Twelve area players earn All-District honors

Twelve players from Sequoyah, Sweetwater and Tellico Plains earned All-District honors, with four of those names picking up specialty awards.

District 3-2A: Seven players were named to the All-District team from Sweetwater and Tellico Plains. Five Lady Bears line the list while Sweetwater’s Lilly Woodruff was named Offensive MVP.

Woodruff did not take long to take to the varsity level as a freshman, She batted .440 on the season with 40 hits and 16 RBIs while striking out only eight times.

On the mound, she struck out 57 batters through 72 innings.

“I talked to her before the season started about how there is always that adjustment period coming in as a freshman and I thought she did very well doing that,” Sweetwater coach Sarah Davies said. “She did not miss a beat hitting in that three spot. She had good pitch selection, she did a great job and she earned that title.”

Meya Keener, Kadance Moses, Taylor Rose, Bella Wright and Kalli Yates-Matoy were named to the team, representing Tellico Plains.

“I just think it is a good compliment on how hard they work and the time they have put in for it,” Tellico Plains coach Don Swanson said. “I felt like I got what I thought I would get out of them and they exceeded it a little bit. I look forward to getting more out of them next year.

“I think they were a valuable asset to the team.”

Keener batted .356 with 26 hits and 22 RBIs for Tellico while Rose notched a .342 average with 26 hits and 12 RBIs. Yates-Matoy hit .314 with 22 hits and 13 RBIs — all three had two home runs.

On the mound, Kadence Moses struck out 139 batters with a 2.90 ERA — striking out 31% of batters faced. Moses also batted .316 with 24 hits.

Bella Wright found 17 hits when at the plate while excelling in the infield with 52 putouts and a .922 fielding percentage.

All five return for the 2025 season.

“I think it helps them in their confidence to see how far they have come. They know what is ahead of them and I feel like next year will be our best year,” Swanson added.

Tori Thompson also earned an All-District season for Sweetwater.

Thompson won a starting job throughout the season where she batted .289 with 24 hits and 16 RBIs. A versatile player who saw at least five positions this season, Thompson finished the season with 17 putouts and 31 total catches defensively.

“She came back out and she did not miss a beat. She paid her dues and did what she had to do,” Davies added. “She started the season not starting, she would come in and play a utility role. She never once complained about anything.

“She found her groove in the outfield and hit the ball well. We were very lucky to have her back and she has been instrumental to this team.”

District 5-3A: Five Lady Chiefs earned All-District honors after a second-place finish from Sequoyah. Alicia Kimble and Tynleigh Ray headlined the group with Kimble being named the Offensive Player of the Year and Ray the Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

“All five of them were deserving. It is nice to see them get recognized for their accomplishments and how well they played. I’m very happy to see them land All-District,” Sequoyah coach Allen Roberts said. “They were the backbone. They have done so much for us and brought so much to the table every night. How we performed had a lot to do with them.

“They have been solid for four years and have done such a good job for us and steady every night.”

Kimble finished her senior year batting .500 with a 1.049 slugging percentage and 41 hits. She also added 12 home runs and 36 RBIs.

One of the top catchers in the area, Kimble caught seven runners stealing and picked off five base runners. Kimble tallied 141 putouts.

“Alicia behind the plate has been solid and been a leader. On top of that, such a great hitter and commands a lot of respect,” Roberts added.

Ray finished her senior year with two double plays and 38 putouts, reaching a .974 fielding percentage. Across the year, Ray only turned two errors.

At the plate, Ray batted .293 with 22 hits, 10 extra-base hits and 25 RBIs.

“She has been solid (defensively) and does not make errors and I can play her anywhere. She knows what she is doing and has been solid for us,” Roberts said.

Kaleigh Atchley shined as a sophomore pitcher, striking out 103 batters through 71 innings. She finished her campaign with a 2.47 ERA and struck out 32.4% of batters faced.

Shae Ahlstrom’s bat lit up in 2024. She batted .406 with a .519 on-base percentage, tallying 26 hits and 10 RBIs. In the field, Ahlstrom totaled 15 putouts and 19 total catches.

“(Atchley) has pitched great all year and the strikeout rate has been great. When she gets a lot of outs like that it takes the pressure off of your defense,” Roberts said. “(Ahlstrom) has had a great year. I was looking for her to come in and have a good year. She is a very humble and hard-working player. She has really improved defensively and offensively, she was a big part of us.”

Lilly Griffitts finished the season with 106 putouts at first base. The senior notched a .950 fielding percentage and was a part of three double plays. She batted .333 with 29 hits and 24 RBIs.

“Has been a rock defensively at first for three years. It is a position we do not have to worry about and she helps the infielders out a whole lot too,” Roberts said.

Heritage’s Izzie Hayes was named MVP and Pitcher of the Year while teammate Brooke Perrin was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

Lenoir City’s Sophie Reed was named Freshman of the Year.

Heritage’s All-District team featured Ellah Wheelon, Portyln Bennett, Emma Lonas and Kenna Hicks.

Kathryn McGlothlan, Kathryn Smithers, Anna Snodderly and Mikoal Stephens represent South-Doyle. Loudon’s Arabella Geames, Chloe Jenkins and Baylee Yates were named to the team along with Lenoir City’s Reagan Helton.

Meigs County’s Lainey Fitzgerald was named the MVP with Kingston’s Sailor Presley being named Defensive MVP and Meigs’ Sadie Scott as Newcomer of the Year.

The Lady Tigers advanced to the Class 2A state tournament, led by All-District recipients Sierra Howard, Kylee Hitson, Madylin Johnson and Alexis Kazy.

Kingston’s representatives include Macey Neal, Maris Neal, Irelyn Beaumia, Ava Hamilton and Rhyan Henslee.

Lauren Peterson, Jayme Tiberio and Lily Graves represent McMinn Central alongside Polk County’s Sarah Frank.