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Recognized for her work ethic and long, intense practices, Delaughter believes in fundamentals, especially defense. "Hard work is what it takes. The seniors have been with me for six years. They gave us a lot of leadership and they will be missed."
Loyd Star's four seniors are catcher Haley Sones, third baseman Brittany Beeson, first baseman Brittany Wallace and centerfielder Calleye Douglas. Beeson and Sones have signed scholarships with Copiah-Lincoln Community College.
She will have several talented starters returning, among them all-state second baseman Carrie Moak and pitcher Brooke Delaughter. Other returning starters are rightfielder Emily Smith, leftfielder Karah Smith, designated player Natalie Keene and shortstop Sarah Falvey.
Loyd Star discontinued slowpitch six years ago and chose to concentrate on fastpitch. The results have been rewarding. Fastpitch demands more concentration and skills similar to baseball.
Delaughter said she was fascinated by the intricacies of fastpitch. "It's an exciting game of strategies. There are a lot of different things a player can do."
She became interested in it while watching her son, Matthew, play Dixie Youth Baseball.
Loyd Star's girls accepted the fastpitch style promoted by their coach. "They embraced it. We worked on a lot of drills. We also lifted weights in the fall and worked on agility drills."
Delaughter said summer league fastpitch was important to the future success of the high school program. "You can start at eight years old. There are a lot of skills you have to learn."
Her own daughter, Brooke, has excelled as a pitcher, earning the DL's Player of the Year moniker as a junior. She takes private pitching lessons from an instructor in Clinton.
A 1979 Loyd Star graduate, Delaughter was a left-handed basketball guard in high school and she excelled in softball, too. She played basketball at Co-Lin and graduated from Southern Miss with a degree in mathematics. She is currently working on a master's degree in secondary education from William Carey University.
Janet Taylor, a former Franklin County star, serves as Delaughter's assistant. "Janet is a valuable asset to our program," said Delaughter. "We go to the Easton Fastpitch Clinic every fall."
The Loyd Star community provides tremendous support for the school's athletic program. The Lady Hornets have a new field, complete with brick dugouts, a concession stand and press box. Many advertisement signs cover the outfield fence.
At the recent state tournament, Loyd Star had a large following. A sea of red-shirted fans surrounded the field at Freedom Ridge Park and cheered their team to victory.
Delaughter said Loyd Star had the most support of the 10 teams involved in the 5-classification finals. She said Loyd Star athletic director Billy Vaughn had a conversation with MHSAA Executive Director Dr. Ennis Proctor during the 2-day tournament.
"Dr. Proctor told Coach Vaughn that Loyd Star probably brought the most fans," said Delaughter. "I appreciate their support and the support we receive from other teachers and the administration."
Her mother, Irma, and late father, Prentiss Smith, always provided their daughter with lots of encouragement when she was playing and coaching sports. "My mother is one of Brooke's biggest fans."
Delaughter's son, Matthew is a ministerial student at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tenn. He was a standout baseball and football player at Loyd Star and signed a football scholarship with Co-Lin.
Delaughter and her family attend Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
