By Brad Greer

Having won only four games last season, the North Delta fast pitch softball team was looking for a shot in the arm heading into the 2019 campaign and they hope they’ve found that with the hiring of a new coach and assistants.

After an extensive search, the Green Wave hired former Tunica Academy frontman Chad Kelly as the new softball and baseball head coach.

Kelly replaces Rachel Daniels who served one year at the Lady Green Wave helm.

North Delta returns a youthful squad with only two seniors doting the roster. The Lady Wave however to return a number of starters that gained varsity experience last season that include juniors Sydney Talley, Griffin Rico and Milly Clark along with sophomore Breck Brewer and eighth grader Paizlee Woods.

“One of the first things I noticed when I got here is the potential these young ladies posses. Naturally we have a lot of work to do, but in the last couple of year’s this program has been headed in the right direction despite them being so young and that’s something I want to continue to help them build on,” said Kelly.

North Delta opens up the season at home July 29 against West Memphis, Ark., before visiting Carroll Academy the following day.

The Lady Wave will compete in District 1-3A with Clarksdale Lee Academy, Kirk, Marshall and Macon Road Baptist of Memphis.

“The maturity process is going to be the key. I’ve got to learn from them and vis versa. I think with kids today one of the most important things they can do is be mature and open-minded about things. Like the old saying goes you have to trust the process and go out there and grind every day,” said Kelly.

“They’ve got to understand we’re here as a team for a greater purpose and that is not just to build a program but a winning program and that is what we are planning to do. It’s not going to happen over one or two games but like I said if they trust the process and go all in 110 percent good things are bound to happen,” said Kelly.

Assistant coaches are Shannon Holland, Lee Rico and Nicole Fullilove.