By By STEVE FRANKLIN, Sports Writer
Casey Alligood refuses to be out-worked.
Whether it’s on the softball field, the volleyball court, the basketball court, or in the classroom, Alligood gives it everything she’s got. And she typically succeeds.
After a stellar senior year in both volleyball and basketball, Alligood - who ranks third in a class of 102 students at Northside with a G.P.A. above 4.0 - has made a smooth transition to the softball field where she is one of the area’s top players.
Alligood finished the 2008 regular season with a .296 batting average and a .348 on-base percentage.
But it’s her defense and leadership that really stand out. After a couple seasons at first base, Alligood moved to catcher last season, and quickly asserted herself as an elite defensive stopper and a girl her teammates can look up to.
Casey isn’t only sharp in the classroom, she’s also an intelligent ball player. The senior catcher always knows the game situation and how to make the heads up play.
As a four-year starter for the Lady Panthers softball team, Alligood has always strived to be a solid defensive player. But now that she’s a senior, she takes the most pride in her leadership qualities.
Alligood chooses not to be a vocal leader. Instead, she let’s her play do the talking. Whether it’s throwing her body in front of an errant pitch, diving for a foul ball, or trying to race from first to third on a single, Alligood goes all out, all the time.
After high school, Alligood will hang up her cleats and catching gear and focus on her studies at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she’ll enroll in the dental program.
But first, she’s got some business to take care of.
This weekend, Northside (11-9) learned that it had earned one of three Wild Card berths to the NCHSAA Class 1A state softball playoffs. So tonight, Alligood and the Panthers will travel to Bear Grass to take on the Lady Bears (11-3) in the opening round.
It’s an opportunity that Alligood has been eagerly waiting.