Five seniors on the roster have made that trip every year since seventh grade — a streak as rare as it sounds.
DOTHAN, Ala. - The Houston Academy Raiders got a sendoff from their school Friday before making their 10th trip to the state softball tournament — but for this group, the journey to Oxford means more than the milestone.
Five seniors on the roster have made that trip every year since seventh grade — a streak as rare as it sounds. This season, however, tested them like never before. Injuries struck before the first pitch was even thrown: a broken thumb to their lead hitter and catcher, a torn-up arm for their right fielder, and shin splints that sidelined their pitcher. The Raiders had to adapt — and fast.
“We had an 8th grader and a 10th grader step up and do a phenomenal job. And it’s just helped me realize — I had to start practicing what I preach. I tell the girls we can’t control everything. We can only control the controllable,” Cherry said.
“There’s been a lot of hardships, a lot of injuries, and I feel like this year we’ve really pushed through and we’ve really worked harder than we ever have because we really want to win it this year,” Maddox said. The Raiders enter the tournament holding a 36-6 overall record and a perfect 10-0 mark in the region — and they’ve done it while competing in Class 5A, despite being closer in size to a 2A school by the numbers.
It’s a rematch with meaning. The two teams met in the semifinals last year, and Maddox says the Raiders are ready for the challenge.
“I think Coach Cherry has prepared us really well for that. And it’s going to be something that we’re going to have to really focus on and hone in on,” Maddox said. Cherry’s message heading into the tournament is straightforward: field the ball, throw the ball, and let the pitcher hit her spots.
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. They know they deserve this opportunity. They know that they’ve earned it,” Cherry said. The Raiders aren’t the only area team making the trip — five area teams are headed to state, and Houston Academy has beaten all of them this season.
“We’ve played all of those teams. And fortunately, we have beat all of those teams. And hopefully, those really tough games, those really tough challenges are going to help us,” Cherry said. The last time Houston Academy won a state title was in Class 3A in 2022.
They’ve finished in the top three in each of the last several years. Now competing as the underdog in 5A, this team has already proven it knows how to find a way. Download the WTVY News4 app to get alerts and stories the moment they are published.
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