Lady Panthers use offseason practice to balance youth

The Magnet Cove Lady Panthers are young this year. The team lost its entire infield to graduation. And the infield needs chemistry to play well. But coach Jason Golden said those young players have matured and grown because of the experience they do have and the team’s great offseason. The Lady Panthers posted a 6-2 conference record last year. They lost in the second round of the district tournament to Foreman, falling 14-0. They lost 10-0 in the regional tournament to Rison. Golden said that doesn’t reflect the season his team had. The team had some good experience against top-flight competition that seasoned them for a tough conference schedule. “We lost one of our best RBI- and runproducing players right before the postseason due to an ACL tear, and our all-state shortstop, who went on to play collegiately, broke her middle finger on her throwing hand the same week,” Golden said. “So that didn’t help playing a team like Rison, who went on to win the state title. During our game with them, we were in it early, and it was just a two-run game going into the fourth [inning]. Our starting pitcher had to be taken out because a blister on her pitching hand kept coming open. And against a high-caliber team like Rison, it was hard to overcome.” Although the year ended with disappointment, Golden said, his team has put that behind them, and they have all eyes forward. “Last year’s game against Rison has nothing to do with what we’re doing this year,” Golden said. “Our mettle is something we test almost daily. It’s not easy playing for me. And I’m constantly pushing them to get better. I learned a long time ago from a coach that I’ve looked up to my whole career that ‘players are like rubber bands. You never know how good they are until you stretch them.’ With that said, I put them in pressure situations in practice to see how they’ll handle it.” Kaitlyn Farr and Katie Jones have emerged as the leaders of the team. Golden expects his team to continue growing, in a hurry.

Our mettle is something we test almost daily. It’s not easy playing for me.” JASON GOLDEN MAGNET COVE BASEBALL HEAD COACH