13 NTL players earn All-State softball honors.
By: The Review | Towanda Daily Review | July 6, 2014
2014 NTL and District 4 News
The NTL was well represented on the Pennsylvania All-State softball team.
Between three classes and all three teams the NTL had 13 players make All-State with 10 coming from the Large School Division.
Two earned first team honors: Athens' Mackenzie Hafer and Northeast Bradford's Maddy Johnson.
Earning second team honors were Wyalusing's Ally DeVoir, Northeast Bradford's Calla Johnson and the Wellsboro duo Alexa Singer and Sarah Ingerick.
Taking home honorable mention honors are the Towanda trio Alaina Wickwire, Koryn Wickwire and Emily Gorman, Troy's duo of Faith Ceely and Kerrigan Hoffman, Wyalusing's Kasey DeVoir and Canton's Kellsy Ross.
Hafer made first team in Class AAA as a catcher while Johnson made first team in Class A as an outfielder.
"I think it's great," Athens coach Rich Decatur said. "She had a great season."
Having her behind the plate was very important for the Wildcats this past season.
"She's a very good player, she calls her own games," said Decatur. "A very smart kid, well deserving."
And it has been a treat for him to watch her grow as a player these past few years.
"I had the utmost confidence in everything she ever did," Decatur remarked. "She knew the game and was very smart with it. She came from a good sports family and she plays the game with her whole heart. Everythings he did she gave 100 percent on."
He believes that this will only help Athens softball going forward.
"When you get somebody on All-State the rest of the girls see this and see they can make it also," Decatur explained. "It puts a drive into them to give their best."
Ally DeVoir made Second Team as a first baseman in Class AA.
"She is an awesome kid," remarked Wyalusing coach John Loomis. "She's done a great job. The kid is on base all the time and she hits for power as well. She's really been a spark for our offense."
Her glove has also helped the Rams on occasion.
"She probably doesn't get enough credit as well as she plays defense," Loomis said. "First base has been a tough position and we've kind of moved her around a little bit. As much as I would like to have her at second it's nice to have her over there. She thinks fast on her feet and makes good decisions. She's an outstanding all-around player."
Her sister Kasey is on honorable mention for Class AA.
"Kasey as well, she's just a consistent ball player," said Loomis. "She plays well in the big games, too. Our playoffs this year, she doubled twice against Loyalsock and kept us in that game. She does a great job for us. She's got a lot of range at shortstop, just a really smart kid. She really understands the game."
The two girls have been the backbone for Wyalusing softball this past season.
"Both girls have really carried our offense over the past couple of years," Loomis remarked. "I know they're both going to be seniors next year. It's going to be really, really difficult to replace those kids. I hope to have a big year with those two kids."
All three of Towanda's players were Class AA selections.
"It's very well deserving for all three of them," Towanda coach Bryon Fuller said. "They are three outstanding young ball players and three outstanding young ladies."
Fuller believes that it's fitting for those three to end their careers on the All-State team.
"I think it's very good," he said. "I wish we could have won the finals but it was a good way for them to go out that way."
Koryn Wickwire and Gorman were Towanda's biggest bats this season.
"They were consistent all year long hitting the ball," said Fuller. "It would seem like when one didn't hit the other one would."
As for Alaina Wickwire Fuller couldn't be happier with what she gave them.
"Alaina pitched great for three years for me," he said. "I just gave her the ball and let her do her thing, usually with good results."
Fuller hopes that this having state recognition for the Black Knight program will help spur on the younger players.
"I hope it's an indication of good things to come for our young girls if they work hard and put their time in," he said. "Good things will happen for them."
The Troy and Wellsboro duos were Class AA selections while Calla Johnson and Ross are on the Class A team.
