CORBIN — The Corbin Lady Redhounds were one game away from repeating as 13th Region champions but fell short, losing to rival South Laurel in the title game.
With eight starters returning, many prognosticators are tagging Corbin as the team to beat and deservedly so after the Lady Redhounds posted a 23-8 mark last season.
“I return eight starters this season — Kallie Housley, Bailey Stewart, Alana Stidham, Anela Sanders, Danni Foley, Raegan Walker, Morgan Hicks, and Abi Beller,” Corbin coach Crystal Stidham said. “This season will be exciting. Although March may be a little up and down, I have six players, four starters that play basketball — depending on their run in region and possibly state, and two seniors starters that will be on a senior Science trip part of week two and part of week three, I have to maneuver and move around players a bit to start our season. It will be OK though, my girls have been working hard.
“My starters I have are looking to step up, and those who are coming in are ready to take that opportunity to show the team what they can do and how they can help,” she added. “At the end of the day, we are a team and I practice each and every player whether JV or varsity the same, you have to be ready for your number to be called and be ready for anything in our sport.
“I have a great group of girls that support one another, work hard for each other, and have always had the we over me mentality,” Stidham continued. “We have a tough season scheduled to give us that drive for a big run in the post season. We lost one senior last season and lost a heartbreaker in 13th Region Finals, we most definitely are thirsty to get back to the finals and get that win.”
Corbin has numerous players Stidham said that will lead the way this spring.
“Two ladies that have always been team leaders since they were freshmen are seniors Kallie Housley and Bailey “Noodles” Stewart,” she said. “Kal and Noodles have one gear on the field and that’s, ‘All In’. They always have. They lead by example and they pick up the team when necessary. They are multiple sport athletes that play each sport at a high level, they are awesome students as well, all-around they will be ready.
“Junior Danni Foley has been a key component both on defense and offense,” she added. “Her work in the circle has paid huge dividends for our team, her work ethic is unmatched. She is also a force for us on Offense as well. Morgan Hicks is our first baseman, who does everything and current single season home run record holder, but has a solid bat beyond the home runs. Alana Stidham will be back in our outfield at centerfield this season with speed and she’s fearless making plays. Anela Sanders is back behind the plate with the most experience both in regular season and in big time games as our catcher and came up w key offense for us last season. Raegan Walker is solid on third and isn’t afraid of anything. She has a big bat, and Abi Beller made key plays in the outfield for our team. We have a solid lineup with others able to come in and help and some that will have to step up into roles when those aren’t able to play.”
One again, pitching will be a strength for Stidham. Foley, Housley and Abi Beller could very well be the best trio in the region.
“I have three varsity pitchers and two JV pitchers. My varsity pitchers, I am returning this season are Kallie Housley, Danni Foley, and Abi Beller,” Stidham said. “These ladies put in a solid year for us last season and bring various looks from the circle. They each have their own strengths that we try to maneuver around depending on who we are playing.
“I like that we have options,” she added. “We have two JV pitchers that are working and hopefully we can move them in and out of the mix throughout the season, they will definitely get lots of reps on JV.”
Corbin will battle things out with South Laurel, Whitley County and Williamsburg to see which two schools will represent the 50th Dostrict in the 13th Region Tournament.
“Our district is always competitive and strong. I think Corbin ranks right up there with our respective schools,” Stidham said. “Our 50th District coaches always put our teams through schedules to prepare them and any of us are ready for the post season. I feel like year in and year out it’s always competitive.
“My team can absolutely make a run and we expect to make a run for region this year,” she added. “I am returning basically same team as I had last season, losing one starter, we should be able to make a run. We are hungry to get those wins. I feel like my team is a top team for sure. Teams in the region that are always ready are North and South Laurel. Teams that have really come on in last few years are Pineville and Middlesboro, Lynn Camp, we just have a good region. In our sport, a lot of days come down to who’s ready to play and some days are just someone’s day. But we have great competition all around our region.
“Our team will work, we will put in the time as we have been already, but just being a team, is most important,” Stidham added. “End of the day, being there for one another, picking each other up, picking we over me will create success. I have a great group of young ladies who get along and will work for each other. I look forward to seeing them work this season.”
