It’s time for people to stop and take notice of Kolby Holcombe.

The Alabama Sports Writers Association certainly did so earlier this month, naming the Holly Pond softball standout a Class 3A All-State first-teamer (designated hitter) following an outstanding junior campaign with the Broncos.

Now, it’s our turn.

One look at the terrific stats is all it takes — nobody accomplished more at the plate, nobody accomplished more in the field and nobody is more deserving of The Times’ 2017 All-Area Softball Player of the Year award than Holcombe.

The Samford commit is accompanied by Cullman’s Hannah Morton (Hitter of the Year), Cullman’s Olivia Schwaiger (Pitcher of the Year), and West Point’s Eric Pendley (Coach of the Year) as the distinctive members of the All-Area Team. Schwaiger notched the same honor in 2015 and 2016, while Morton was also a repeat recipient from a year ago.

Let’s start, though, with Holcombe.

She led all of 3A with a .589 batting average to go along with a .624 on-base percentage, 1.131 slugging percentage and 1.755 OPS — Holcombe struck out just once in 107 at-bats — in 37 games for the Green and White. She added 63 hits, 57 RBIs, 35 runs, 18 doubles, seven stolen bases, six homers and five triples, while also turning in a stout defensive spring at shortstop.

Not only was Holcombe the straw that stirred Holly Pond’s drink, but she was also the drink … and the glass, too.

Just ask those who watched her compete this season.

“She’s as good as anybody I’ve seen,” Pendley said. “The best thing about her is that she can hit to both sides with power. If you throw it outside, she’ll hit it to right field. She doesn’t chase anything, either. Anything you look for in a hitter, she’s got it. We didn’t give her many, if any, pitches to hit if the game was within reach. You just don’t throw to her. We messed up a time or two and paid for it.”

Cold Springs coach Patrick West shared similar sentiments with his peer.

“Yeah, we used to pitch to her last year and the year before,” said West, who mused Holcombe would need an 8-foot long bat during the county tournament back in April. “But I learned quickly that I’m going to make someone else beat me. If nobody is on base, maybe she’d get something. If anybody is on base, though, she’s walking. She’s a great hitter, and you don’t want to pitch to her. Ever.”

Morton’s senior season with the Black and Golf was perhaps her best.

She led her squad in home runs (12) and RBIs (51) en route to a .423 batting average and .500 on-base percentage. She delivered time and time again in the cleanup spot, corralling 58 hits, 41 runs, 20 walks, nine doubles, one triple and six stolen bases for Cullman, which won 30 games and secured a spot at the Class 6A state softball tournament in Montgomery for a third straight year.

She was also named a 6A All-State first-teamer as a designated hitter as well.

Schwaiger, meanwhile, was just as reliable in the circle.

The oft-smiling senior recorded a 17-10 record, 2.56 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 118 strikeouts in 155 2/3 innings before her campaign ended after suffering a concussion in the North Regional Tournament in Huntsville. Schwaiger received recognition as a 6A honorable mention to cap off a superb prep career.

Pendley helped the Lady Warriors record 25 triumphs and the program’s fourth consecutive Cullman County Tournament crown. Not only that, but the second-year coach propelled the Maroon and White to a regional tournament for just the third time in program history.

Cullman graced this year’s first team with four fine selections, including Bailey Swann, Sierra Easterwood, Tiffani Schwaiger and McKensi Burks. The Lady Warriors were next in line with three picks — Olivia Ball, Molly Pendley and Lillie Burdette.

Kalynn Holcomb and Jordan Moore represented Fairview, Erika Woodall and Skylar Tucker came through for Good Hope, Drew Sanders and Anna Kate Voce made the cut for Cold Springs and Addison’s Maison Evans rounded out the honorary squad.

Hanceville and Vinemont were represented on the honorable mention list.

Holcombe (four), Olivia Schwaiger (four), Holcomb (three), Easterwood (three) and Morton (three) have all nabbed multiple appearances on the All-Area first team in recent memory.

See below for The Times’ complete 2017 All-Area Softball Team, including honorable mentions:

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The Times’ 2017 All-Area Softball Team

Player of the Year: Kolby Holcombe, Holly Pond

Hitter of the Year: Hannah Morton, Cullman

Pitcher of the Year: Olivia Schwaiger, Cullman

Coach of the Year: Eric Pendley, West Point

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First Team

Maison Evans, Addison

Anna Kate Voce, Cold Springs

Drew Sanders, Cold Springs

Bailey Swann, Cullman

Sierra Easterwood, Cullman

Tiffani Schwaiger, Cullman

McKensi Burks, Cullman

Kalynn Holcomb, Fairview

Jordan Moore, Fairview

Erika Woodall, Good Hope

Skylar Tucker, Good Hope

Olivia Ball, West Point

Molly Pendley, West Point

Lillie Burdette, West Point 

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Honorable Mentions

Cold Springs: Hayden Goodwin, Victoria Freeman

Cullman: Meredith McPherson, Kennedy Wren

Fairview: Katie Ball, Ally Hogeland

Good Hope: Alex Stansell, MyKale Lowe

Hanceville: Cassidy Campbell, Jadah Hurst

Holly Pond: Katie Burnham, Maddie Heatherly

Vinemont: Kanasta Daniel, Maddie Oliver

West Point: Makayla Brown, Carlie Wilkins