Kennett Lady Indians produce Bootheel Conference Coach of the Year, Player of the Year

KENNETT, Mo. - The Lady Indians softball team and its coach have more to celebrate than runner-up at state.

Kennett High School softball fourth-year head coach Logan Dollins was voted Bootheel Conference Coach of the Year.

And Lady Indians pitching ace, junior Handley McAtee was chosen Bootheel Conference Player of the Year.

Kennett Lady Indians ace pitcher and utility player Handley McAtee at bat. McAtee was voted Bootheel Conference Player of the Year.Photo by Steve Hankins

Dollins' leadership was evident as he coached the Lady Indians to a 25-9 season, capped by a runner-up finish at the MSHSAA Class 2 State Finals at Springfield.

“I’m just so proud and thankful for (our players),” Dollins told semoball's Tom Davis after the squad's performance at state. “It was a great season on our part.”

Kennett High School Athletic Director Jim Vaughan heaped praise on his softball coach and said Dollins' selfless nature rubs off on his team.

Bootheel Conference Player of the Year, Kennett Lady Indians' Handley McAtee in the circle at state.Photo by Tom Davis.

“Logan Dollins is mature before his age in the coaching world,” Vaughan said. “He’s a consummate professional and as classy of a person as anyone will find.

“He’s demanding of those who play for him, but also their biggest fan,” the AD continued. “He only wants for every kid under his tutelage to succeed on any level they can. You won’t find a better one than Coach Dollins.”

Truer words were spoken rarely. Dollins shakes off accolades and shifts those conversations humbly toward his Lady Indians.

Kennett Lady Indians catcher Emma Tinnin behind the dish at the MSHSAA C2 Final game at Springfield.Photo by Tom Davis.

Dollins pointed to McAtee as a fire-breather with a cannon arm who can do it all both offensively and defensively.

“She played four infield positions and pitched us to the state championship game,” Dollins said Thursday. “You won’t see a better work ethic out of a player.”

McAtee also excels at tennis and concluded that season with an unbeaten 13-0 singles record.

Kennet Lady Indian Hadley Wilson encourages her teammates at state. Wilson signed a national letter of intent to play for Missouri State University at West Plains.Photo by Tom Davis.

But her athleticism might be most noticeable on the diamond. McAtee was instrumental in the team's success as she blazed through the season in the circle and was just as deadly at the plate.

“(McAtee) also beat the single-season hits record with 78,” he said. “And the doubles record with 27. Handley did it all this season.”

Indeed. Over just two days at state, McAtee threw 15 innings and nearly 250 pitches. She went two-for-four at the plate and scored two runs.

A bittersweet moment at state finds Bootheel Conference Coach of the Year Logan Dollins hugging senior Hadley Wilson at the Killian Sports Complex at Springfield. Wilson concluded her high school career with school record-setting 199 RBIs and 210 hits for the Lady Indians.Photo by Tom Davis.

“(McAtee) kept us in the ball games all year,” Dollins said. “A lot of people don’t know this about Handley, but she is a workhorse.”

In addition, Dollins coached a number of players who joined an elite group of All-Conference, All-District and All-Region athletes.

They are:

Kennett Lady Indian Lauren Barton at the MSHSAA C2 Final game at Springfield.Photo by Tom Davis.

Hadley Wilson - First Team All-Conference, All-District, All-Region. Wilson, a senior finished her career at Kennett with 199 RBI’s and 210 hits. In addition, Wilson signed a national letter of intent to play for Missouri State University at West Plains. She begins her collegiate student-athlete career in August.

“Hadley was a hitting machine throughout her entire career,” Dollins said. “She drove in 62 runs for us this year and is a great leader for our team.”

Emma Tinnin - First Team All-Conference, All-District, All-Region. A junior, Tinnin's catching skills are on point and her senior year should be a dandy for the Lady Indians.

Kennett's Lauren Barton shows bunt at a regular season game.Photo by Steve Hankins

“Emma did a great job behind the plate this year,” Dollins said. “She has grown as a catcher from last year to this year. She hit for power and average for us.”

Lauren Barton - First Team All-Conference, All-District, Second Team All-Region. Barton a junior, is exciting to watch and takes no prisoners in left field.

“Lauren was a great 2-hole hitter for us,” Dollins said. “She found ways to get on base and could move runners around to allow the heart of lineup to drive them in. She was a tough out and did a great job in the outfield for us.”

Lady Indian Emma Claire Bodkin prepares to bat at a regular season game at Indian Park.Photo by Steve Hankins

Emma Claire Bodkin - First Team All-District. A junior, Barton's sacrifice bunt at the C2D1 Tournament against East Prairie aided the Lady Indians' ascent to the state Final Four.

“Emma Claire played third base and pitched for us,” Dollins said. “She did a great job on the infield for us, and I am proud of the way she competed throughout a grind of a season!”

Avery Payne - First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-District. In her debut season at Kennett, Payne was a solid performer at the dish and posted a hit at the state tournament. Her game is forecasted to go gold in coming years.

Kennett Lady Indian Avery Payne swings for the cheap seats at the MSHSAA C2 Semifinal game at Springfield.Photo by Tom Davis.

“Avery had a great freshman season this year,” Dollins noted. “She had the third-highest batting average on our team.”

Kynsly McCaig- Second Team All-District. McCaig, a sophomore, transitioned from second base to shortstop where she excelled at stopping the ball.

“Kynsly did a great job through the year,” Dollins emphasized. “She has a great work ethic and will continue to grow as a player in our program!”

Lady Indians senior Kaydee Taylor is honored on Senior Night at Indian Park. Photo by Steve Hankins

While Kennett enjoyed a championship season, the team graduates just two seniors, Wilson and the incredibly athletic Kaydee Taylor.

With his roster chock full of veterans and a new crop of incoming talent, Dollins' Lady Indians are building a powerhouse, championship dynasty.