By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
Having four All-State players says something about a softball team. And all three Brandywine selections and the head coach agree on what statement it makes.
Shoemaker is one of Brandywine's three seniors from last season to be invited to play Saturday in Michigan's All-Star Tournament at Michigan State. Third baseman Kayla Asmus and pitcher Nicki McGowen are the others.
The tournament is actually four games pitting teams comprised of the All-State selections from Michigan's four softball divisions against each other.
Not all the players made the First Team. While Shoemaker and McGownen made Division 3's top squad, Asmus was honorable mention. The game is only for seniors, however, and when one player can't attend the tournament, another is offered the slot.
McGowen, who may not attend the tournament because she is on a traveling softball team that plays away this weekend, said sending three players to the tournament shows Brandywine's toughness.
Bobcats' head coach Jim Myers, who coached the girls their entire high school careers, said Brandywine's success got the players the recognition.
Myers is the first to admit he is very demanding of his players. He expects nothing less than 100 percent from each member of the team, he said.
Asmus is so used to playing for Myers, she said, that she's nervous about playing for another coach on Saturday. Not nervous that a different coach will be to hard on her, but that he will be too easy.
The All-Staters arrive at East Lansing on Friday afternoon. They will have dinner, an orientation session, a team meeting, then it's straight to practice. The players will stay in the Michigan State dorms that night.
Brandywine's representatives play in the noon game. Both Asmus and Shoemaker said they are excited about the game, but added they were a little bit nervous.
Because the players will be staying and eating at MSU's dorms, and they get to keep their uniforms, participating in the tournament cost $70. The Brandywine Boosters Club picked up the tab, however, sponsoring Asmus and Shoemaker.
Myers said the Niles-Brandywine Girls' Softball Association has also sponsored players in the past.
Myers said Shoemaker earned her way onto the First Team with power-hitting. She led the Bobcats in RBIs and extra-base hits this past season, including four homeruns.
Shoemaker's play was especially impressive because 2004 was her first season at first base. She played catcher the past two years.
Asmus used defense to excel, Myers said. She could also play offense, hitting .306 with 10 extra-base hits.
In the four years the three tournament selections played at Brandywine, the Bobcats made it to three state championship games, winning the title in 2001 and finishing runner-up in 2003 and 2004.
All three players recognize and appreciate the success they have enjoyed at Brandywine, but all say Myers is one of the biggest reasons they have done so well.