By Ross Johnson

Sports Writer

The Troup County 11-12 all-star softball team has quite the championship-laden resume.

The team, coached by Rodney Waldroup and James Thrailkill, boasts up to 15 combined state championship victories among its players.

Five girls were on the 9-10 teams which won state titles in 2006 and 2007, and last year’s 11-12 team also took home the big prize.

With the 2009 Georgia Parks and Recreation state tournament in Augusta just two weeks away, Waldroup knows his team’s experience will lend a huge hand in adding another title under their belts.

“It definitely makes coaching them easier,” said Waldroup, who was an assistant coach on two previous state championship teams. “They’ve been in tournaments like this before, and they know what to do.”

It also helps that there’s a willingness to get better among the team, Waldroup said.

Several girls work on pitching or hitting even after practice has ended, which only increases the team’s chances of winning another state crown.

“It’s automatic for some of them,” Waldroup said. “They immediately go to lessons outside of practice.”

The team’s younger players also have proven leadership to look up to, and they don’t hesitate to ask advice from the veterans.

“The chemistry is great with this team,” Waldroup said. “Some of the older girls show the younger ones the ropes of how to do things and what to expect. The younger girls aren’t afraid to ask them any questions, either.”

The camaraderie between players is benefited by the fact that most of them have played for Waldroup and Thrailkill at some point during regular season this spring, and they’ve either played with or against their current teammates during that time.

In the state tournament, which begins July 9, look for the 11-12 team to score lots of runs.

Waldroup said the team’s strength is in its hitting, and several girls are capable of smacking a ball out of the park.

“(Hitting) is almost a given,” Waldroup said. “It’s disappointing if we don’t get a hit.”

The explosive offense has smothered many teams, including the varsity squads of Manchester and Jordan high schools during previous scrimmages.

“We’ve beaten a bunch of older teams handily,” Waldroup said.

The all-stars were selected by the Troup County Parks and Recreation Commission’s softball coaches, and Waldroup isn’t wondering why any of his players were picked.

Each of the 12 girls on the team bring a lot to the table, according to Waldroup.

“As all-star teams go, this is a top-quality team,” Waldroup said. “They were selected through a process, but they have a desire to be on this team. We’re all pretty confident we can bring a state championship.”