La’Kayla Leads

Softball captain La’Kayla Massey, sophomore, has made change a priority of her second year at Cedar Shoals. 

“A lot of the senior girls, I love them to death, but they ruled over everything. Everything went their way and this year [us younger girls] have a lot more of a say in everything that goes on,” Massey said.

During the Lady Jags 2018 season, the team lacked communication which could be seen in the outcome of games (3-10). Returning as sophomores, captains Massey and Hadiza Sarr started by creating a foundational team bond.  

“We’re so close now from all of us being together on the team that they immediately became my sisters,” said Massey. 

Massey has made team chemistry a focal point for this season, interacting with them off the field.

“We went skating and swimming, and she has a lot more planned,” senior Jada Briscoe said.

Even though team bonding is her main goal for this season, bettering herself is just as important. Though she suffered a mid-season finger injury, Massey has made it known that she’s there to help her teammates any way she can, and her coaches have noticed her efforts.

“She stepped up when we asked who would like to be our catcher when we had an injured player, so that was screaming leadership to us. She was exhibiting a lot of captain-like qualities,” Head Coach Brittany Ritter said. “Coming into this year, she was at every workout and she was always on time,”

Not only is she focusing on her workouts, but La’Kayla is also setting goals for herself even though the season is half over.

“My goal is to stop 10 ground balls from getting by me, at the very least,” Massey said.

September 11 was Massey’s return to softball against Discovery High School. Cedar Shoals won 13-10, and Massey contributed 2 runs scored and one RBI.

“Comming back was fun because I got to bond with the girls and show the new girls softball,” Massey said.