HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: Alexander Central’s Adkins retires from coaching

HobbsDailyReport.com

TAYLORSVILLE – Darrell Adkins, who guided Alexander Central High to its 10th girls’ softball state championship last season, is retiring from coaching.

School officials announced Adkins’ decision on Friday in a press release.

Adkins took over as Cougars head coach in the summer of 2015 after Monte Sherrill — now head women’s softball coach at Pfeiffer University — retired from high school coaching. Adkins spent seven seasons as an assistant coach for Sherrill at Alexander Central.

“Retiring from coaching is a big step,” Adkins said in the press release. “I have always been in and around sports in Alexander County, beginning as a player at AC and later as an assistant coach and finally as a head coach.

“My first thought looking back is that my wife and family have been very supportive of all my coaching responsibilities with the long hours of practice and long days for the games. Coaching is truly a family commitment.

“I would like to thank the school administration for giving me the opportunity to lead a program with a tradition of excellence, our rich history of hard work, dedication and game preparation is unmatched in the state.

“I would also like to thank the parents and the loyal fans for believing and supporting our coaches and players.  Looking into the stands at UNC-Greensboro, at the NCHSAA Softball State Championship, we had a sea of blue and gold. Words can’t express the encouragement and excitement our team, coaches and players felt.

“Lastly, I would like to thank the players who have touched my life. I will always remember the players, the plays made and the life changing moments we shared together.  I will remember all the hard work (and long hours) from our dedicated young players. I can only hope that our players will always believe in themselves as much as I believe in them.”

Alexander Central went 79-14 in Adkins’ three seasons as head coach, winning at least 25 games each season.

Adkins coached various sports for Alexander County Schools at both East Alexander Middle School and Alexander Central High.

The Cougars won last season’s state 3A title after going 12-2 in the Northwestern 3A-4A and finishing second, by one game, to South Caldwell.

In the postseason, Alexander Central was the West No. 3 seed and beat North Gaston, South Iredell, Crest and Cox Mill before downing Carson 5-4 and 20-8 in a best-of-3 series for the West 3A title.

The Cougars beat Cleveland 2-0 and 6-4 in 11 innings in a best-of-3 state title series played at UNC Greensboro to finish the season 27-5.

Alexander Central athletic director Joanna Crew said: “The ACHS Athletic Department wishes to extend a public thank you to Coach Darrell Adkins for his many years of service to the young women involved in our first-class softball program.

“Coach Adkins has worked tirelessly and concluded an exemplary coaching career with a NCHSAA 3A state softball championship. Our entire community is proud of his work with the student athletes of Alexander County.”

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