Missouri Coaches Select 8 Diamond Stars As All-State
By Michael Boyd Jr.
herald sports editor
The state representatives of the head coaches for the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association and the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association recently announced their all-state teams for the 2022 spring sports season.
A total of eight local diamond stars – five softball and three baseball – were selected for either first or second teams.
All three baseball players were chosen for first team, while one softball athlete was picked to the first team.
ALL-STATE SOFTBALL
The MHSFCA chose softball sophomore shortstop Ade Weiler of Valle Catholic to the first team.
Second team selections for Valle were senior centerfielder Mia Weiler (Ade’s sister) and freshman pitching ace Abree Zipprich.
The Warriors, head coached by Kurt Basler, finished 18-5 overall to break the school record for most wins in a season. In the process, they won their first MAAA Conference seasonal championship and their first district championship, thus reaching the state quarterfinals for the first time.
Ste. Genevieve’s senior second baseman and home run leader Chloe Walker, and senior centerfielder Isabel “Izzy” Basler both were picked to the second team.
The Dragons, guided by first-year head coach and former NCAA Division I softball player Rebecca Keim, reached the district championship for the first time in school history. They also broke the program record for wins in a season with 17 wins.
ALL-STATE BASEBALL
The MHSBCA selected Ste. Genevieve junior center fielder Aiden Boyer, and Valle Catholic seniors Josh Bieser (catcher) and Aiden Heberlie (right field), all to the first team.
The Dragons finished 14-10 overall
The Warriors finished with the best record in the area at 25-7 overall.
ACADEMIC ALL-STATE
Both organizations aounced their academic all-state teams.
Valle’s softball finished with a team grade-point average of 3.62.
Mia Weiler, Ade Weiler, Macy Wolk, Ella Wolk, Kelsey Blum, Rylee Overman and Abree Zipprich all were selected.
Also, Valle baseball’s Chase Fallert also earned academic all-state.