GOREVILLE (WSIL)-- The Goreville Blackcats have one special senior class. The 4 girls have been to the championship title game all 3 years, winning the whole thing twice. All they want this year is the opportunity to defend their state title from last season. But for the 4 seniors, the possibility that they have already played their last game in Blackcat uniform, is difficult to process.
"Being realistic, it is very disappointing that we wont get to spend our last year together playing, and even with the coaches and everyone on the filed, it is really hard to think that we might not even get that opportunity this year," said Goreville senior Sam Licka.
"It would be very hard to say goodbye. High school ball is like our all time favorite. We get to play with our best friends and we have such a good coach to have fun with, but now not even having that opportunity to show what we can do on the field sucks," said Goreville senior Adrianna Licka.
But, the season isn't cancelled just yet, but the reigning state champs are doing everything they can do be competition ready.
"If we do get a season this year, they will be ready," said Goreville Softball Head Coach Shanna Green. " They are not going to need any acclamation period to where we need to practice for two weeks before we start. I'm totally confident to throw them all out on the field on day one and go play a game, because that is just the type of girls we have. They will be ready if they have the opportunity."
"I usually send out motivational texts throughout the week to the girls in the group chat, just trying to keep their spirits up," said Goreville senior Kelsey Ray. "Keep them focused on the main goal and that is to go back to state even if we may not get the chance, just to keep their eye on the goal and that we want to go back. So, we have all just been doing individual stuff. I have a sister who is a freshman, so me and her work everyday out in our barn. We have a hitting cage and I know the rest of the girls are working on things too."
"Besides just hitting and playing catch, I have had my sister to keep be in shape and keep me healthy," said Goreville senior Payton Sopczak." We have been going and doing our workouts and running and anything we can do to stay in shape for the year, especially being so active and going from being so active to doing hardly anything.
3 of these seniors will take their games to the collegiate level, but they still want their final high school season.
"Even though I am very grateful that I get to go on and play at the next level, there is nothing like playing for Goreville," said Ray."When you live in this town, we have a very good support system. It is just the best playing for a small town like Goreville and it really stinks they we are not getting to play for them one last time. I am thankful that if this is our last season that we did get to go out as state champions, but I would like to put on that uniform one last time and play for my town."
