Briarwood softball is gearing up for another season, and the team is looking to repeat as GISA Class-A state champions.
"None of our games in August are region games, so I want to use those to get everybody in the positions where they're strongest," said fifth-year head coach Hannah DeMore before a recent practice. "Our region games start in September, and I really want us to win all of those. And as far as our season goes, I expect us to go on and win as state champions again this year."
Losing three seniors to graduation last year hasn't dampened DeMore's enthusiasm or optimism.
"We've definitely got the talent to go all the way this year," she said. "We've got 13 girls, and they've shown a lot of fire and enthusiasm in the practices."
The Briarwood players are also expecting a winning season.
"I'm looking forward to playing with the new girls this year, and to another state championship," said returning senior Kris Dawson. "I'm really excited to see what happens next."
Winning state isn't the only thing on the Briarwood players' minds, though.
"I really want to beat TJ (Thomas Jefferson) this year," said pitcher Megan Bentley. "They beat us in the region playoffs last year, and even though we beat them for state, I still want to beat them in region and win both region and state championships."
With a number of seniors and new talent coming up, Briarwood's chances look good.
"I've had these seniors since they came up in the ninth grade, so I've had them every year. But this will be the first year I've had a bunch of seniors I've coached through high school. I can't wait." DeMore said.
Briarwood Academy Varsity Softball Schedule
WHEN - OPPONENT - WHERE - TIME
Aug 6. Gatewood Tourney Gatewood TBA
Aug. 8 Brentwood Briarwood 4 p.m.
Aug. 12 Bulloch Tourney Bulloch TBA
Aug. 16 Edmund Burke Acad. Briarwood 4 p.m.
Aug. 18 Piedmont Piedmont 4 p.m.
Aug. 19 Pinewood Thomas Jefferson 3 p.m.
Aug. 23 OPEN
Aug. 25 Piedmont Briarwood 4 p.m.
Aug. 27 Trinity Briarwood 11 a.m.
Aug. 30 Gatewood Briarwood 4 p.m.
Sept. 1 Curtis Baptist Curtis Baptist 4 p.m.
Sept. 6 OPEN
Sept. 8 Thomas Jefferson Briarwood 4 p.m.
Sept. 12 Brentwood Brentwood 4 p.m.
Sept. 13 Nat.-Greene Briarwood 4 p.m.
Sept. 15 Curtis Baptist Briarwood 4 p.m.
Sept. 17 John Hancock Briarwood 11 a.m. (2)
Sept. 19 Edmnd Burke Acad. Edmund-Burke 4 p.m.
Sept. 20 Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson 4 p.m.
Sept. 22 Nat.-Greene Nat.-Greene 4 p.m.
Sept. 26 Gatewood Gatewood 4:30 p.m.
