Though this is his first season as the Wilmington High School varsity softball coach, Brian Spurlock has plenty of coaching experience.
And he has plenty of returning talent to hopefully improve upon Wilmington’s third place finish in the SBAAC American Division last season.
Spurlock said there are 10 returning varsity players, led by SBAAC first teamers Olivia Veidt and Harlie Bickett and second teamers Sophie Blessing and Madi Flint.
“I feel very fortunate to inherit a team of young women with incredible talent, strong work ethics, and positive attitudes,” said Spurlock, who will be assisted by Lacy Myers, Josh Bickett and JV coach Jimmy Cramton.
Wilmington was 9-10 last season in Glen Blessing’s last year as head coach. Spurlock comes in after serving as a fast-pitch coach for six years and a men’s military softball coach for 10 seasons.
Courtney Smart, a first team All-SBAAC all-star in 2018, is the top 2018 graduate not returning to the Lady Hurricane squad.
Jena Rhoads is a key newcomer, Spurlock said.
The first-year coach said his squad can contend with Clinton-Massie and Western Brown for the league title if “we play together as one team instead of 13 individuals.”
Spurlock also believes his squad is capable of being a league contender but he and the other coaches must convince “the girls they are as good as the coaching staff knows they are.”