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Show Adams, Creer begin new programs Viewmont, Davis softball teams under new management Editor's note: This is the first in a two-part two-part series previewing Davis County prep so ft ball. See Saturday's edition of the Clipper for a preview of Bountiful and Woods Cross' 1991 softball teams. By ALAN HAACKE Clipper Correspondent BOUNTIFUL The girls' softball season is under way, and for the past two and a half weeks teams have been scrambling to ready themselves: narrowing the player roster, refining skills and forgetting about last year's records. This is only the second year for girls' softball in the high schools. But unlike many areas in Utah, south Davis is at a disadvantage. While most districts have had girls' softball programs in the junior high schools, as well as summer leagues, the south Davis District does not. And, while the outlying schools have the option to use freshman on their high school rosters, again, South Davis is at a disadvantage. But the four south county high schools now have a year of experience experi-ence behind them, and in a sport where the under-hand pitch bums across the plate as fast as a hardball, these teams are poised for season play. Davis High Head coach Chimane Creer may be new to Davis High this year, but with seven prior years of coaching, Creer has the know-how to build a 4 top softball team. The Dart coach spent six years as an assistant at Woods Cross High coaching volleyball and track. She then spent another year at Box Elder before taking the reins at Davis. "With basketball just ending, we really haven't had a lot of time to practice. And, I really haven't had a chance to look at our team as compared com-pared to the other teams," comments com-ments Creer. "I just have to get my feet wet and give the kids a chance to show what potential I think they have. Overall, I'm pretty excited. I know we'll do fine," she adds. Creer says all of her players are tops, but cites four as real standouts; senior Heather Mills, who plays third base; sophomore Regan Taylor, shortstop; junior Angela Orme, pitcher, and sophomore Jody Barrett, catcher. "Jody's on our injured list. She was hurt during the basketball season, but we hope to see her back soon...she'U be a great asset," says Creer. "Angela has good form and skills. We're working on her speed, but she's going to be a tough player." The Darts lost last week to Olympus 19-2, but as coach Creer put it, "We didn't do very well at all. But we were trying to shuffle a few things around.. .find out who would work well at what positions. We were just trying to see what we could do. ' ' Not happy with the district's position on girls' softball, Creer says, "It's hard to compete against teams that have several years' experience. expe-rience. You can't teach a girl to be the fastest pitcher in a two-week period." Yet, Coach Creer remains positive. "I think we'll do real well against the other teams once we have a few things ironed out, and everybody placed in the right positions." posi-tions." The Darts face Hillcrest this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. and will finish out their preseason schedule with games against Hunter and Bear River. Davis will host Hunter Thursday, and the Bears are tentatively ten-tatively scheduled to play Davis at Davis Friday afternoon. The Lady Darts begin Region 1 action March 27 at home against the Roy High Royals. Viewmont Paige Adams is also in her first year as head coach of the Viewmont squad, after spending the last three years coaching girls' volleyball at Farmington Junior High. Coach Adams sees a lot more optimism op-timism in this year's team than in the last "I don't think they did very well. They had the reputation of being be-ing the 'Bad News Bears. This year's going to be different.. .a lot different," she says. V This season's team is "young" I compared to many in the state, with six sophomores, five seniors, and only two juniors on the varsity squad. However, Adams says all of I her sophomores have "tremendous potential." "One nice thing, the girls are really eager. They're ready to do their best." "Some schools have underclassmen that already have a I lot of good experience, because I some of the junior highs and high I schools that have freshmen have I girls' softball teams. The Bountiful I region is just starting in that area so I it's hard to be competitive." I "However," she adds, "we have nothing to lose, so we're going to I give it all we have." I Adams says senior Char Holmes, I catcher, will be a real benefit this year. "I feel Char is college mate- I rial. She's a good hitter, and she's I very aggressive." Junior Stacie Henderson, who plays first base and I shortstop, is also a plus to the team. I "She's our most consistent 1 player...real solid," says Adams. I Sophomore Wendy Merrill, se- I cond base, is mentioned as the third I top player. "She's a great hitter, quick, and very accurate." I Adams also says a potential four I great pitchers will also add to her I arsenal. I SEE SOFTBALL ON A-13 Softball CONTINUED FROM A-12 Although the Vikings lost a close match to Granite last week, 7-5, Adams maintains her team could have won. "Our goal w sn'ttowin. I think we could have won easily if vc had wanted to. We played it as a practice game. I wanted to see what my girls could do, and I was very pleased with them," she says. The Lady Vikings take on cross-town cross-town rival Woods Cross this afternoon after-noon at the North Salt Lake ball park and enter the Box Elder soft-ball soft-ball tournament March 21 and 23. Weber will make the journey south to open both teams' region schedules on March 26. Bountiful returns to the soft ball diamond this Thursday to take part in the Box Elder preseason tournament. tourna-ment. Region 6 action begins March Mar-ch 26 as the Braves host the Woods Cross Wildcats in both teams' league opener. |