary, Sr., Shelby
An all-Southern Piedmont 1A/2A performer last spring, she hit .393 last season with an .896 fielding percentage as a pitcher despite it not being her preferred position. Clary joins fellow senior Kaidence Miller and junior Caroline Curtis as leaders on what coach Haley Hoyle describes as “a learning group” of Lady Lions.
Cailey Evans, So., South Point
Hit a team-high .511 with eight doubles and eight RBIs. Fellow sophomore Madison Bridges joins her in the lineup after hitting .483 with a home run, 12 doubles and 19 RBIs.
Madison Lee, Sr., Stuart Cramer
Hit .258 last spring with two home runs and 12 RBIs. A catcher by trade, the Roanoke College signee had a .990 fielding percentage last season, finishing with two errors in 204 total chances. The Storm will be defensive-minded in 2024, with Gaston College signee Addy Marr, junior Hadley Womack and sophomore Addie Payseur expected to contribute.
Stacia Cowan, Jr., West Lincoln
An all-state 2A performer last spring, coach Allen Chapman describes her as “the heart and soul of the team.” She hit a team-high .460 with a home run, 10 doubles and 12 RBIs. She also had a 1.85 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 53 innings pitched. Reliable infielder Addisyn Robinson and utility player Jada Willis will anchor a roster consisting largely of freshmen and sophomores.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: 55 Gastonia, Shelby area high school softball players to watch in 2024
