By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director

CENTRE – Cherokee County High School senior softball players Abby Lea, Lanie Williams and Grayson Tucker have been friends with each other since they were children. Their love for the sport of softball has been at the heart of their bond.

Lea said it was a dream of theirs to one day be sitting in the Warrior gym signing scholarships together, and on Tuesday morning, that dream became a reality.

Lea signed with upstart Northeast Alabama Community College in Rainsville as a utility player. Williams, a catcher, inked with Gadsden State. Tucker, mainly a first baseman, made her declaration for Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City.

“It really is a dream come true,” Lea said. “I really am glad we get to do this together.”

Williams said catching Lea from behind the plate has helped her improve her skills.

“Being a battery together has made our bond stronger. We’re always practicing and working together. It’s definitely made us stronger.”

Tucker said she wouldn’t have been able to sign at the next level had it not been for Lea and Williams.

“I couldn’t have done it without these two girls. They’ve always had my back. We actually play travel ball together and have basically all our lives. It’s been a constant grind.”

That grind has helped turn the Lady Warriors back into a Class 4A state championship contender.

As a center fielder/pitcher for the Lady Warriors (30-16) last season, Lea batted .415 with 12 doubles, seven triples, 20 walks, 47 runs and 31 RBIs. She was also 10-2 with four saves in the circle with a 1.65 ERA and 98 strikeouts.

Williams batted .396 with four home runs and 47 RBIs. She also had a .996 fielding percentage.

Tucker tallied a .359 batting average with six homers, 14 doubles, eight triples, 20 walks, 31 runs and 48 RBIs for the Lady Warriors last season.

“Taking over the program when they were in the seventh grade, I knew this was going to be a special senior group,” Lady Warrior softball coach Brad Weaver said. “I’m glad these (community college) coaches gave them a chance, went out on a limb to give them what they want. They’ve worked their tails off for me so I’m sure it will be no different in college.”

Weaver said Lea was one of the first names he heard about when he first took the Lady Warrior softball job. He said the stories he heard about turned out to be true.

“She’s a leader,” Weaver said. “She’s helped this team out tremendously. She’s the first one to practice and the last one to leave. She’s always wanting to do the extra work it takes. She plays ball year around. That’s what she lives and breathes. I’m so glad to see she’s fulfilling her dreams.”

Weaver said he knew of Williams through her parents and older sisters, Emily and Aubrie.

“She’s been my only catcher since her sophomore year,” Weaver said. “There might’ve been five innings in her whole career where she hasn’t caught, and she can absolutely crush a ball.  She’s a hard worker. She’s tough. She won’t tell you when she’s hurting because she hurts all the time. She just fights through it all.”

Weaver said “it’s the same thing with Grayson.”

“She’s a power hitter, such a great athlete who’s also played a lot of summer ball,” he said. “All three of these young ladies are just great leaders who have turned this program back to where it needs to be. When these girls got here in seventh grade it wasn’t where it needed to be, but we’re headed in the right direction now.”

The leadership that Lea, Williams and Tucker have demonstrated is the legacy they’ll leave behind, Weaver said.

“We’ve got some young girls who are looking up to them. Hopefully they can fill their shoes and be a part of this one day.”

But this day belonged exclusively to this Lady Warrior trio.

“We’ve been playing with each other since we were six or seven. We’ve grown up together, played together, and now that we’ve accomplished this goal it’s really special,” Tucker said.

“I hope one day they can fill our spots and keep this program going strong,” Williams said. “I’m just ready for my senior season with my buddies I’ve grown up with and played softball with. I’m glad I get to play one more season with them then go off to college.”