MANNFORD PIRATES
Coach: RUSSELL WOOD
20-15
OUTLOOK
Under first-year head coach Russell “Rusty” Wood, the Pirates are eager to follow up on a successful 2023 season. “As the 2024 season approaches, I’m looking at our roster and I see a solid mix of promising underclassmen with seasoned upperclassmen,” Wood said. “The majority of our underclassmen were in games last year that really tested them mentally as well as physically, which I feel will help them this year, as far as being able to slow the game down and play more relaxed. As for our upperclassmen, they understand what the expectations are for us this year and will be great leaders for us. They’ve been in many tough games throughout their high school career and will be able to bring calmness and confidence in the dugout.” The Pirates’ “key ingredients” include Charleigh Hewitt (3B, Sr.), Emma McCraken (MIF, Jr.), Jayden Jenkins (C, Jr.), Brooke Kysar (MIF, So.) and Cambri Casey (P, So.). “Those five players, as well as a solid mix of others, have the potential to really compete for a top spot in our district,” Wood said. “A couple of things that excite me about our program: One is the investment from the players, parents, administration and community, everyone pulling on the same rope in the same direction,” Wood said. “Two, the talent of the girls in the dugout.”
