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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Jaycee Quinn became the fourth player in Verbena High School softball history to be chosen to the North-South All-Star Game joining Emily Smith, Erica Garner and Kala Moore. Quinn was named one of 18 2024 rising seniors on the South Team for the 2023 North-South All-Star Softball Game in Montgomery on July 19.

Quinn, who has been a juggernaut for the Red Devils at the plate and in the circle the last few years, was not sure what the news was when coach Geoffery Lockhart called her into his office near the end of the school year. She had an idea it was the invitation, but being a 1A player, she was not sure.

“It was happy and really excited about it,” Quinn said. “I was not thinking that, but I was very shocked I was chosen because I am at a 1A school.”

Quinn said she was blessed to receive the invitation and it not only helps the softball program in the long run, but all of the athletic programs at Verbena. Seeing her be able to achieve such a high honor in athletics at the Class 1A school, Quinn hopes it trickles down to the other sports on the campus.

“We are at Verbena, but we can still do something like that,” Quinn said. “I hope this draws more attention to Verbena … And it gives the other sports motivation to want to put themselves out there, be seen and get better.”

Lockhart agrees that this honor will help all of the Verbena athletes in seeing that their goals in high school athletics are possible.

“For a tiny small school, it is huge to see athletes succeed,” Lockhart said. “Jaycee has shown that with the right work ethic you can back progress and get seen by higher level coaches and scouts.”

In 2023, Quinn batted a resounding .599 and launched 12 home runs. As a pitcher, she recorded 302 strikeouts and pitched virtually every game for Verbena. Lockhart said aside from her production on both sides, Quinn is a perfectionist. She gives 100% in everything that she does and does it the right way.

When asked, Quinn agreed with Lockhart. If something is not perfect she is hard on herself internally, but she will not show it on the outside. It has always been in her nature in everything she does to be perfect, not just in softball. However, she said it is a good thing because it gives her a drive to want to get better in everything she does.

“It is a huge deal, ” Lockhart said. “It is a huge accomplishment, it shows how much she has worked throughout her career. It is awesome to see her hard work and dedication pay off.”

Quinn said she is excited to see some of the players she has met in the past and ready to be immersed in the softball environment again after a few months off following the 2023 high school season.

“I am just blessed to be able to say I did it,” Quinn said. “I feel really accomplished and proud of myself for getting (the invitation).”

The North-South All-Star Softball Game is at Lagoon Park in Montgomery on July 19. The North Team swept the doubleheader last year 6-3 and 10-5, and they also hold the lead in the all-time series at 29-23-3.