The Game Plan by Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



What makes an athlete successful? Talent, coordination, the ability to deal with pressure? Sure all those things help, but the majority of successful athletes got their day in the sun because they worked hard and developed their natural abilities.

That’s exactly what recently graduated and former Mortimer Jordan softball player Shelbey Faucett did. She worked hard to maximize her God-given talent and she produced a senior season to remember. One that earned her All-State recognition from the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

After her junior season, Faucett wanted to have the best final high school season she possibly could have, so she went to work, taking extra batting practice and working at her game daily until her senior season rolled around.

Faucett’s payoff for the extra work turned out to be a 100-plus point improvement in her batting average and career high totals in home runs, doubles, runs scored and RBIs.

Her success this past spring didn’t come as a surprise to her teammates, because they had seen Faucett give her all to the sport of softball for years.

The Lady Blue Devil’s third baseman always stayed focused on the field. Her concentration was highlighted Jordan head coach Laura Rickman tested her girl’s alertness during regular season games.

When the Lady Blue Devils where in the field on defense, Rickman often yelled out between pitches. She asked how many outs there were in the inning and what base was the opposing runner on.

Invariably, Faucett would be the first Jordan player to answer. She had the correct answer every time. Her mind was always focused on the right thing every time she took the field.

Her dedication and hard work over the years, had a storybook ending this spring when she hammered a grand slam in the 5A state championship game against Hartselle.

Faucett and her teammates capped the year with a 33-game wining streak and the school’s second state title.

For Faucett, her softball career will continue when she enrolls at Bevill State Community College this fall. So, it’s possible she may create more memorable moments on the diamond.

If she does, it’ll be because of her hard work, her focus and her intense love of the game.

To read more about this former Lady Blue Devil, pick up a copy of the premiere issue of The North Jefferson Vision magazine and read about her outstanding senior year.