7 Lady Knights named All-Conference
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights' departure from the playoffs wrapped up the Smoky Mountain Conference's inclusion in the postseason race – thus summoning the release of the annual, esteemed All-Conference representatives.
Voted on by all the coaches in the league, Zoie Shuler repeated as the division's Player of the Year and joined Memory Frapp, Naomi Taylor, Suri Watty and Anna Williams on the All-Conference roster itself.
"Zoie is so fun to watch; people should pay money to watch her play," head coach Billy Knight said of his superstar shortstop, who has committed to play at the University of Tennessee.
"You're not going to see a talent like her come through her for a while (after this). I knew
before the season that she was going to be a different player this year; I just hope she makes that jump for next year. There's more in her. She's going to work hard, get faster and stronger."
Shuler finished her junior run with a .595 average, mashing 10 home runs and driving in 30 altogether. She also scored 56 runs (which is 12th all time in North Carolina); swiped 36 bases and was only struck out six times over the course of the year.
The No. 1 starter for the rotation, Frapp's junior campaign ended with a 13-3 record across 90 innings of work. She played in 19 games (starting 15) and blanked 108 batters at the plate, crafting a 2.64 ERA along the way.
She was no slouch at the dish either, muscling her way to a .388 mark, a team-leading 17 doubles, three home runs and 21 RBIs.
"What a great kid she is," said Knight. "She gives us a chance to win; the girls believe in her. When she steps in the circle, the girls say, 'We can win this game.'"
Watty and Taylor both transferred from elsewhere in the conference – Swain County and Cherokee, respectively – before the 2022-23 calendar kicked off.
A freshman, Watty seamlessly transitioned into her role as the No. 2 starter – and as a Lady Knight in general, batting .430 (second-best on the team), with 28 RBIs. She also appeared in 13 games inside the circle (with three nods in the starting role), going 3-0 with one save, 26 strikeouts and boasting the lowest ERA on the staff (1.67).
Taylor finished her sophomore appointment with a .304 mark at the plate, slugging one
home run and racking up 20 RBIs. When called on to pitch in eight different games (six as a starter), she posted a 3-2 record in 40 innings, striking out 18 and ended the season with a 2.63 ERA.
"I can't say enough about how they practice, how they work and how they play," Knight boasted. "I guarantee you Naomi Taylor and Suri Watty will be playing softball on Saturday, somewhere.
"We wouldn't be where we are without those two; they were huge difference-makers."
Williams progressed from the eight spot to the 2-3 holes in the batting order throughout her freshman season. She finished with the fourth-best average (.367), and had one triple mixed alongside 21 RBIs.
Liz Carpenter and Kensley Phillips each received an Honorable Mention.
After not playing her junior season, Phillips returned to the mix and assumed her role as starting center fielder once more. Not missing a beat, she concluded her career with a .357 mark at the plate, one home run and 20 RBIs. She also had six triples, tying her with Shuler for the team lead.
Carpenter maintained her post as the team's backstop and evolved immensely as a hitter. She batted .329, with 10 doubles, a triple and 20 RBIs.
"I don't know what I would have done if Kensley hadn't come back out," Knight said. "That would be a gigantic hole on our defense, and she stepped right in there and took charge. She had a great year and got better as the year went on.
"Liz had to battle through a thumb injury all year – and still did great."
The other senior on the team – Fala Welch – did not receive a spot on the All-Conference line-up, but Knight was very complementary of his other departing player.
"Fala Welch competed hard for us all year," said Knight. "She really stepped up, competed and had some big hits for us."
Robbinsville loses just Phillips and Welch from this year's roster, which does not bode well for opponents in 2024.
"There's some eighth-graders coming that are taking spots," Knight added. "This program has became sort of self-sustaining; as long as I do my job, they should keep on winning."