FIRST PRIORITY CLASSIC

 The Whitley County First Priority Lady Colonel Softball Classic may be the only tournament of its kind in the state. Not only do the teams get to showcase their talent on the field, but also they get to showcase their team leaders through devotion and prayer.

“We are very excited about the 4^th Annual Classic,” Whitley County Tournament Director David Halcomb said. “We have expanded this year’s tournament to 12 teams and it should be very competitive.”

This tournament has quickly become one of the best in eastern Kentucky. “We have great facilities here at Whitley County and it gives us an opportunity to put them on display for teams all across the state,” Halcomb said.

“To be able to partner with a great Christian organization like First Priority makes it even better,” Halcomb said. “First Priority has student-led Christian clubs in most of the schools that will be participating in our tournament.”

The field was expanded from six to 12 teams after much success in the first three years. “I feel like we have put together a very balanced field of teams, with Bishop Brossart and Grant County possibly being the favorites to win it going in,” Halcomb added. “However, there are several good teams in it that could get on a roll and surprise some people. Clay County comes in with a great record, as does Simon Kenton, who was in last year’s championship game.”

“I also believe we will play well, it’s always good to represent well in our own tourney,” he said of the Lady Colonels. Coach Amanda Moses is doing a great job and will put together a solid season for our Lady Colonels. When putting on a big event such as this, the big concern is the weather, hopefully we will have two beautiful days and the weather won’t become a factor,” Halcomb said.

The Lady Colonels will honor one of their own to kick off the festivities Friday afternoon. “We have an extremely special event planned to kick off the First Priority Lady Colonels Softball Classic this year,” he said. “We will have a dedication ceremony Friday at 4:45 for Mr. Gene Mosley, who passed away last fall. Geno was a great ambassador for the game of softball and served as a pitching instructor to many young ladies from this area,” Halcomb said.

He was the Director of Parks and Recreation for Williamsburg for over 20 years and was inducted into the Kentucky Softball Association Hall of Fame in 1990.

“Our Lady Colonels Softball family has missed him terribly this season. His love and passion for the game of softball was second to none,” Halcomb said. “We wanted to show our appreciation to Geno and would like to invite others to come out and share this event with us.”

The teams in the tournament include: Clay County, Harlan, Somerset and Whitley County in Pool A; Bishop Brossart, Grant County, Harlan County and Williamsburg in Pool B and Jackson County, Jellico, Middlesboro and Simon Kenton in Pool 3.

Friday, April 20

 Pool A at Whitley Co. High

5:30 – Whitley Co. vs. Harlan

7:00 – Clay Co. vs. Somerset

8:30 – Somerset vs. Whitley Co.

Pool B at Whitley Middle – Field B

5:30 – Harlan Co. vs. Williamsburg

7:00 – Grant Co. vs. Harlan Co.

8:30 – Bishop Brossart vs. Grant Co.

Pool C at Whitley Middle – Field C

5:30 – Middlesboro vs. Jackson Co.

7:00 – Jackson Co. vs. Jellico

8:30 – Simon Kenton vs. Middlesboro

Saturday, April 21

Pool A at Whitley Co. High

9:00 – Harlan vs. Clay Co.

10:30 – Clay Co. vs. Whitley Co.

12:00 – Somerset vs. Harlan

Pool B at Whitley Middle – Field B

9:00 – Williamsburg vs. Bishop Brossart

10:30 – Bishop Brossart vs. Harlan Co.

12:00 – Williamsburg vs. Grant Co.

Pool C at Whitley Middle – Field C

9:00 – Jellico vs. Simon Kenton

10:30 – Simon-Kenton vs. Jackson Co.

12:00 – Middlesboro vs. Jellico