Lady Bears gearing up for Crosby bidistrict test

Van Wade
The Orange Leader

LITTLE CYPRESS April 21, 2008 06:07 pm

— Stepping up at the plate and also at the mound, the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Lady Bears captured the third-place spot out of District 22-4A.
However, the Lady Bears (20-7, 10-4) were the best team in 22-4A in the last 10 games as Coach Thomas Bridges’ troops won nine of them.
“The kids have responded in the most important part of the season,” said LC-M coach Thomas Bridges. “The last four or five weeks, they’ve really realized their potential. Everything has been clicking so well.”
The Lady Bears hope the clicking keeps on ticking come Friday night when they take on the Crosby Lady Cougars at 7 p.m. at Silsbee High School in the Class 4A Region III bidistrict playoffs.
“The kids are so thrilled to be back in the playoffs,” said Bridges. “That sort of thing is expected around here. Hopefully we can make some noise.”
The last time LC-M made the playoffs was more than successful. Behind the senior leadership of Cody Trahan, Miriam Richards, Karlie Harrell and Joi Oldbury the Lady Bears roared all the way to the Class 4A state title.
The Lady Bears certainly possess a younger unit than the state champion squad with starting second baseman Jessica Wells being the only senior starter.
“We’re still basically a young team,” said Bridges. “A young team with some pretty darn good experience on it. Jessica (Wells), Katie (Harrell), Britni (Collins) and Alyssa (Breshears) were all nice contributors on that state team. Kids like those have been through it.”
Bridges loved the way the Lady Bears rose from their 1-3 22-4A start.
“A lot of seasons have their peaks and valleys,” explained Bridges. “We started the season well and that carried through the Brenham Tournament. Then we hit a little rough patch for a couple weeks. Then we just took off and everything clicked. Let’s just say we’re clicking at the right time and we hope that continues.”
The Lady Cougars captured the second-place spot out of District 21-4A, placing just behind champion Barbers Hill.
The Lady Cougars are actually ranked ahead of Barbers Hill in the Texas High School Girls Coaches Association state rankings. Crosby is No. 7 and Barbers Hill is No. 11.
“From what we understand, Crosby has one heckuva pitcher,” said Bridges. “She can flat-out bring it with the fastball. She’s consistently in the mid 60s with that. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before playing folks like Nederland and PN-G though. I understand they don’t have a lot of power with their bats but have several kids that can spray the ball all around the field.”