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Tapley,Allen dominate mound year round
Thursday, 22 October 2009

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By Kenneth Mister
Daily Times Leader

 Oak Hill fast-pitch softball player Mamie Allen throws a pitch during a 2009 game.  

 

By Kenneth Mister
Daily Times Leader

West Point and other Clay County schools have been known to produce some of the most talented football players in the state.  Former area athletes Tom Goode, Orlando Bobo and Jesse Anderson have all experienced extensive careers in the NFL.  

What has been overlooked, however, is the fact that Clay County currently possesses two of the most dominant fast-pitch softball players in the state.  Hebron pitcher Chloe Tapley and Oak Hill pitcher Mamie Allen have accomplished as freshmen what others players may never attain in  an entire high school career.  

During the 2009 season, Tapley struck out 196 batters, accumulated five no-hitters and four one-hit games.  At the plate, she batted .477 (.509 in the regular season) and scored 22 runs.  

Tapley's dominance on the mound and at the plate is a joy to watch, Tapley's father and Hebron softball coach Cass Tapley said.  

"The fact that you always have a steady pitcher is great," he said.  "I really have to stand back at times and remember she is still just a kid and try not put put too much pressure on her.  To ask a child that has just passed her 14th birthday to give you 10 to 15 strikeouts in a seven inning game is asking a lot.  I am really spoiled since I don't know what it is like to try and win a game without having a good pitcher."

And having a good pitcher such as Tapley was a key element to the Lady Eagles 2009 resurgence.  After struggling through the first eight games of the season, the Lady Eagles finished 11-1 and went undefeated in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools, Class A, District 3 tournament.  

Hebron's improvement was something Tapley and her teammates worked on constantly, coach Tapley said.  

"Our season's turn around this year wasn't something that just happened," he said.  "Our hitters worked hard and came around but what no one saw was Chloe working to get her pitching straightened out."

Tapley's hard-nosed work ethic was displayed when she met up with her pitching coach, coach Tapley said.  

"The first day with him she actually pitched until she threw up from the heat," he said.  "And this is from a girl that pitched and played all through June and July in the heat.  As always, the extra effort paid off.  From that point, she was 10-1 in the regular season including five no-hitters and 103 strikeouts in 50 innings."

While Tapley helped bring about a drastic change at Hebron, the same can can be said for Mamie Allen at Oak Hill.  During her three-year tenure,  Allen has struck out 350 batters (130 in 2009) and helped the Lady Raiders advance to the North State Tournament in 2009.  She went 9-8 as starting pitcher - seven of those losses were by only one run.  As a freshman, Allen has transitioned into a team leader, Oak Hill softball coach Marion Bratton said.  

"She's a competitor," he said.  "I know when you put Mamie on the mound you have a chance to win.  She has kept us in every ball game when she was at the plate."

Oak Hill, who has only two seniors,  looked to Allen for for guidance, Bratton said.  

"She has taken that (leadership) role," he said.  "When she pitches, everyone relaxes and they know they have a chance.  (Her teammates) understand that if they come to play they will win with Mamie on the mound."

Oak Hill fell twice to Indianola Academy in the North State Tournament.  The Lady Raiders, however, did get revenge by defeating Carroll Academy - the team that put them out of the district tournament.  Allen struck out a total of 27 batters in the tournament before falling to Indianola 3-2.  

Allen's talents have not gone unnoticed.  Allen has caught the attention of college coaches, Bratton said.  

"I already have coaches looking at her," he said.  "I've tried to keep her away from all of it because I don't want too much pressure on her."

Allen's mother Kim Allen said she remembers when it all began.  

"I never dreamed she would pitch as good as she has," Allen said.  "I remember the first time she said she wanted to pitch.  I thought it wouldn't last long but it has.  She has come a long way."

Allen, who has been pitching since she was nine, began her softball career in 2002 when she played for the Dancing Feet Academy Dolls.  Allen has played in tournaments throughout Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, and Kansas.  

During Allen's summer league experiences, she joined forces with Tapley.  Over the past three summers, Allen and Tapley have won three state championships and a World Series.  They have also won multiple United States Fast-Pitch Association and Amateur Softball Association championships.  

Coach Tapley said he remembers how the idea of Tapley and Allen joining teams came about.  

"The idea of of Mamie joining our (summer league) team came from Chloe," he said.  We needed a couple players and Chloe continuously pushed for me to call Mamie and the rest is history.  I always try to let them both pitch in the early pool games then rotate games in tournament play.  We have actually gone through competitive tournaments allowing 4-5 hits for the entire tournament."

Allen and Tapley have a combined 832 strikeouts over the past three years.  The idea of Allen and Tapley joining the same high school team would be a dream come true, Bratton said.  

"It would be an honor," he said.  "Both of them can hit and play other positions.  When you have a couple of good pitchers, you can go a long way."

Coach Tapley agrees that a Tapley and Allen high school union would create enormous problems for opponents.  

"They would be a tournament nightmare for either A or AA teams for the next three years.  We have to remember these kids are dominating at times already and they are still babies.  I know Mamie has been on the North 3-A All-Tournament team and Chloe was on the 2008 District 3-A MVP.  Now if we could just get coach Bratton to send her down the road to us."
Last Updated ( Monday, 23 November 2009 )
 
 
 
 
Congrats.. to the players, parents, coaches, student body,
teachers and staff of West Point Hight School for the 2009 Ms. Football
Championship.  This shows us what can happen when a community stands together.  Best
wishes from Jesse Pulliam class of 1972. - Jesse Pulliam

 
There sure does seem to be limited news of the Green Wave in
this paper these days.... That's unfortunate, but GO GREENIES AND
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! - Luke Robataille
 
We would like to congratulate the West Point Green Wave for
their season victory.  We support our family and we always support anything that our
family is a part of.  We would like to say for you to continue the hard work, keep
your grades up, and keep GOD first.  Congratulations to Coach Pickens as well as all
the other coaching staff for your hard work. - Pickens Family

 
It had been a long time coming, but the WP Green Waves have
done it again. I am very proud of you all and look out Miss.. State you got some
wonderful players headed your way! God Bless everyone. - Demetrius Jefferson

 
Congratulations to WPHS football team and coaches on winning
the 5A state championship - Nash D. Montgomery, Virginia Beach, Virginia - WPHS
class of 1972! - Nash Montgomery
 
Congratulations Greenies, 5A State Champs!!!
- Mavis Jackson Williams, WPHS Class of 1979 

Big congratulations to the greenwave from the Gulf Coast.
- Robert L. Wright, Daphne, Alabama - WPHS class of 1977

Green wave spirit all the way from iraq great job greenies - TC Harris
 
I would like to wish the coaching staff and the West Point
High School Football team GOOD LUCK and a SAFE TRIP as they travel to the 5A State
Championship in Jackson!!! - Mrs. Antwaunette Jones Taylor
 
West Point Green Waves, we ready to take that ride to Jack
Town. Wish you all nothin but the best. C/O 2005 P.S. Lookin foward to seeing you
Lil Bro #22! - Jarvis Jefferson Sr.
 
 2 bits, 4 bits, 6 bits a dollar, All for the Greenwaves, Stand up and Holler!  Lets Go Greenwave! - Kahla Thomas

Just like 2005, I have my reservations made for Jackson.
Lets get it done again Green Wave! - Woa Townsend

Win,win,win,see you in Jackson Ms, for the playoff. - Rev Nudennie Moore

GO BIG GREENWAVES! LETS BRING HOME THE CHAMPIONSHIP. - Anthony Tallie
 
I wish u guys the best season - Joshua Lee

 Go green waves and win, win, and win. - Rev Joe Smith

  GOOD LUCK WEST POINT SWIM TEAM!!! I hope yall have a great
season this year! Even though I'm not there, I'm cheering ya'll on up here! - Brandon Berry

Go Green Wave! Keep up the good work. - Robin Birmingham C/O '96
 
 
 
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