Niceville's Hensley named 5A softball Coach of the Year

By TRAVIS DOWNEY

Northwest Florida Daily News
315-4476 | travisd@nwfdailynews.com

The hits just keep on coming for the Niceville softball program and coach Danny Hensley.

On the heels of a stellar 2009 campaign, Hensley was named Class 5A's Coach of the Year on the Miracle Sports 2009 All-State Softball Team.

Hensley guided the Eagles to a 25-4 finish and the regional finals. It was his fifth postseason appearance in six years as Niceville's coach.

The Eagles also had several players honored. Infielder Kelly Hensley and outfielder Stephanie Hartness were named as first-team selections, while infielder Meagan Balding (second team) and pitcher Jessa Watts (third team) gave Niceville a quartet of representatives on the 2009 all-state teams. Only Chamberlain (three) had more players listed on the first team.

"Certainly it's an honor and it's a credit to our program," Hensley said. "That's the kind of recognition we've developed over the years by going out and competing at the highest level in the state. I've been fortunate to have a lot of good athletes come through here."

Hensley was recently named the All Sports Association/Daily News Coach of the Year for big schools (4A-5A) in the area after guiding the Eagles to a 13-1 record in District 1-5A play.

"The thing that really makes me grin is all four (who were honored) are coming back," Hensley said. "We're coming back with that energy and excitement knowing that we're not going to be satisfied with anything less than getting all the way (to the state championship) next year."

Choctawhatchee catcher Hannah Renn was named to the Miracle Sports' third team.