And while people have always built these things up in their minds... they don't always come to fruition.
Very rarely, actually.
What am I talking about?
The next best thing... the heirs apparent... the future... the wait-until-THEY-get-here.
We've all seen it. It's one thing to claim it... a far different thing for that expectation to become reality.
A talented group of athletes as youngsters... ones that dominate at the lower levels... get their families and fans excited. It doesn't necessarily mean a thing.
For every middle school success story that eventually panned out, there's probably twice as many that never reached their potential.
Lots of hard work, dedication, continued growth, great coaching and support all play a role. And you can throw in a few breaks and several strokes of good fortune... and every now and then... the phenoms become phenomenal.
The young ladies that make up the East Marshall Class of 2015 have carried this tag for several years now... and for good or for bad... that's how it's been around Mustangville.
A long standing tradition of softball at the school was re-ignited three years ago when East Marshall earned its way back to the state tournament after nearly a two-decade hiatus. While they were not yet the heart of the team... the group of freshmen didn't waste time getting into the mix and making their presence felt.
The following year, there would be no more denying it... the future was now... and the sophomores dotted the starting lineup all over the field.
Pitcher, catcher, shortstop, left field and...
First base.
And while most stories like this are met with some detractors, the story has played out, just how Coach Jary Hoskey had hoped. Three straight state tournament softball bid have energized the community and made memories that will last a lifetime.
In the middle of it all is Coach Hoskey's daughter, Kylee.
Taz... Tazzy... Ky-Ky... and who hasn't heard her father call her "Big Gurl ?!?!?"
It's never easy being the kid of the coach... you're under the microscope... more is expected... and less slack is given.
It's just how it is.
While the pressure and expectation have been great, the results have spoken for themselves.
And the best news is? They have one more year with nearly all the moving parts back in the fold. (and I can't lie... we think it's pretty cool that all five seniors came to Stewart Photography this year!)
With that as our backdrop, Team Hoskey was in for their second installment of "Mustang Softball Roundtable".... errrr.... I mean senior pictures.
Sister Kaci was five years ago as a member of the Class of 2010... and a week ago Wednesday was middle daughter Kylee's turn.
Epic softball images were a given... as it was for her four other classmates who had already been in earlier this summer. But just like sis, Kylee was willing to wait for the fall colors to pop to accent their trademark hair hue.
Papa Jary and Mama Con were both in the fold again... toting umbrellas, aiming reflectors, holding strobes and wrangling grey cards.
The sarcasm was abound and the smiles came early and often on this day. I can't say I was surprised by any of it. Kylee happens to be one of my daughter's very best friends... and we consider all the Hoskey's friends of our own.
Also in the category of not being surprised about it... was when I asked Miss Hoskey about what she wanted from her session. She shrugged and said she really had very few ideas... and that she really just trusted me.
Very cool in my book.
We did know we had to return to Casa de Hoskey, just like sis... and we had to go to the diamond in LeGrand... just like sis... and they needed a softball composite... again... just like sis.
Other than that... we had to work in Ky-Ky's favorite toy... her four-wheeler... and from there... the rest was up to me.
So while I'm sure the family is looking most forward to our softball creations, the rest of the story had to be told... just like this next summer... the final chapter of The Next Best Thing v.2015 will be written for Kylee and her father's softball program.
And just like they've been looking forward to this blog... the community looks forward to this classes final salvo.
Thanks Team Hoskey for letting fire another fastball down the middle. Not surprisingly, Kylee smoked it into the gap.
No comments:
Post a Comment