Saylor Bures was in the pitching circle when Ganado won its first state softball championship.
Buresòòò½ÊÓƵ™ performance in the championship game and throughout the season led to her selection as the Player of the Year on the Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association Class 2A all-state team released Wednesday.
òòò½ÊÓƵœShe is a competitor who is driven,òòò½ÊÓƵ Ganado coach James Harp said. òòò½ÊÓƵœShe pushes herself to excel and get better. What a hard worker she is.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Bures, a sophomore, was a first-team pick after compiling a 31-3 record with an 1.39 earned-run average. She had 257 strikeouts in 171 innings pitched.
Harp led the Maidens to a 33-5-1 record and 5-4 win over Riesel in the state championship game in his first season as head coach. Harp was named Coach of the Year.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI look at it as an award for all of us,òòò½ÊÓƵ Harp said. òòò½ÊÓƵœFrom the players, to the assistant coaches, itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s really a Ganado award.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Ganado sophomore catcher Kaylyn Benavidez was a second-team selection along with Woodsboro junior pitcher Sidney Castillo, and Shiner junior designated player/designated hitter/flex Lauren Springfield.
Ganado sophomore outfielder Laci Holt, and junior designated player/designated hitter/flex Kyla Stancik, and Weimar senior pitcher Taylor Smith were named to the third team.
Earning honorable mention were Shiner catcher Kailey Boedeker, first baseman Cami Cowan, third baseman Reagan Fluitt, shortstop Brinley Ramirez, and outfielder Kloe Polasek; Ganado shortstop Madi Weempe, Weimar catcher Sam Rangel and Woodsboro outfielder Chayse Wernli.
òòò½ÊÓƵœWe were talking about winning the state championship as early as Jan. 10,òòò½ÊÓƵ Harp said. òòò½ÊÓƵœThere was no doubt we had the talent to get it done. It was more about building team chemistry from that point forward. Just seeing all the smiles on the girlsòòò½ÊÓƵ™ faces, and the tears of joy once they won. All 20 girls on the team shared that experience together.òòò½ÊÓƵ