By T. Scott Boatright
Choudrant junior Zoey Smith was named District 2-B MVP after leading the Aggies at the plate this past season. Photo by Josh McDaniel
Consistency throughout the 2024 season paid off for Choudrant junior catcher Zoey Smith as she has been named the All-District 2-B Most Valuable Player.
Wayne Antley, her head coach, has been named the District 2-B Coach of the Year after leading the Lady Aggies to a record of 19-6 overall with a perfect 3-0 in district play.
Smith led District 2-B with a .455 batting average in district play, recording seven RBIs, three doubles and a triple along the way.
“She batted well for us throughout the season,” Antley said of Smith. “She’s a consistent and unselfish player. The thing that really stands out to me was her final at bat of the season. She could have gone out swinging but she took a walk. She did it for the team.
Lady Aggies joining Smith on the All-District 2-B softball first team were pitcher Holly Bennett, who turned in a 1.00 ERA while batting.300); infielder Bailey Grace Weaver, who batted an even ,300; infielder/pitcher Addison Worley, who hit at a .285 clip, outfielder Kylie Willis, who turned in a .400 batting average; infielder Emma Boggs, who hit at a .300 percentage; and outfielder Kelsee Guillotte, who also batted around .300..
Antley credited his players for all of his team’s success this season.
“I’m just fortunate to be able to coach so many quality softball players and we are honored to have seven of them on the All-District 2-B team,” Antley said. “For me, any ‘Coach of the Year’ talk isn’t about anything we as coaches do. Nearly all of our players have been playing softball since they were young, and part of their success is the hard work they’ve put in for so long and lessons they’ve learned along the way.”
Simsboro put four players on the All-District 2-B softball team — pitcher Carlei Wheeler, catcher Jacoya Lewis, infielder CiCi Caldwell, and first baseman Kaylea Murphy.
Wheeler batted .400 in district play while posting a 0.389 ERA in three starts.
Caldwell batted around .600 in district play, while Murphy batted .400.
Not only was Lewis a solid batter at the plate, she played a big role as battery teammate with Wheeler, posting a perfect fielding percentage in district play.
A pair of Lady Tigers — infielders Kennady King and Callie Harrison — earned honorable mention All-District accolades.
