The players were evaluated by a group of softball professionals who ranked each participant in several categories. The top players from the six showcases will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills before a panel of college coaches this week in Marietta.
Only 80 players statewide were chosen to represent the elite of Georgia High School softball. These players will participate in a series of scrimmages on July 23 to give college coaches and scouts the chance to see some of the best talent the state has to offer.
Fourteen Mill Creek High School players participated in the June showcases. Of those, five were chosen as part of the “Elite 80.”
Rising sophomore Erin Raeford and rising freshmen Nikki Sagermann, Chandler Griffin, Anyssa Robles and Jenna Holland will represent the Lady Hawks in the Marietta scrimmages.
Sagermann, Griffin, Robles and Holland are four of only five freshmen statewide honored as part of the Elite 80.
Mill Creek head coach Kelly Murdock said it is an honor to be selected as part of the Elite 80.
“You’re talking about some of the best players in the state. To be chosen to be among that elite group is a big deal,” Murdock said. “It’s something that looks great on their resume.”
Though the four freshmen will be new to Mill Creek this year, Murdock has worked with the players in camps and summer workouts. Despite their selection as part of the Elite 80, they will still have to prove their worthiness as Lady Hawks.
“They’re going to have to get out and show that they can compete with our kids,” Murdock said. “We have very talented kids at Mill Creek. They’re no further ahead than any of those kids just because they made the Elite 80. They’ve got to show that they can play in our system.”
Other Mill Creek players participating in last month’s underclassmen showcases include Tiffany Slaughter, Breannah McCrary, Lauren Kaczynski, Taylor Wehunt, Breanna Buckley, Kaylyn Brooks, Amber Parks, Victoria Mitchell and Caroline Wilson.
On August 1, Murdock and her staff will begin holding tryouts for the Mill Creek softball team. The first game of the 2008 season is scheduled for mid-August.
