By Amanda Hammer, Sports Writer for the Panther Newspaper
The NHS softball team started with a pretty rough season this year, but that did not stop any of the girls from making the best out of every moment they got to play. The improvement started on the first day the girls showed up for practice--the teamwork and dedication showed up after they decided losing was not fun anymore, and laughter and giggles showed up when everyone decided it was time to make it fun.
The first day of practice was off to a bumpy start with lots of running and throwing, etc. But every girl knew that the improvement would have to start right from the beginning in order to become a better team. Practice after practice after practice was all the girls did for quite some time, but then game day finally came. The Lady Panthers lost that first game, but that just made them work even harder in practice to improve even more. By the end of the season the girls had improved more than expected and showed up at Districts ready to compete with any opponent they encountered.
After losing a few more games, the ladies knew they were in for more than a rough season if they did not pull their act together and actually work as a team. So, day by day they encouraged each other in every aspect of the sport. Team dinners and team bonding helped to also bring the girls together and make them become a stronger team. Though it was hard to do so when the team was down by so many runs, the girls still tried to keep their teammates up and build their confidence. Even though they would not always come out with the win, they never really gave up hope that they could win the next game.
Day by day the team got better and the girls decided to make it more fun. They started to win a few more games and began laughing with each other and making everything they did and every place they went fun. Some girls thought that individuals cannot play as a team if they are not having fun together. Towards the end of the season, it just became more fun and the team members always showed up to compete. The girls did not just lose without trying but actually competed for the win.
"This season is one I'll remember forever; definitely something I'll never forget," Haleigh Griffith, senior, said.
The Lady Panthers ended their season at districts losing to Millard West, and Pius X. They came out of districts with one win against Omaha North. The girls did so much more than play softball this season. They improved their game every day, they learned what teamwork and dedication meant, and they had so much fun with the game.
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