New head coach to rely on experienced Lady Pilots

Altough the Fulton County Lady Pilots will enter the season with a new head coach, Delaynee Cermak, who will be entering her first year as a head coach, she will be able to rely on four seniors, Arieyanna Cox, Natasha Hill, Jamecia McFarland, and McKenzie Smith, and two juniors, Makalyn Cranick and Kylee Hammond, to lead the way and look to improve from last year’s 3-13 squad. Those four seniors and two juniors are among 10 returning players from last season.

Also on the team are one sophomore, Myiel Sims; three freshmen, Jadence Alexander, Emmarie Cermak, and Jade Thorpe; one eighth grader, Mary Williams; and one seven grader, Zoie Somerfield.

Rounding out Cermak’s coaching staff is her assistanct coach, JJ Eddlemon, and also Cory Sims and Brook Cermak, who will provide voluntary help.

When asked who she expects to take on a leadership role, Cermak said, “My biggest leaders on the team are Arieyanna Cox, McKenzie Smith and Kylee Hammond. These girls put in great effort and work. They are always encouraging their teammates!”

Coach Cermak expects to have some “diamonds in the rough” on this year’s squad, when asked who was the best players at each poisiton. “I have a lot of hidden talent on my team. So far, my best pitcher is McKenzie Smith. Hitter, Mylei Sims, in-fielder, Kylee Hammond, out-fielder, Arieyanna Cox,” she said.

While she thinks everyone on the schedule will be a tough opponent, Cermak put emphasis on the Lady Pilots’ First District foes.

“Our biggest assets this year is the hard work my girls are putting in. They are determined to improve themselves and our team! Our biggest challenge this year is probably the size of our team. We don’t have much to work with, but we are determined to make a difference,” she said.

Looking ahead in terms of goals for this year’s team, Cermak said, “My goals for the year are to teach the girls to love the game, show them what it’s all about. We have a lot of young girls this year, I want us the end the season better than we started. I want these girls to enjoy themselves and learn something!”

It’s been a hectic start to the season even before the team takes the field, as Cermak described. “It’s been a rocky start to the season, I wasn’t hired on until the third week of February and missed the next week due to a work conference. We have a lot of talent on the team. And these girls want to do good and work hard. I am excited for the season, and I cannot wait to try and build this program!’ she said.