This week, Minden will have four teams representing the city and the state of Louisiana in the Dixie Softball World Series. The four teams include the Sweetees, Ponytails, Angels, and Darlings. These teams and each of their members worked hard throughout the 2024 season to earn their spots on the field and are sure to put on a performance that will make Minden proud.
Making up this year’s Sweetees are team members Emersyn Biles, Paisley Harlon, Elizabeth Fox, Hope Lincoln, Adalyn McClaran, Jincie Ogwyn, Magnolia Chapman, Posey Bell Boyd, Alina Jordan, Millie Hayden, Brylee Jo Holly, and Steely Jarvis. One of the team’s coaches, David Fox, shared some comments about how it has been coaching the team through this year’s season.
“We have had so much fun coaching these Sweetees, and they are a blast to watch. They’re as tough as they are cute. We’ve got a young team, but the older girls have done great jobs in key positions and have shown real leadership through the hot weather and long practice days. A lot of these girls could have stayed down and played T-ball this season, but by choosing the X-play format, you get to really see their skills advance quickly. There’s no doubt these girls will produce more championships for Minden in the years to come,” said Coach David Fox.
Representing the Ponytails are Moose Jernigan, Erin Danzy, Brayleigh Lewis, Layla Holford, Chloe Gregg, Ella Wood, Rhea Waller, Emmaline Harmon, Jayla Joyner, Karlee Brewer, Kenzie Pamintuan, and Lola Huddleston. Coach Marcus Harmon talked about the team’s comeback to earn their spot in the World Series as well as the results of their first game, which took place on Friday.
“I’m extremely proud of this group of girls! They have had to play like a team to get to this point. They really showed some grit after dropping our first game in the State Tournament. They fought hard out of the loser’s bracket to bring home the Championship! In the World Series, we lost our first game to a very tough Virginia team, but we didn’t play our best. Rain has interrupted our bracket some, but we sent Tennessee home last night in a hard-fought 5-2 victory. Our next game is this afternoon against the host team, Prince George. This team has worked hard this summer and earned every win to this point. There’s no place I’d rather be than making memories with them at a ballpark!” said Harmon.
On the Darlings team are Laikyn Hollingsworth, Laikyn Lewis, Aubrey Chanler, Harper Barnette, Annabel Sunderland, Avery Mills, Cheslie Darden, Lexie Perryman, Marley Bogues, Stella Perryman, Ryan Gordon, and Andi Brooke Hollingsworth. Coach Logan Hollingsworth shared his appreciation not only for his team and their hard work but also for everyone who has supported the team throughout the season.
“This all-star season, I have twelve young ladies who have worked extremely hard the last two months and have earned every accolade thus far. I am beyond proud of these girls for their hard work, dedication to their team, commitment to their teammates and parents, and their love for their city. I have the best support group: my parents, girls, our city, and my coaches. These other coaches help me dedicate our time to not only make these girls better softball players but, most importantly, better young women. I want to thank all of our Minden businesses that helped all five of our World Series teams raise money to be able to go to the WS. Our community is truly one of a kind. We are proud to be representing Minden,” said Hollingsworth.
Those who will be playing for the Angels this year include Willow Still, Sadie Powell, Peyton Wood, Kynlee Garms, Eme Jernigan, Fallyn Hollingsworth, Aniston Igo, Montgomery Ingles, Marian Wimberly, Ellie Kate Perryman, Eastyn Pate, and Brooklyn Sunderland. Coach Bobby Igo shared his thoughts on seeing his team grow throughout the season and how much the girls have truly become a team.
“It’s hard to put into words how proud I am of this group of young ladies. I’ve been able to watch most of them grow over the last two years playing softball, watching their skills come into full swing. It is remarkable to me how Minden has been able to produce this many teams that can go and win state, and compete in the World Series,” said Igo. “This group of girls has a lot of heart; there’s no quit in them. Our motto is to play to win and refuse to lose. We fire up and continue to move forward. Being able to watch these girls grow throughout their whole softball careers, how much they’ve grown has been an outstanding thing to watch. Any coach would be happy to see a group of girls work as hard as they do on and off the field to build their skills and build the bonds and friendships to play together as sisters on that field.”
These four teams will be representing Minden and Louisiana throughout the week in the World Series. From each of the coaches, it is evident the amount of work these girls have put in throughout the season to earn their spot in the series. Not only do they get support from immediate friends and family but also from the wider community as a whole, which always bands together to help our youth sports teams thrive. The Minden Press-Herald will be covering the results of the teams as they compete in the World Series, so stay tuned for future updates.