By Aizak Miller  

The Jag

Blue Springs South softball has been a successful program as of late, winning state championships in 2018, 2019, 2022 and then runner ups last year just falling short to another state title. No matter what players they lose the Jaguars find ways to reload and adapt to the new athletes they bring in every year. 

After losing seven seniors from last year’s team, there are a lot of new faces in new roles and new situations. Losing seniors can hurt a team for the next year but that never is an issue with the Jaguars because of what kind of culture they have built under coach Kristi Williams. 

“We do not want them to replace anyone, we just let them be who they are. We adapt to them, we do not ask them to adapt to us,” Williams said.  

When asked about the difference between this year’s and last year’s team Williams kept it clear what the difference was.  

“Probably just experience is the biggest difference,” she said.  

As a coach you always want the best out of your players and want to bring the best possible version out of them and Coach Williams had a lot to say about focusing on maximizing this team’s potential and on improving each day. 

“My goal for them always is to reach their potential and hopefully exceed their potential,” Williams said.  

 Another thing that the coaches have been focusing on with the team is one thing at a time, not getting ahead of yourselves. Senior Ava Wilmes says it has been something they have really emphasized for the team this year.  

“They really emphasize the one at a time thing, one out at a time, one rep at a time,” said Wilmes.  

Teams that are connected with one another and like to be around one another are the teams that have success. First baseman Ava Wilmes and Senior outfielder Mikayla Deville agreed on how well this team can connect with one another and how good their team unity is as being a strength of this year’s team. 

“Definitely just how we carry ourselves and how well we get along with each other,” said Deville.  

Wilmes added on to that by talking about how well they play together.  

“I think some strengths are our unity as a team, how we play together and how we play for each other,” said Wilmes.  

So far through this season, a lot of things have stood out to coach Williams but the main thing that has stood out to coach Williams is that she has a competitive group that works hard.  

“They are one of the most competitive groups I think I’ve ever had,” Williams said.  

Throughout the first half of the season, they had a record of 9-5 and lost some tough games late in the game. Now seven games later they are on a eight-game winning streak and sitting at a record of 17-5.  Even though they had some tough losses earlier in the season it has not stopped coach Williams from realizing that they still have a good team and are still figuring themselves out.  

“We’re figuring out that we’re a pretty good darn team,” Williams said. 

As the Jaguars continue to improve and figure out their identity as team, they will keep emphasizing being competitive and reaching and exceeding their potential. With how much success they have had in the past and what kind of culture they have built with this team and program do not be surprised when they have another successful season. We will see how much better and how much of their potential they can meet and exceed.  

“The moment that it all comes together is what I look forward to.” Williams said. 

The Jaguars will square off against Lees Summit West at 4:00 p.m. tonight as they look to expand their winning streak to 9 games and pick up their 18^th win of the season.