WEST POINT — A cast couldn’t keep Mallory Walker from signing a softball scholarship with Snead State.

Flanked by family, teammates, administrators, and present and future coaches, the multi-sport standout had little problem using her limited left hand to pen her autograph on a national letter of intent Tuesday at West Point.

A broken scaphoid (a bone in the wrist) prematurely ended Walker’s prep basketball career earlier this month and is expected to keep her sidelined the first 10 games or so of her senior softball campaign. However, it was never enough for the Parsons to pull their offer, one of many reasons Walker is excited to eventually take her talents to the nearby junior college.

“It’s pretty big,” she said. “I love coach Tracy (Grindrod). He went over the rules with us when we went on a visit and his No. 1 was God, so that’s a big part of it. And I like the school. It’s small but homey.”

There are a few goals Walker would like to take care of at West Point before making the short trek east to play college softball and pursue a career as a dental hygienist. Tops on the list is capturing a second straight county tournament crown. A close second is securing an area championship.

Walker is confident the Lady Warriors can accomplish both tasks. She’ll look to do so alongside a bevy of valuable returners, including shortstop and slugger Karra Elam.

Elam officially signed with Wallace State Sunday — the high school will hold a ceremony in the near future — meaning she and Walker have one more season as teammates before moving forward as Alabama Community College Conference rivals.

Though Walker wishes Elam would’ve followed her to Snead State, she won’t let their friendship stand in the way of wanting to win when their college teams meet on the diamond.

“And we will,” Walker said with a smile.

West Point softball coach Kevin Sullins has watched Walker develop into a next-level talent since stepping into a varsity role as a seventh-grader. As a junior, she batted .429 with two home runs, 20 RBIs, 38 runs, nine doubles and three triples — all while serving as the team’s primary catcher, part-time outfielder and trusty leadoff.

“It’s just good to see somebody that works that hard and loves softball get this ultimate payoff,” Sullins said. “It’s really good for our program here at West Point.”

Having two signees from the same senior class doesn’t hurt in the latter regard, either.

“It’s a very big deal,” he said. “It lets all our younger players know that if they work hard, there’s a chance to move up, move on get your college paid for and have fun while you’re doing it.”

Sullins is already looking forward to Walker receiving a clean bill of health and hopefully rejoining the lineup sometime in March. In the meantime, he’s wanting the Lady Warriors to turn to the “next woman up.”

“We’ll find that, but we’ll be glad to get her back,” Sullins said. “She’s one of the leaders of our team.”

Snead State coach Tracy Grindrod has known the Walker family for quite some time and started keeping up with his new signee around the eighth grade. It didn’t take long for Walker’s competitive spirit to catch Grindrod’s eye.

“I feel like she can hop in and contribute early on,” he said. “She’s kind of the one catcher we have in her recruiting class coming in. I’ll have a couple returning that she’ll be under, but I’m sure she’ll be able to work herself right into the lineup.”

Walker and Ryder Jones were set to receive their 1,000-point balls during West Point’s Senior Night against Vinemont later Tuesday.