Coach Danette Holcombe’s motto for Rabun County this year says it all: Strong Alone, Together Unstoppable. The trio of seniors are looking to make this 2016 season unforgettable.
Holcombe, a former Chestatee High School star pitcher, has had to make some adjustments from her first year as head coach at Rabun to this year. She knows the program has reached new heights with back-to-back state playoff trips.
“They’re building blocks,” says Holcombe. “We build a little bit more every year. I think to go [to state] for a third time in a row would be very important, but more so to go deeper in the playoffs is what I’d like to see this team do.”
Holcombe’s Lady Cats went 14-16 last season on the way to the state tournament, and made it the year prior, when Holcombe was an assistant coach, with a 13-17 record. This year’s team will rely heavily on its three seniors, especially star pitcher/outfielder Trista Houston, who batted .444 with 4 homers and 41 RBI in 2015.
“I don’t know if I can put it into words,” replies Holcombe to how special Houston has been. “Trista really amazes me. Not only on the mound, but I’ve never seen anybody swing as hard as she does.”
Holcombe doesn’t shy away from the fact that Houston will have a lot of pressure on her to play at a high level for the team to be successful.
“She’s so important to our team and I don’t know how I’m going to replace her when she leaves. But our success is on her back, but she knows that, and she’s okay with that.”
Rabun has other players supporting Houston, such as seniors Tessa Matheson and shortstop Summer Fountain, as well as junior Jayden Quilliams and freshman Sarah Sprinkle.
Social Circle and Rabun appear to be the front-runners for the Region 8-AA title, since annual favorite Union County has moved up to 7-AAA. Banks County, another state playoff team, steps back into 8-AA in the switch, not making things much easier.
“I still think our region’s tough because we’re not playing double-headers this year and we have to compete every game,” says Holcombe. “There’s not an easy team in our region.”
Holcombe feels that not playing double-headers within region benefits Rabun because Houston won’t have to pitch two games like she has in the past.
“I just need seven good innings,” says Holcombe.
Houston, despite having a spectacular junior year, says she’s improved for this season.
“There’s always room for improvement, [so I’m just] staying focused,” states Houston.
Her pitching too has improved. “Last year I gave up a lot of hits with two strikes, so I’ve been working on my 0-2 count. I’ve been staying ahead in the count and working on my changeup.”
Houston also partook in a “rapid fire” session with BLITZ where she shares a little about herself as well as her favorite memories as a Rabun County Lady Wildcat.
