Alexander Central High School head softball coach Monte Sherrill has been named the National Softball Coach of the Year by MaxPreps.
Sherrill led his team to a perfect 35-0 record and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 4-A softball championship. Alexander Cetnral was actually ranked second nationally to Amador Valley of California in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 final rankings.
According to MaxPreps, "This season was so rewarding because we learned to win in a different style," said Sherrill, 49. "Before, we had Chelsea Wilkinson (Georgia All-American in 2014) and she struck out two of every three batters. She graduated and we had to invent a new style of play – more emphasis on defense, hitting, pick-off plays and baserunning.
"Our baserunning was something to behold," said Sherrill, who has guided Central to four state titles in the last six seasons. "Our baserunning put us on another level."
Alexander Central, which set an NCHSAA state record for runs scored (426), will enter the 2015 season riding a 67-game winning streak.
On March 27, Sherrill recorded his 700th win (against just 59 losses). His next coaching victory will be his 722nd.
Sherrill noted that "this team was all about AC (Alexander Central). I am so proud of our two pitchers, Kiana Millsaps and Bailey Rhoney, who shared time without any ego. They worked together and supported one another. It was special to be a part of."
In addition, Sherrill got to share the 2014 season with daughters Bailey Sherrill and Vada Sherrill. Bailey, a senior, earned the MVP award at the state tournament, and Vada, a junior, was the North Carolina Gatorade State Player of the Year.
