Area softball players pick up all-state honors

Eight area athletes received all-state distinction by the North Carolina Softball Coaches Association.

Ashbrook's Heather Carnes made the 80-member Class 4A team. North Gaston's Keely Russell and Katie Childers made the 59-member Class 3A team. The 64-member Class 2A team included North Lincoln's Kayla Alexander and Emily Torbert. Three Cherryville players made the 44-member 1A team: Emily Self, Haley Ballard and Mary Fraley.

In all, 247 players across North Carolina received all-state honors. Eighty additional players made up the four honorable mention teams. Local honorable mention selections included Cherryville's Taylor Long (1A), North Lincoln's Addy Pound (2A), Hunter Huss' Taylor Jordan (3A) and North Gaston's Courtney Tignor (3A).

The selection process begins with nominations by coaches.

Local selections on the 2008 North Carolina Softball
Coaches All-State team
Class 1A
Emily Self, Cherryville, P, Jr.
Haley Ballard, Cherryville, 3B, Sr.
Mary Fraley, Cherryville, C, Jr.
Honorable mention
Taylor Long, Cherryville, SS, Jr.

Class 2A
Kayla Alexander, North Lincoln, CF, Sr.
Emily Torbert, North Lincoln, 1B, Jr.
Honorable mention
Addy Pound, North Lincoln, P/RF, Fr.

Class 3A
Keely Russell, North Gaston, P/3B/SS, Sr.
Katie Childers, North Gaston, C, Sr.
Honorable mention
Taylor Jordan, Hunter Huss, C, Fr.
Courtney Tignor, North Gaston, LF, Sr.

Class 4A
Heather Carnes, Ashbrook, 2B/1B, Sr.