Phoenix gals ready to rise

LOGANTON, PA – There is something experienced and something new with the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School softball team this season; five girls are back from two years ago (last year lost to COVID-19) and seven program newcomers, plus a new coaching staff in head coach Kaylin Smith and assistant Kristi Bechdel.

The program is now into its fourth season and had hoped for league play a year ago, but due to the pandemic, has had to delay league participation until this spring in the Mid-Penn Conference. Coach Smith said the team is excited to see how it goes with a full schedule this year. And while most of the Lady Phoenix games will be away, the program will have its first home game at its field at the Booneville campgrounds.

First game of the new season will be Tuesday, March 30 at Muncy, game time 4:30 p.m.

Sugar Valley practices at the old Sugar Valley High School field, the result of a cooperative agreement with Loganton Borough, the charter school and property owner Sam Lapp (owner/operator of the nearby Scenic Ridge store).

Coach Smith told The Record, “We are a young team, experience wise, but our girls stick together.” She said with new coaches, comes new expectations: “From the start of last year (before the COVID put the season to an end) we began building our team around working together and giving the team all you have. As coaches, we are hoping to see our girls continue to learn and grow, not just as players, but as teammates as well. They come to practice ready to work hard, but have fun as well. We are very excited to see the girls on the field for our first ever conference game!”