June 2010

Shortstop Abby Child

Since she began playing travel ball at the age of 10, Abby Child has been no secret in the Georgia softball community. Abby is a senior now and has been a five-year starter at shortstop for the Lady Warriors of LaGrange Academy. Since starting a fastpitch program, LaGrange Academy and head coach Charles Parker have consistently fielded one of the area's top softball teams each year, producing many college-bound players. They have reached the state Final Four every year since its conception. In the last few years playing for LA, Abby has also spent much time on the pitcher's mound for Coach Parker. But at the plate is where she has earned her reputation throughout Georgia softball.

During her career at LaGrange Academy and through travel ball, she has become widely known as one of the South's top power hitters. Though being routinely pitched around, Abby has been able to compile some impressive career batting statistics. She finished at LA with a batting average of .507 and a .699 on base percentage. She collected 149 hits, had 178 RBIs and hit 34 homeruns with a .961 slugging percentage. Abby averaged a home run every 8.65 of her at bats, while being walked 32.7 percent of her plate appearances. While at LaGrange Academy, her teams played to a record of 124 wins and 17 losses, which included state championships in 2005 and 2006. Abby was nicknamed "The Animal" by her teammates because of her work ethic and practice habits. She was named First Team All-State all five seasons.

Abby currently plays travel ball with the Georgia Impact Gold based out of Atlanta. She has played "Gold" ball since she was a freshman. This is the sport’s highest level. She has played in many of the premier tournaments across the country, including the ASA Gold National Tournament in Oklahoma City. In 2008 she was selected by Adidas as one of the nation's Top 100 Recruits. She was invited to and participated in the Elite College Combine in St. George, Utah.

Abby received scholarship offers from Virginia Tech, Georgia State, USC Upstate, Siena, Presbyterian, Liberty, Canisius, UTEP, Utah Valley State, Columbus State and North Georgia, among others. She ultimately decided to attend Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina. Abby says, "Anderson felt like home away from home, and I wanted to go somewhere to make a difference on the program. I am committed to doing that at AU." She has signed an athletic scholarship and will begin swinging the bat for the Trojans in the fall. Anderson’s head coach, Tommy Hewitt, states, "Abby's skills are at a very high level. She knows the game extremely well and will have an immediate positive impact on the team and our program."

Abby's sister, Molly, is a pitcher/outfielder and rising junior at LaGrange Academy. All indications are that she is soon to have her own legacy at LaGrange Academy. 

Dagny Langford

Thump, thump, thump swish. Dagny Langford doesn't really remember those sounds as an infant, but she's sure her early days on her dad's shoulder as he shot baskets in the driveway had a lifelong effect on her. Basketball was literally inescapable in the Langford home. "Not playing basketball was just never a consideration in our family," said the graduating LaGrange Academy senior. "I wouldn't say Dad was a basketball fanatic but he sure loved it, and he assumed his daughters would love it, too. It just came naturally."

Dagny's mother is a music person. With a master’s degree in music education and years of conducting choirs and choral groups, it was a given that her daughters would dance, sing and play musical instruments. Dagny remembers: "Mom gave it an honest try. She introduced us to ballet, tap dance, jazz dance, piano and guitar, and I was in Young Singers. It’s not that I didn't enjoy those things, but there was just something about team sports. They were more fun to me. Softball, soccer and basketball took most of my spare time. Eventually the dance and music sort of faded away, but Mom was a good sport about it. She's hardly ever missed a game, whether rec ball, travel ball or school ball. I think maybe she's a closet athlete."

Well, it all paid off for Dagny. Basketball prevailed over the other sports, possibly because of her 6' 2" height. Through middle school and early high school she played all three sports. By her sophomore year she chose to concentrate on basketball.

Dagny was a freshman starter on the 2007 LaGrange Academy state championship team. Her teammate Porsha Morgan, a junior then, also lived with the Langfords during the school year. "Porsha was a real influence on me. She faced so much adversity in her life and was so studious and dedicated. We had so much fun that I really began to love basketball," said Dagny. She was equally influenced by her sister, Mary Ann, who just wrapped up a four-year basketball career as a starter at Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina. Their only team experience together was in 2006 when Mary Ann led the LaGrange Academy Warriors to the state championship when Dagny was an eighth-grader on the varsity team.

Dagny's accomplishments have been considerable at LaGrange Academy. Her awards include four-time All-Region, three-time All-State, two state championship rings, MVP twice, GISA All-Stars, All-Troup County and membership in the LaGrange Academy Thousand Point Club, one of only six in school history. The versatile player (she's played at post, forward and guard) averaged a double-double (points and rebounds) in both her junior and senior seasons and came within one blocked shot of a rare triple-double.

Dagny had several college basketball opportunities with full rides being offered during school visits. She narrowed her options based on the availability of her desired degree in interior design. She and her family were impressed with the well-recognized program at Anderson University. But it took the influence of Anderson head basketball coach Jim Brunelli to win Dagny over. And win her over he did. In his second year as a head coach, he has two Conference Carolinas championships to his credit and aims to win an eventual Division 2 NCAA national championship. Dagny plays heavily into his plan.

Dagny graduated from LaGrange Academy on May 27 and began summer school four days later at Anderson to get her feet wet before her scholarship begins in August. Needless to say, she is excited and anxious to get started.

Danelle Tucker
by Coach Valerie Dantzler

When I think about excelling in the classroom and in athletics, one name comes to mind: Danelle Tucker.  Danelle understands that practice and studying go hand-in-hand.  She maintains a 3.5 grade point average academically. She’s quite a role model for her peers. 

In athletics, Danelle is a three-year letterman in track for the Lady Grangers.  She has really improved from her first years.  Her first two years as a runner were rough because she was learning, but with more practice and learning, Danelle has emerged into a dynamic runner.

I have coached Danelle during her junior year at LHS, and I have witnessed her continued level of dedication and commitment to her education and athletics.  Danelle has set high goals for the future, and I have no doubt that she will reach them.  She works for the grades she earns and athletic superiority, and she is determined to be as much of a success in college as she has been in high school. 

Without a doubt, Danelle is a genuine person.  She sets a wonderful example for others with her positive attitude and giving spirit.  She is highly involved in our school community; she is a member of the LHS track team, the Grangerettes and the step team. She currently serves as captains of all. She is enthusiastic and cheerful as a rule, but she is quiet and composed when the situation dictates.  She is a true lady at all times.

Danelle is respected by both her teachers and her peers, and her personal character is beyond reproach. Also, she was rewarded as a junior LHS top runner and Region 2-AAA 100-meter dash champ and an appearance at the state track meet.  She loves being involved in activities, and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Danelle is a beautiful young woman with a bright future in clear focus. I have truly enjoyed coaching her and being a part of her success as a student and athlete. I look forward to coaching her this year and watching her develop into the fine student athlete that will represent LaGrange High.