Senior spotlight: Lady Panthers losing talented group of 2020 senior softballers

Published 5:23 pm Friday, April 17, 2020

There will be big shoes to fill at Lady Panther Park in the future as coach Mandy Vinson has a softball team filled with seniors.

Vinson has seen this group grow up over the course of their careers.

“This group of seniors was my first group as a head coach,” said Vinson. “I’m not sure if they were more terrified years ago or if I was.”

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Meg Foster

The daughter of Stan and Sarah Foster, Meg plans to attend Copiah-Lincoln Community College next year and pursue a career in cosmetology. A versatile player that could play either corner infield spot while also being a steady bat in the lineup, Foster was a Daily Leader All-Area last selection year and played six years of softball at BHS.

Kyla Henderson

The daughter of Shoneta Harris and Desmond Henderson, Kyla plans to attend Coahoma Community College next year on a softball scholarship while pursuing a major in pediatrics. A source of power in the BHS lineup with her big bat and ability to go deep, Henderson played six years of softball at BHS.

Madi Miller

The daughter of Tommy and Gerri Miller, Madi plans to attend Copiah-Lincoln Community College next year on a softball scholarship while pursuing a major in chemistry and a career in orthodontics. Blessed with quick hands and a strong arm that she showed off while catching, Miller was a Daily Leader All-Area selection last year and played six years of softball at BHS.

Lynsey Nations

The daughter of Joel and Neely Nations, Lynsey plans to attend Meridian Community College next year on a softball scholarship next year on a softball scholarship while pursuing a career in teaching and coaching. Nations pitched last season and has been used in a variety of places by Vinson since transferring to BHS from Enterprise three years ago. She was a Daily Leader All-Area selection last year as well.

Kaysha Register

The daughter of April Register, Chris Kelly and Dakota Brooks, Kaysha plans to attend Mississippi State University next year and pursue a career in kinesiology. A talented and athletic competitive cheerleader, Register joined the softball team two years ago and became a speedy outfielder in short order.

JaLiyah Miller

The daughter of Terasa Smitha and Arthur Miller, JaLiyah plans to attend Pearl River Community College next year and pursue a career in hematology. Vinson will tell you that good managers are hard to find, and Miller has filled that role for BHS for the past two years after playing one season of softball earlier in her career.

“These seniors have become my kids,” said Vinson. “I hope in their years of being a Lady Panther they don’t just remember the wins and losses. I hope they remember the loud bus rides home after a win and the lessons the quiet bus rides home after a loss taught. I hope they learned what it meant to be committed to something bigger than themselves.