Rhea County Softball Coach Randy Mathis Reflects on Lost Season

April 29, 2020 Evensville, TN --  Rhea County High School softball coach Randy Mathis was excited about the 2020 softball season and team was just one game into regular season when spring sports were postponed and later cancelled.  Coach Randy Mathis was very excited about the 2020 season and three seniors, Keeley Hickman, Brooke Tidwell and Makenle Campbell were ready to play their last season together. Coach Randy Mathis, who took over the Lady Eagle program back in 2018. Randy also coaches the Spring City Middle School softball team in the fall. He has coached there since 2013.  Randy has coached summer league travel ball for 12 years. Randy offered some insight to the 2020 softball season that quickly ended with the Covid-19 shutdown of high school sports. "I have definitely had mixed feelings about this season and have questioned how this has happened. Our 2019-2020 team was loaded with so much talent!" "There wasn’t a girl on our team who couldn’t start for most high school teams in this state. I really hate this the most for our three seniors. These three ladies have continuously displayed heart, passion, talent, and leadership. I want them to know that they will be remembered as more than just the girls that didn’t get a season." "They have taught their teammates more than just the game of softball with their senior leadership. They have left lasting, unforgettable, and simply wonderful memories for me that I will always cherish. I have had to have hard talks with each of them as their coach, their mentor, their disciplinarian, and now as their friend." "I’ve always told my players to never take anything for granted and tried to remind them that we aren’t promised anything.  I have encouraged them to play each second as if it is their last and to never regret anything.  I want them to leave it all out there on the field.  I hope my three seniors will always trust in their faith.  I want them to know that no matter what they are going through, God will get them through it! I will miss their smiles everyday, and I hope I have left a lasting impression on each one of them!" "I love each one of them and always want them to remember to be the role model God has called them to be!" 🥎 Keeley Hickman # 00 🥎 Brooke Tidwell # 6 🥎 Makenle Campbell # 34.