Jan Delaughter has been coaching the Loyd Star fastpitchsoftball program for seven years. She was there for the team’sfirst tentative steps as they began climbing thesometimes-difficult ladder of success.

In 2009, Delaughter’s Lady Hornets achieved the pinnacle,capturing the Class 2A State Championship two weeks ago. They beatHamilton 2 straight games in the finals and posted an outstanding31-1-1 worksheet.

For her accomplishments, Delaughter has been selected The DAILYLEADER’s 2009 All-Area Fastpitch Softball Coach of the Year. Shewon a similar honor in 1991 after directing Loyd Star to the GirlsState Basketball Tournament championship.

Recognized for her work ethic and long, intense practices,Delaughter believes in fundamentals, especially defense. “Hard workis what it takes. The seniors have been with me for six years. Theygave us a lot of leadership and they will be missed.”

Loyd Star’s four seniors are catcher Haley Sones, third basemanBrittany Beeson, first baseman Brittany Wallace and centerfielderCalleye Douglas. Beeson and Sones have signed scholarships withCopiah-Lincoln Community College.

She will have several talented starters returning, among themall-state second baseman Carrie Moak and pitcher Brooke Delaughter.Other returning starters are rightfielder Emily Smith, leftfielderKarah Smith, designated player Natalie Keene and shortstop SarahFalvey.

Loyd Star discontinued slowpitch six years ago and chose toconcentrate on fastpitch. The results have been rewarding.Fastpitch demands more concentration and skills similar tobaseball.

Delaughter said she was fascinated by the intricacies offastpitch. “It’s an exciting game of strategies. There are a lot ofdifferent things a player can do.”

She became interested in it while watching her son, Matthew,play Dixie Youth Baseball.

Loyd Star’s girls accepted the fastpitch style promoted by theircoach. “They embraced it. We worked on a lot of drills. We alsolifted weights in the fall and worked on agility drills.”

Delaughter said summer league fastpitch was important to thefuture success of the high school program. “You can start at eightyears old. There are a lot of skills you have to learn.”

Her own daughter, Brooke, has excelled as a pitcher, earning theDL’s Player of the Year moniker as a junior. She takes privatepitching lessons from an instructor in Clinton.

A 1979 Loyd Star graduate, Delaughter was a left-handedbasketball guard in high school and she excelled in softball, too.She played basketball at Co-Lin and graduated from Southern Misswith a degree in mathematics. She is currently working on amaster’s degree in secondary education from William CareyUniversity.

Janet Taylor, a former Franklin County star, serves asDelaughter’s assistant. “Janet is a valuable asset to our program,”said Delaughter. “We go to the Easton Fastpitch Clinic everyfall.”

The Loyd Star community provides tremendous support for theschool’s athletic program. The Lady Hornets have a new field,complete with brick dugouts, a concession stand and press box. Manyadvertisement signs cover the outfield fence.

At the recent state tournament, Loyd Star had a large following.A sea of red-shirted fans surrounded the field at Freedom RidgePark and cheered their team to victory.

Delaughter said Loyd Star had the most support of the 10 teamsinvolved in the 5-classification finals. She said Loyd Starathletic director Billy Vaughn had a conversation with MHSAAExecutive Director Dr. Ennis Proctor during the 2-daytournament.

“Dr. Proctor told Coach Vaughn that Loyd Star probably broughtthe most fans,” said Delaughter. “I appreciate their support andthe support we receive from other teachers and theadministration.”

Her mother, Irma, and late father, Prentiss Smith, alwaysprovided their daughter with lots of encouragement when she wasplaying and coaching sports. “My mother is one of Brooke’s biggestfans.”

Delaughter’s son, Matthew is a ministerial student at SouthernBaptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tenn. He was a standoutbaseball and football player at Loyd Star and signed a footballscholarship with Co-Lin.

Delaughter and her family attend Mt. Zion Baptist Church.