Four Lady Blues earn state softball recognition

• (TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Zoey Harrell was a junior this year who played all over the field for Graham’s Lady Blues. Her work at the plate and in the field brought her a selection to the Texas Girls Coaches Association all-star team for Class 4A. She will play in the all-star game Tuesday, June 25 in Arlington.
• (TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Meagan Brooks was Graham’s starting catcher this past season and helped the team to a successful year which included a regular season and bi-district championship. She was named academic all-state by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.
• (TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Reese Calhoun served as the Lady Blues’ ace pitcher this past year and her work in the circle and at the plate earned her a selection to the 4A All-State team by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.
• (TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Peyton Dobbs was a senior and primary first baseman for the Lady Blues softball team who helped Graham bring home multiple trophies this season. She was named academic all-state by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.

The accolades continue to come in for four members of the Graham Lady Blues softball team despite the season ending nearly a month ago.

Junior Zoey Harrell received a selection to a postseason all-star game, senior Reese Calhoun was named to the all-state team and seniors Meagan Brooks and Peyton Dobbs were named academic all-state.

Harrell was named an all-star by the Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) in the 1A-4A category. She has the opportunity to play in the all-star game for the blue team Tuesday, June 25 at the Workman Softball Complex in Arlington.

The junior made an impact all over the field for the Lady Blues this past year as she saw time in the infield, outfield and the pitcher’s circle. Harrell batted .411 on the season and finished in the top three in multiple offensive categories.

Aside from Calhoun, Harrell pitched the second most innings on the team. She pitched in 14 games, started five of them and finished with a 2-3 record while recording two saves.

Calhoun showcased all year her abilities and earned the accolades to go with them. The senior was named to the 4A All-State Team by the TGCA, one of just 50 players selected in the entire class.

While she possessed an exceptional bat, Calhoun did most of her work in the pitching circle. She was the ace for the team as she pitched in 32 games and started 29 of them. She threw 159 1/3 innings, had a 17-6 record and ended the year with a 2.59 ERA.

For Brooks and Dobbs, though they certainly made their marks for Graham on the field, this recognition also highlights their work in the classroom. Both seniors were named to the Academic All-State Team.

Different organizations may contain varying qualifications for their academic all-state teams, but it always has to do with GPA.
For the TGCA, Brooks and Dobbs both had to have numerical scale GPAs of 94 or above. The honor provides validity to the term “student-athlete.”

During the 2024 season, the Lady Blues posted another successful record which included a second consecutive regular season district championship. Graham went 6-2 in district play and officially claimed the trophy in their final game of the season in a win over Mineral Wells.

The Lady Blues received contributions all across the diamond from lower and upperclassmen alike. This trio of seniors and standout junior played major roles in leading Graham to the winning record and highlight year the team had.

• Sports