Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
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TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Tahlequah Heat won the ASA Class C, Oklahoma State Championship in the ten and under girl's softball and moves to the Southwestern Regionals scheduled for July 28, 2000 in Ardmore Oklahoma. Ten of the eleven team members are enrolled Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma tribal members, coming together from Tahlequah area school districts of Shady Grove, Park Hill, Briggs, Woodall and Tailhoat.

"This could be a once in a lifetime event for many of the girls to go to regionals and possibly nationals. Many of them may never get this chance again and as a parent and coach we are doing everything possible to show the girls that you can succeed if you work hard enough," said Carol Fisher. "These girls come from low income areas where dreams seldom come true and opportunities of any kind is seldom in reach. Most of these girls have been playing ball since they were four and five years old."

The Heat won four straight games to win the title, beating teams from Purcell, Muskogee and McAlester.

"The girls worked and played hard for this championship", said Roger Fisher, a coach for the Heat. "We tell them that winners never quit and to go into every game with a winning attitude. After many hard practices, the girls were victorious. We wanted the girls to have fun but to also learn the meaning of discipline and team work." Coach Fisher also said "the girls realized what working as a team meant. In our game against the Muskogee Rascals we were trailing at 11 to 1 in the top of the fourth inning only to win it in the 7th at 14-13. I never saw our girls so determined. They played with heart and refused to quit."

Behind the scenes the parents held many fundraisers as well as canvassing for local sponsorship money. Sponsors that helped the girls through the softball season, up through districts and into State included: Modern Cleaners, Roxies BBQ, Sparks Trucking Company, K.C. Harris Burger, Country Lane Crafts, T-Mac Industrial Specialties, and Eastern Star.

The next step is to go to the Southwestern Regionals, held in Ardmore Oklahoma, in which the Heat will play against Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas as Oklahoma State Champions. The parents are doing as much fundraising as they can. "Our job is to get them to regionals and the girls job is to play ball," said Reese Cookson, coach and parent. "They have worked hard for this and we parents are working hard to get them there."

For more information on how you can help this team get to regionals and nationals, please contact Roger and Carol Fisher, phone: 918-456-2206 or send an email to: tahl_heat@xoommail.com