Shiloh Athletic Association's Angels All-Star 8U Team Wins Championships

The Shiloh Athletic Association's Angels All-Star team brought home two championship trophies this season.

The team, led by head coach Charlie Walker and assistant coaches Juan Quero, George Brown, Brooke Smith and Reuben Phillips, was made up of ten girls chosen from two separate 8U teams for their skill displayed during the regular season.

“We have girls on the team who didn't think they could hit a ball,” said Coach Walker. “We work with everybody. We get their confidence up and their skills up.”

In their first game at the South Gwinnett Summer Classic Tournament on June 3, they had a 7-1 record over two days. In order to clinch the championship over Buford's all-star team, they had to win six games in one day.

They succeeded.

On June 10, they brought home their second championship trophy from the pre Tri-County tournament, where they faced teams from Walton County, Norcross and Peachtree Ridge. They won four straight games to win this tournament.

Krystal Cox, mother of 8-year-old team member Brianna Cox, has attended nearly every game this season. Her daughter, who attends school at Rosebud Elementary, was initially a very shy little girl, she said, but has made great friends at the park. They consider the team to be their “softball family.”

“This helps our family be active and involved,” she said.

Her youngest child is waiting for the day that he is old enough to play ball.

“I really wanted to make a difference in my community,” said Coach Walker. “It wasn't just about my daughter, but all the girls.”

His daughter, Kelsie Walker, plays on the all-star team as well.

“My passion is to work with the girls who have never seen a softball before,” he added, “and build up their confidence.”

Coach Walker hopes to lead them to State.  

Congratulations to team members Lauryn Peppers, Kennedy Broughton, Aaliyah Smith, Brianna Cox, Kiriah Lovett, Kelsie Walker, Awtum Lewis, Imani Washington, Tahjanee Phillips, and Lidia Quero.