HUMBOLDT — Kady Hart wasn’t about to let the loss of her junior year of high school softball slow her upward trajectory.
The Humboldt High senior, who still has yet to play at the high school varsity level, signed a letter of intent this week to play collegiately at Neosho County Community College.
Hart earned the scholarship offer on the heels of a tryout at Neosho in November.
Her talent on the diamond makes it easy to see why Panther coaches were enamored with Hart, noted Brady Piley, HHS softball coach.
“Definitely her hitting, and her defense” are among Hart’s strengths, Piley said. “She can track down fly balls very well.”
Hart’s junior campaign — as well as all high school spring sports — was called off last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nevertheless, Hart continued to hone her skills over the past year with ICT Phoenix, a Wichita-based traveling softball team.
She cited her affinity for Neosho’s coaching staff and the school’s facilities.
“It’s close to home, and it seemed like the right fit,” she said.
But first, Hart will be one of the key contributors for the perennially powerful Humboldt High squad. Spring sports practices begin in March.
“She would have played a lot for us last year,” Piley said.
Joining Hart for her signing ceremony were her parents, David and Kaylee, and her younger sister, Kinley.
