The Clarendon County 12U All-Stars are headed to the state tournament for the first time, and coach Lee Gibbons believes the team's success has been built on something more important than wins and losses.
"They trust each other 100 percent now," Gibbons said. "They actually care for each other. It's more like a family."
After emerging from the District 9 tournament in Sumter earlier this month, Clarendon County earned a berth in the Diamond Youth Softball 12U State Tournament, scheduled for June 20-23 in Bluffton.
The team battled through a double-elimination district bracket that included Sumter and Kingstree. After suffering an 8-7 loss to Sumter on June 6, Clarendon County responded with back-to-back victories over Sumter the following day, winning 10-4 and 8-7 to claim the district championship and advance to state.
Clarendon County will open state tournament play against Aynor at 10 a.m. June 20.
The 12-player roster was assembled from three Clarendon County Recreation Department teams through a nomination and voting process involving local coaches.
Gibbons, a longtime recreation and travel ball coach with 19 years of coaching experience, said bringing players from different teams together was one of the group's earliest challenges.
To help build chemistry, he intentionally paired players with teammates they didn't already know.
"I made them throw with girls they didn't know," Gibbons said. "I made them talk and communicate. Everybody had to tell me about each other. It worked out because now they're hanging out together, playing ball together and trusting each other."
That trust showed throughout the district tournament.
Gibbons pointed to strong defensive play as a turning point, including multiple double plays turned by the infield and key catches in the outfield.
"We had some outstanding defensive games," he said. "The girls were making plays all over the field."
Offensively, several players delivered big performances during the district run. Among those Gibbons highlighted were Paislee Gibbons, Braylee Weaver, Mollie Watts, Mary Malcolm Floyd, Isabella Hickman, Jocelyn Robison, Olivia Way and Annalise Lambert.
According to GameChanger statistics from the district tournament, Paislee Gibbons collected multiple hits in several games, while Floyd delivered two inside-the-park home runs during the championship run. Watts and Floyd also contributed strong performances in the pitching circle.
Gibbons said the team's development came from a steady focus on fundamentals.
The All-Stars practiced four days a week, often facing travel ball teams in scrimmages. When mistakes occurred, Gibbons used them as teaching opportunities.
"We run practice like we run games," he said. "If somebody makes an error, we stop and explain it and show them how to fix it."
The state tournament appearance is especially meaningful because several players will age out of the 12U division after this summer.
For many on the roster, including some preparing to move into school softball programs next year, it will be their final opportunity to compete together at the recreation level.
While the team is excited about the challenge ahead, Gibbons said the focus remains the same.
"We're going to keep practicing, keep scrimmaging and keep working," he said. "If we win, we win. If we lose, we lose. But we're going to come into state with confidence. It won't be an easy walk in the ballpark for anybody."
ROSTER
Braylee Weaver, Mollie Watts, Mary Malcolm Floyd, Paislee Gibbons, Anna Strickland, Logan Lee, Isabella Hickman, Annabelle Floyd, Joselyn Robison, Annalise Lambert, Olivia Way and Adylyn Bowen.
SPECIAL EVENT
The American Legion Williams Post 68 Lady Warriors will host a special recognition event for the Clarendon County 12U All-Stars at 6:30 p.m. June 18 at the Laurence Manning Academy softball field. The public is invited to attend and show support for the team before it departs for the state tournament in Bluffton.
