Scales named Female Athlete of the Year

[KFDM COOP]

Scales named Female Athlete of the Year

Gabriel Pruett Orange Leader

ORANGE — Orangefield graduate Aimee Scales never believed she would make first team all-district in three sports her senior season.

“I never once imagined I would be Athlete of the Year,” Scales said.

Scales is exactly that after leaving behind a tremendous career with the Lady Bobcats.

Scales has been named the 2010 Orange Leader Female Athlete of the Year for her contributions. This is the first time in the history of the award that Lady Bobcats won the title in back-to-back years. Allie Beach was the 2009 Female Athlete of the Year.

She stayed busy this year, along with every year she was in high school. Scales starred in volleyball, basketball and softball.

She never took time off and Orangefield fans grew  to always appreciate the hard work she put in.

“It has been a nice honor for my senior year,” Scales said. “I loved playing sports. I really don’t know what I would have done without them.”

First Scales took to the volleyball court.

This year she was named District 21-3A’s Outstanding Outsider Hitter.

Scales averaged 13 kills, two aces and three blocks a game. She had 21 kills against West Orange-Stark, a season-high.

“Volleyball this year was my main sport,” Scales said. “I was so happy we had the success we had over the last two years. It felt great to be the senior and have the younger girls on my shoulders. Coach Holbrooks did a great job with us. As freshmen we used volleyball season to get in shape for basketball. That is totally different now. Now we wanted to always be pushing for the playoffs and try to reach some goals we set.”

Then came basketball season, a very popular season in girls’ sports in Orangefield.

The pressure is always on the Lady Bobcats to not only reach the playoffs but challenge for a district championship.

Scales was first team All-District 21-3A and was named to the TABC Academic All-State Team.

She averaged eight points, six rebounds, three steals and 2.5 blocks a game as a senior.

“Every single person in Orangefield goes to Lady Bobcats’ basketball games,” Scales said. “I always had a lot of fun during basketball season and it was always a great experience. Coach Jost always understood me on and off the court. A lot of people don’t realize how great he is to talk to off the court, he is always willing to listen and help out.

“Basketball season was always tough because there is so much pressure on us. We tried to carry out the tradition at Orangefield. Coach Jost made us even better.”

Then when some seniors call it a year, Scales went right back to work on a different playing field.

Scales turned to softball to keep her going.

This year was a good year for Orangefield. They defeated their rival Bridge City Lady Cardinals in district. Even though the Lady Cardinals got their revenge and made the playoffs over Orangefield, Scales was still impressed with the Lady Bobcats’ season.

Scales batted near .300 this year and was named First Team Outfielder for the 21-3A All-District Team.

“I have watched the softball team get turned around,” Scales said. “We have a bunch of girls who are very talented on the team. They really want to win. I can at least walk away and say I was on the team that beat Bridge City. I will definitely be there to watch the team in the future and know they will keep on improving.”

So through the years Scales has seen the good and bad times in all sports at Orangefield.

Yet even when the bad was really bad, she would not trade her time for anything.

“I really enjoyed all three sports so much,” Scales added. “The best is knowing the community supports you like they do. It really makes a difference and I was blessed to be a part of it all.”

[shovel]

Excellent article Gabe! And a fine young lady too!

[Let’sGetAlong]

Congrats to Aimee. However she was not Outstanding Outside, she played Middle and was 1st Team All District...could have been Outstanding Middle but I guess votes did not go her way (Neely from Silsbee is a fine player as well, not trying to take anything away). Congrats. Could have probably excelled in some of the Field events as well...great athlete.

[AIW]

Congrats to aimee !  She is part of the reason I love the bobcats and their community.