Karly Thompson feels she is in the right place at the right time to lead the Lady Raider softball program.
Thompson takes over for Bill Bradley, who stepped aside to focus on basketball. She played at Fannin County and recently coached at Washington County.
“I’m happy to be a little closer to family, and I love it here in Habersham County,” Thompson said. “When I got here, I knew this was absolutely perfect and this is where I wanted to be.”
The Lady Raiders finished 13-16 last season and are young heading into the new campaign, which began against Franklin County on Tuesday night after press time.
Habersham has four seniors – P/1B Emma Forster, 3B Joni Littlejohn, SS/C Jayden Thomas and CF Bailey Barfield - along with two juniors, eight sophomores and three freshmen.
“We’re young and we’re in a new regional alignment,” Thompson said. “And I haven’t seen a lot of these schools from where I played or where I coached before, but I know what we have. We’re competitive, and I think we can contend to be on top of the region.”
WIth varsity doubleheaders used in regional play this year, the Lady Raiders will likely use both Forster and Hannah Odum in the circle during both games on a given day.
“In the summer games, that has given teams different looks and it’s kept hitters off balance,” Thompson said. “It’s been effective so far.”
The Lady Raiders play at White County at 6 p.m. Thursday.