Sure As Shelton

The best players prevail under pressure and put pressure on their opponents. Kathy Shelton ability to do withstand and wield pressure are just a few reasons why she's the Most Valuable Player of VYPE's All-Collin County Softball Team. The McKinney North junior consistently proved herself to be among the state's best players at the plate, with the glove and on the base paths. While being named Most Valuable Player of District 9-4A and earning All-State honors, Shelton was the catalyst for the Lady Dawgs' offense, hitting for average, stealing bases and leading the team in runs scored. A varsity starter since her freshman season, Shelton also provided veteran experience as North advanced to within one playoff win of the state tournament under a new coach. "I didn't really know just how good she was until I got up here," first-year North coach Dan Sedgwick said of the Baylor commitment. "She definitely has got the gift for softball. That's the kind of player she is." Shelton barely nudged out stiff MVP competition including Offensive Player of the Year Brittany Griffiths who hit .491 with five home runs and 27 RBI and Co-Pitchers of the Year Taylor Jones, who won 20 games for Plano East and Lindsey Rykiel who struck out 287 for Frisco Centennial. Allen's Karen MacPherson and North's Lindsey Post were voted Co-Defensive Players of the Year. Sedgwick shared Coach of the Year honors with Plano's Cynthia Zea. Most Valuable Player Kathy Shelton, McKinney North Offensive Player of the Year Brittany Griffiths, Plano Co-Defensive Players of the Year Karen MacPherson, Allen Lindsey Post, McKinney North Co-Pitchers of the Year Taylor Jones, Plano East Lindsey Rykiel, Frisco Centennial Newcomer of the Year Jordan Rowe, Allen Co-Coaches of the Year Dan Sedgwick, McKinney North Cynthia Zea, Plano First Team Pitchers Alexis Cantu, Frisco Wakeland Abbi Frakes, Plano Kassidy Holmes, Celina Elizabeth Lindsey, McKinney Boyd Kylie Walker, Plano West Catchers Paige Burke, Plano West Amanda Cave, Frisco Infielders Joey Cronin, Celina Brooke Foster, Wylie Magean De La Torre, Plano West Vonnie Martin, Plano Ashliegh MacLean, McKinney North Stevie Pierce, Plano Outfielders MacKenzie Andrews, Plano West Sarah Becker, McKinney North Nicki Duff, Plano East Kari Karr, Frisco Brittanie Knowles, Celina Amanda Parsonage, McKinney North Second Team Pitchers Amanda Burke, Prestonwood Christian Hailey Higgins, McKinney Christian Jeni Obeter, Frisco Lissa Pappas, Prosper Dayna Purl, Plano West Krystal Ruth, Wylie Catchers Jasmine San Miguel, Celina Danielle Tharp, Plano East Sara Todd, Wylie Infielders Aariote Austin, Plano East Allison Higgins, McKinney Christian Meghan Knowles, McKinney North Kayla Millette, Plano West Paige Nelson, McKinney Christian Jordan Strickland, Princeton Claire Toney, Prosper Sara Watson, Plano East Outfielders MacKenzie Andrews, Plano West Macy Burr, Plano Allie Helm, Allen Lauren Peterson, Plano East Lya Swaner, Wylie Laura Terrell, Plano West