This season was the first time since 2016 Centralia made it to a state championship game and had several first-timers leading the way.

The runner-up Lady Panthers had three named Class 3 all-state each for the first time, including Jaylynn Brown as a first team pitcher, Madi Johnson as a first team infielder and Cora King as a second team infielder. Brown was the Clarence Cannon Conference player of the year and a unanimous first team pitcher, all-state tournament team member, first team all-district and first team all-region; Johnson and King were each unanimous first team all-conference infielders and first team all-district and first team all-region and King was an all-state tournament team member; Ealynne Bostick was a first team all-conference catcher, first team all-district at-large and a member of the state tournament team; Kassena Ridgel was a first team all-conference and all-district outfielder and second team all-region; Tilly Fox was a second team all-conference and all-district outfielder; Bailey Schuering was second team all-conference utility and second team all-district infielder; and Claire Page was an honorable mention all-district infielder.

Head coach Liz Bostick was named the conference coach of the year in the 29-4 season for Centralia, matching its win total from 2016 and tying the school record. The Lady Panthers tied the school season RBI record with 211.

Brown set school records such as strikeouts in a game with 19, strikeouts in a season with 331 and tied the wins in a season with 24. She pitched Centralia to 16 shutout victories and five no-hitters and finished with a 0.55 ERA, 0.58 WHIP, .093 batting average against, 48 hits, 41 walks and a 24-2 record in 154 innings.  She added five home runs, 26 RBI and 20 runs at the plate and a .966 fielding percentage on defense.

"She was the backbone of our team fighting with grit and perseverance throughout the entire season," Bostick said. "She is a humble kid with outstanding character and her passion and drive for softball is matched by few others."

Johnson led the team with 10 home runs, 42 RBI, 21 stolen bases, 23 walks, six strikeouts (in 95 at-bats), a .484 batting average, a .582 on-base percentage and a .937 slugging percentage. 

"One of the most consistent hitters we've had at Centralia," Bostick said. "She understands the privilege that it is to play the sport of softball, has a passion for it that drives her to continually work day in day out and is a recent Missouri State commit."

King was behind her with a .479 average, .544 on-base, .813 slugging, four home runs and 39 RBI but ahead of Johnson by one with 14 doubles. Johnson had a .927 fielding percentage, and King had a .969 fielding percentage. King also played 57 1/3 innings at catcher, tying the school record for caught stealing percentage in a season at 50 percent.

"She was a leader for our team at third baseman," Bostick said. "She had a consistent batting average that helped us win games and led in team morale."

Brown, Johnson and King were each members of the NEMO Pressbox All-Star team.

Bostick owned a .380 average, .438 on-base and .560 slugging, 21 RBI, seven doubles and a team-high four triples. She led the team with a 1.000 fielding percentage in 269 total chances, catching 44.44 baserunners trying to steal in 134⅔ innings at catcher.

"She was Jaylynn's encourager behind the plate, working hard to help her get strike calls and easing motions when tensions were high," Bostick said. "She always came to the plate with a purpose whether it was to simply move a runner or get on base. She had eight RBI in postseason play that helped our team advance. "

In the outfield, Ridgel had a .356 average, .420 on-base, 23 runs scored, 10 RBI and an .885 fielding percentage. 

"She is a solid defensive player in the outfield," Bostick said. "She had a game-saving catch in the quarterfinal game against Winfield. She is a compassionate player that picks her teammates up."

Fox had a .351 average, .435 on-base, 32 runs, 18 RBI, eight stolen bases, and a .800 fielding percentage.

"She was a senior leader was strong in the outfield and worked hard at the plate to get on base for the team," Bostick said.

In the infield, Schuering had a .347 average, .380 on-base, .463 slugging, 26 RBI, 20 runs, four doubles and a .955 fielding percentage.

"She was a team leader by example, hardworker who had good hands at first base and was 2-for-3 in the state championship game," Bostick said. 

Page finished with a .348 average, .408 on-base, 24 runs, 10 RBI, 13 stolen bases, 10 strikeouts in 32 games and a .945 fielding percentage.

"She is a second baseman who had great range and came up with clutch plays when needed," Bostick said. "She is strong at the plate and could put the ball in play and beat out the throw and had few strikeouts for the season."