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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Graham Leader recognizes Tiffany Cotter as this week’s Athlete of the Week. Cotter made a statement in the Lady Blues’ home opener with a 12-strikeout complete game win. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Graham Leader recognizes Caleb Chandler as this week’s Athlete of the Week. Chandler will be a key reinforcement for the Steers as they enter the playoffs.
It’s a turning point in the Graham community as spring sports kick off.
The Graham Leader is recognizing Tiffany Cotter of the Lady Blues and Caleb Chandler of the Steers as this week’s Athletes of the Week.
Tiffany Cotter, Lady Blues Softball
The Lady Blues have officially kicked off softball season and after a weekend tournament, traveled back home to Graham for their home opener against the Alvord Lady Bulldogs.
Head coach Adam Arrington said after the tournament in Lubbock he was looking for the team to show more confidence in the batter’s box while also making routine plays consistently to garner sustained success as the season progressed.
The Lady Blues answered the call against Alvord with a dominant 9-1 victory and Cotter set the tone on the pitchers mound with a shutdown performance.
Cotter looked in control for much of the game, pitching all seven innings and giving up zero earned runs while striking out 12 batters.
The lone run surrendered in the game for the Lady Blues came in the second inning on a throwing error.
Arrington commented on Cotter’s command after the game.
“I thought from start to end today she knew where her strike zone was and she did a good job finding it and battled through,” Arrington said. “Honestly the last couple of innings there I thought she was throwing harder at the end of the game than the start of the game.”
The Lady Blues have three different starting pitchers this season and with Cotter, the team was off to a strong start.
Caleb Chandler, Steers Basketball
While the final game of the season for the Steers against Stephenville didn’t go the way the team wanted in a 62-36 loss, there is still a lot for the team to be excited for going forward.
The Steers already clinched their ticket to the postseason with a win over Mineral Wells on senior night Tuesday, Feb. 10.
As the team looks forward to postseason play, they will need to be at the top of their game and will be getting reinforcements going into the postseason.
It’s common for Graham to call up certain players from the junior varsity levels and Chandler has been one of those call ups throughout district play.
One of the key strengths that Chandler has provided to the Steers during his time is in the scoring department.
He has been a sharp perimeter scorer with a smooth shooting form and will be a much needed piece of the potential playoff run.
The Steers playoff opener will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24 at Clyde High School against Lakeview.
