HAMILTON, Ga. (WRBL) – Defending a State Championship is usually the phrase used to talk about a team that's doing well in the season after winning the state's biggest prize. That also means a bigger target on the Lady Tigers' back. Brandon Jenkins, the Harris County Head Softball Coach, has instilled a different mindset for this year's softball team.
"You know it is tough because you have a target on your back. But it's like I always tell the girls we're not defending anything. We're just pursuing the next one," said Jenkins.
For many teams having that much pressure on their back can be a burden. The Lady Tigers use it as motivation.
"I feel like it makes us better in a way," said senior 1st base infielder Gracie Guthery, "It makes us want to keep pushing and get better every single day."
This version of the Lady Tigers have proven they're one of the best by winning the Class 4A Region 3 Championship. It's the 12th region championship in the school's history. Five seniors graduated from last year's State Championship team, he says some new players have stepped up in a big way.
"We've had some girls step up that either played sparingly last year or they didn't play at all. So, they really stepped up to the plate and filled some big shoes for the seniors that we lost last year," said Jenkins.
Those players have a relentless attitude this season. The Lady Tigers are skilled but they pride themselves on their grit to win games, and so far they won a total of 22 games.
"You know some teams they kind of just go with the flow but we're definitely the ones that will dig deep," said junior catcher Harper Horton. "Even if we're down and it means that one person coming up and doing their job to get that run or whatever we need. Everyone does their part."
Congratulations to our newest Athletes of the Week the Harris County Tigers Softball team.
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