ALL-STARS: Reed Wondering What Might Have Been

By Allen Gregory
Sports Writer / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: July 1, 2008

HAMPTON, Va. — Barry Reed had visions of a storybook spring.

With Southwest Virginia Player of the Year Cassie Campbell returning for her senior season, the fiery Virginia High softball coach expected to challenge for a Group A state championship.

This script did not have a made-for-Disney climax, however.

After years of exhaustive preparation, Campbell was sidelined due to an injury midway through the season. She never returned to the circle and her collegiate future in softball remains cloudy.

While the Bearcats posted a 21-3 record and advanced to the state quarterfinals, Reed and his players were left to wonder what might have been.

“It was a heartbreaking situation for Cassie and her family,” Reed said. “She tore something in her back, probably at the first of the year. Then she pitched as long as she could.”

Naturally, Reed will have mixed emotions for Thursday’s Virginia High School Coaches Association All-Star softball game at Christopher Newport University in Newport News.

Reed will serve as an assistant for the West squad, the same West squad that his star pitcher was selected to play for.

“It’s bittersweet,” Reed said. “Cassie has worked so hard for this opportunity since third grade. I wish she could be on that field with me.”

As a junior, the powerful 5-foot-10 Campbell posted an 18-5 record and 0.63 earned run average. She also recorded over 200 strikeouts.

“And Cassie was throwing even better this season,” Reed said. “In fact, she won all five of the games she pitched without giving up a single run.”

That 5-0 record included a 3-0 shutout over a Knox Farragut team that advanced to the final four of the Class AAAA playoffs in Tennessee.

The Farragut victory came in the talent-stocked Region 2 Challenge in Knoxville.

“We beat a good Maryville team in the finals to become the first school outside of Knoxville to win the tournament,” Reed said. “With Cassie and Lannie Johnston in the circle, we really felt like we were in position to win state.”

Johnston earned Clinch Mountain District Pitcher of the Year honors, posting a 16-3 record with an 0.81 ERA and 138 strikeouts.

With senior shortstop Aubree Hutt (.487, 19 stolen bases) emerging as the CMD’s best overall player, the Bearcats earned their fourth straight regular season and tournament sweep. VHS also captured the Region D championship with a 3-1 win over Coeburn.

“I was really proud with how the girls responded to the injury, especially when you consider Cassie was also one of the top hitters in Southwest Virginia,” Reed said.

Reed has been selected to coach in the VHSCA all-star games four times, including twice in basketball.

“It’s always a great honor to represent your school with the best coaches and athletes in the state,” Reed said. “A lot of the credit goes to our athletes.

“I feel we have established Virginia High among the top girls basketball and softball programs in the state.”

Reed, who doubles as the VHS athletic director, said he is equally proud of the performance of his entire athletic program. The Bearcats won a total of eight district and seven regional titles this past season.

“Any athletic director would be proud of that,” Reed said.

Tazewell outfielder Tiffany Harris and Richlands shortstop Jenny Keene will represent Southwest Virginia in the softball game.

Reed just wishes he had more company in Newport News.

Through extra work in camps, travel teams and weightlifting sessions, Campbell had elevated her fastball into the 63-mile per hour range.

“That’s an impressive fastball, plus Cassie had really worked on her changeup and riseball,” Reed said. “Cassie was almost impossible to hit.

“Before the injury, Cassie had already broken the school record for strikeouts and she was closing in the all-time wins record set by Alana Thomas. You can see what she meant to our team.”

According to her coach, Campbell will begin rehab on her back in a couple months. Virginia Intermont heads the list of college suitors.

“Hopefully by December, we will know if Cassie will be to pitch again,” Reed said. “Again, it’s just unfortunate the way things turned out.”

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