News
Ellis named VDN’s 2024 Softball Coach of the Year
After finishing the 2024 season with an impressive 22-8 record, Brian Ellis has been named VDN’s Softball Coach of the Year. Ellis joined Warren Central for the first time this year and guided the team to remarkable victories that led them to the second round of the playoffs.
“I’m very proud because you don’t always get to have seasons like that and the girls did a tremendous job,” Ellis said.
Throughout the season, under Ellis’ guidance, the Lady Vikes secured significant wins early, in the middle, and towards the end of the season, rapidly climbing the ranks. Notable
victories against teams like Madison Central, Germantown, Wesson, and Pearl marked the successful 2024 season before Warren Central defeated Grenada and South Panola in the playoffs.
“We just kept getting more confident and we knew that we were one of the top teams in the state, and these girls know hard work so we just continued to get better as time progressed,” Ellis added.
Ellis attributed the team’s motivation for additional wins to the significant victories they achieved. Unfortunately, the season concluded with a loss to South Panola in the third game of the second round of the playoffs.
Despite the premature end to their season, the Lady Vikes witnessed some remarkable moments, including the emergence of sophomore pitcher Maddy Pant and the collegiate scholarship signings of seniors Jenn
Smith, Makayla Jackson, and Sarah Cameron Fancher. Additionally, Tyra Bridges, Adalyn Anderson, Jill Smith, and Kamryn Moron have solidified their plans for academic pursuits.
“To see them achieve these goals is really
big and we’re a high academic team and
that’s always been our goal,” Ellis said.
Ellis spent over a decade as Vicksburg High
School’s head coach before making the
switch to WC. This is his second time
winning this award.
“Obviously a lot of the credit goes to the
girls because they allowed me to come in
and be their coach,” he said. “They put in
the effort and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
