Central takes softball to regionals
Published 4:23 pm Wednesday, May 8, 2024
The Central High School Lions are pictured (left to right) coach Kaneka Threatt, Kenya Jenkins, Destiny Williams, Ciara Coleman, Kaitlyn King, Camille Gordon, Shanirriah Rudolph, Shamirria Rudolph, Ayala Johnson, Taundria McGhee, To'koya Surles and head coach Rodney Rudolph.
Central High School’s Taundria McGhee is up for the Lions.
Coach Rodney Rudolph talks strategy with To’Koya Surles.
The Lions’ catcher Keniya Jenkins protects home base.
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The Central High School Lions ended the softball season Tuesday, finishing in the first round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Class 1A regionals with losses to the Wadley Bulldogs (15-0) and the South Lamar Lions (17-0). The tournament, held at Lagoon Park in Montgomery, concluded a season that head coach Rodney Rudolph said reached a long-term team goal.
“It’s been four or five years since Central’s softball team made it this far,” said Rudolph. “Our goal this year was to make it to regionals. We did that. We are building our team and aim to make it even farther next season.”
The school’s athletic director, Brian Coleman, said the season was not without challenges.
“It was an up and down season,” Coleman said. “It was not without trials and tribulations. Not having a home field the first part of the season (due to renovations) made things difficult.”
Several Lady Lions shined as leaders at the tournament and through the entire season, Coleman explained. Among them were seniors Shamirria Rudolph and To’Koya Surles.
The Lions closed the season at 6-9. Reclassification of AHSAA regions puts Central in Class 2A play next season.
