| Caleb Suggs

Powell, Stinson and Wooley have unfinished business

Caleb Suggs

Hartselle Enquirer

As the 2015-16 school year ends in about a month, many of the class of 2016 seniors begin to start reminiscing on their time in Hartselle as they begin to experience senioritis and look forward to what lies ahead after high school. For Hartselle’s softballs two sport athletes Bailey Powell, Anna Stinson and Mary Jane Wooley, there is still a lot of unfinished business left before graduation rolls around. The senior trio is determined to end their tenure at Hartselle with a state championship after coming so very close in previous sports and years.

Sitting with these three seniors and talking with them about their lives and careers they have had in Hartselle, it was hard for them to not be overwhelmed with the feelings of nostalgia. “We have been playing these sports since we could basically walk and most of those years we spent playing with each other,” Powell said “to think that it is almost over is just surreal.”

The trio is use to playing with each other and to the demanding and successful traditions that come with being a Hartselle Tiger as they played together in Dixie league softball and middle school volleyball and basketball. “We have been in Hartselle a long time,” Stinson said “so we know very well the traditions that come with playing at Hartselle.” Once in high school, Powell elected to go with volleyball while Stinson and Wooley decided to stick with basketball. Still, their winning traditions never changed. “Winning is in them,” head softball coach Christy Ferguson said. “They have seen it, been around it, experienced and just know what its about.”

The trio experienced plenty of winning especially in the first two years at Hartselle. Hartselle claimed the volleyball state championship in Powell’s freshmen year and then the softball championship when all three were sophomores. While that was nice, none of the three were starters on either team and it left them hungry to claim a title of their own. “Just being there and being able to experience that kind of win and excitement was a great moment,” Stinson said.”

“It really didn’t feel like we were separate or anything,” Powell added, “even though we didn’t play it felt as though we had played all day because we were just so much a family.”

“I think it was a great experience for them to be there and that’s why I brought them along,” Ferguson said. “I wanted them to go through that so they could take that experience into their junior and senior years and see what it takes.

The road to trying to claim another title has been nothing short of exciting. In her junior year, Powell helped the Lady Tiger’s volleyball team advance all the way to elite eight before falling in the state tournament. This year she was one of the key leaders on a talented team that dominated this area en route to the state tournament.

Once there they fought their way all the way to the final four before losing a tough series to John Carroll Catholic.

Basketball has been much of the same. In 2014-15 Stinson and Wooley helped the Tigers claim their first Morgan County championship in several years before  falling in the Area tournament. In 2015-16 Stinson and Wooley were seniors on a team that would go on one of the most momentous runs in recent history. The Tigers claimed their second straight Morgan County championship for the first time in many years. The Tigers went on to pull off two big upsets in the regional tournament. Then, Hartselle mounted a big comeback to defeat area foe Austin after previously losing to the Black Bears three times during the season, all of which were close games. They went on to the final four in Birmingham where they were narrowly defeated by eventual champion Leflore. Even though they lost, the buzz they had created around Hartselle girl’s basketball was still there.

The three seniors have been so close to claiming their title this year and now have one last opportunity in softball.

“We were so close in basketball” Wooley said “and now in softball I don’t want to be so close again.”

It hasn’t been an easy start for the Tigers. Last summer the Tigers had to endure the unexpected passing of assistant coach Robyn Riley. This season Hartselle has struggled with their hitting. However, the Tigers have picked it up which resulted in a high scoring narrow 13-11 loss to West Morgan in the Morgan County championship. Despite the loss it put things in perspective for the Tigers of what they are capable of and has motivated them for a deep run in the postseason despite all the negative comments they have received.

“People say that we can’t go far,” Powell said “but they don’t know that. I feel like we are going to get it done.”

Apart from focusing on winning the championship this year, the seniors also have a key job in helping to mold the very talented youngsters that are coming up.

“It was tough to begin with because we had to deal with Robyn passing which was tough on us,” Powell said  “but we had to be leaders for the young ones to help them get through it.”

“I know it can be hard for them to have to continue to hear about how good the young ones are and they may wonder well what is wrong with us,” Ferguson said “but their so important because they know what it takes to win here and they have to lay the foundation for the younger players.”

Stinson added, “I think it’s easier on us because we were sophomores when softball won state, and we know how we looked up to those seniors so we know the kind of example we need to set for the sophomores and freshmen now.”

The senior trio has one month to go and they are hoping for a state title. No matter the outcome, the legacy these three have left in their respective sports has no doubt made an impact but also will make a lasting impression on the years when they are gone.