LADY REBELS READY FOR SPECIAL SEASON

STORY BY JOSH BOUTWELL

In year two under head coach Ethan Deal, a talented Zion Chapel Lady Rebels is looking to make a run this season.

The Lady Rebels return the bulk of last season’s team and features a talented newcomer, as well. Junior Amber Kidd has transferred to Zion Chapel from Pike County, and the catcher is coming off a stellar 2022 season.

Kidd boasted a .348 batting average last season with two home runs, two triples, nine doubles, 24 RBIs and 12 runs. She also had a .994 fielding percentage with two runners picked off and 12 runners caught stealing.

The Lady Rebels also return playmakers like Shea Wambles, Kaylee Hodge, Sydney Boothe, Emily Rhodes, Elly Sheets and Riley Bannin. Wambles is Zion Chapel’s returner at the plate, earning a .506 batting average last season with one homer, two triples, six doubles, 21 RBIs and 29 runs. Boothe led ZCHS with 28 runs, while Bannin went 9-5 in the circle. She struck out a total of 107 batters with a 3.545 ERA in 77 innings pitched. Boothe also pitched 51 2/3 innings with 65 strikeouts. Wambles earned a .982 fielding percentage with two double plays on defense.

“We have a unique deal here because it’s really hard to pinpoint just one or two (leaders) because every one of them in the lineup can take the lead,” Deal said. “One of our constants has been Shea Wambles, she’ll be a sophomore this season but has played since she was in the eighth grade. You know what you’ll get from her night in and night out, she’s never hit or miss.

“Our catcher, Amber Kidd, is going to do really big things. She can swing it really, really well. We have a freshman and sophomore pitcher, Sydney Boothe and Riley Bannin, that can both spin it really well. I think we’re solid in all of our positions.”

Deal says that biggest focus early in the season is on consistency.

“Really, the big thing is practicing at a high level,” he emphasized. “We’re just trying to figure out how to play together. We have a few new faces, so it’s a chemistry deal.

“I’m not too worried about when the lights go on but it’s figuring out how to practice and play at that high level consistenly. We have high expectations this year, but we have to figure it out at practice first and how to do it every day at practice and get that momentum rolling.”

The Lady Rebel’s focus is on the present moment because Deal said he feels like focusing on the present will lead to future success.

“The goal is to win every time we step on the field; that’s on the scoreboard, that’s how we play the game and executing every little detail we throw at them,” Deal said. “I think we’ll be able to do some more stuff with them compared to what we did last year, but as far as attainable goals, area is up for grabs this year.

“We really wan to win our area and go to regionals and see what happens from there. I feel like if we can get (to regionals) and figure out how to win, some really special things are going to happen.”

Class: 2A

Area: 4 Field: Zion Chapel

High School Rebels

Softball Field

Colors: Red and Black