Brantley's athletic tradition is known statewide. The Crenshaw County school has blue championship trophies in football, boys basketball, girls basketball and baseball.
The Bulldogs would like to add another blue trophy to their bulging trophy case and took a step in that direction on Thursday when their softball team won its first-ever contest in fast pitch softball.
"Brantley is known for a lot of different state championships, and we want it to be known for softball as well," said Brantley coach Cindy Hawthorne, who made the Bulldogs' last trip to the state tournament as a slow pitch team in the early 1990s. "That's what we're working for. The girls won it this year in basketball and six of my 15 were on that team so they know what winning is all about.
"We're just hoping to add to that collection of blue maps."
Brantley (39-10) beat top-ranked Sumiton Christian 4-1 in the opening round, then blasted Addison 12-2 in a five-inning contest in the second round, advancing to the finals of the winner's bracket against third-ranked Lynn at 9 a.m. today. A win would put the Bulldogs in the championship game.
"We weren't ranked the highest, we weren't supposed to win the games we have (won) today, we just came ready to play," said freshman Alex Wilcox. "I guess that's what it took."
It all starts with Wilcox, a freshman, in the circle but there is plenty of experienced talent around her. Wilcox is one of a handful of players who helped Brantley win a state championship in girls basketball just two months ago.
"We've got a lot of young girls that are stepping up in big spots right now and playing pretty good," Hawthorne said. "It starts in the circle with Alex Wilcox. Alex has worked really, really hard. She is a 12-month-out-of-the-year worker. She works really, really hard to be good at what she does."
Wilcox admitted she wasn't sure what to expect when Brantley arrived in Montgomery on Thursday morning.
"We've been so close the last three years," Wilcox said. "It feels great just to be able to have the opportunity here. I think we've got a great chance of winning it."
Senior Peyton Hill, a member of the championship basketball team, said that experience has helped the Bulldogs prepare for their first trip to Montgomery.
"I just think it's helped with the nerves," she said. "We've been here (at this level) in basketball before. But it's a totally different atmosphere. The bracket is different, but I think we can handle it. It just felt amazing to be able to be here today with all these great teams.
"I feel pretty good about (our chances). I hope we come out with a couple of 'W's' tomorrow."
