from Mike Duprez at the Lexington Times-Dispatch:
It’s easy to make the argument that Davidson County is the best in the state when it comes to prep softball.
And why not? Central Davidson is the three-time defending 2-A state champion. North Davidson, the 4-A runner-up a year ago, is undefeated at 16-0 and ranked fifth in the nation in the latest USA Today poll. Ledford was great as a 2-A program and is still strong in 3-A. East Davidson has been formidable for several years.
But the greatness is top-heavy. Teams are either outstanding or rudimentary at best. At least this season, there is no in between.
There are a number of reasons. The top teams all have excellent feeder programs through travel ball and on to junior varsity. Some of the best players have been in travel ball for years. It’s one reason why Central Davidson and North Davidson can graduate superstars and keep on humming.
Winning also begets winning. There’s no secret about that. Young girls see all the success of players like Chelsea Leonard and Tisha Mahon. Then they want it for themselves.
On the other hand, schools like Lexington and Thomasville have softball as a sport, but those teams have no chance against the better teams in the Central Carolina Conference. Those games almost always go three innings with the 15-run rule invoked.
To continue on and there’s at least two more pages from Mike Duprez, CLICK HERE…..