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The Zion Chapel Lady Rebels are coming off one of the best seasons in school history and are hungry for more. 

The Lady Rebels made it to the state tournament last season for the first time since 2015. ZCHS used that success to propel into a solid offseason.

“I think it’s the best overall of an (offseason) we’ve had since I’ve been here,” ZCHS Coach Ethan Deal said. “I think we’ve missed the weight room just one day since we’ve started and we’ve been going really hard in the weight room. I think we’re in the best shape – strength wise – we’ve been since I’ve been here.” 

Zion Chapel’s softball squad featured four seniors last season, three of which are now playing college softball. 

“We returned the bulk of the team last year and graduated four really good ones,” Deal continued. “So, even though we return a good number of starters, the chemistry is new. The principles and the culture (of the program) are still there but overall they have to their own mesh and their own chemistry. I’m very pleased with where we are, though, compared to where we were at the same time in years past.” 

Despite those losses, Zion Chapel returns All-Messenger Pitcher of the Year Sydney Boothe and fellow All-Messenger teammates pitcher Riley Bannin and second baseman Shea Wambles. 

“It all starts with Riley in the circle and I think that Shea is the best second baseman in the State of Alabama and I would put her up against anybody,” Deal emphasized. “Our right fielder Emily Rhodes is someone I expect really big things from, too. I expect big things from all of those seniors defensively, offensively and in the dug out as leaders.”

Boothe and Bannin were dominant in the circle for the Lady Rebs last season. Boothe led the area with a 1.853 ERA and 1.035 WHIP along with leading the area with 148 strikeouts in 124 and 2/3 innings of work. She held a 19-3 record as a starter and an .853 fielding percentage with 44 putouts, two assists and three double plays.

Bannin was also effective in the circle and at the plate for Zion Chapel. She held a 2.069 ERA with 145 strikeouts and a 15-3 record as a starter. She also held a .738 fielding percentage with 31 putouts and one double play. At the plate, she held a .421 batting average with six doubles, two triples, four home runs, 45 RBIs and 30 runs. 

Wambles held a .319 batting average last season with a .416 on-base percentage, eight doubles, three triples, three homers, 34 RBIs, 49 runs and 18 stolen bases. In the infield, she earned a .989 fielding percentage with 91 putouts, three assists and five double plays. 

“Everything starts with our seniors,” Deal said. “They were my babies when I started. We threw them in the fire as eighth graders. So, they’v been here my entire time as coach. It’s kind of bittersweet that they’re seniors now and this is their last year.” 

Zion Chapel also benefits from the new indoor practice facility that Deal said is a game changer for the program.

“It’s huge for us,” he continued. “We have not missed a day of practice – even with some severe weather – since it opened minus the snow days. If it’s raining, we can go inside and still get our (swings) in. With the turf they put in, we can simulate ground balls and get our footwork in. It’s been a huge part of the development of our younger girls, too.

“We can split up practice where one group can be inside working while the other group is outside. Everything is able to flow so smooth and we’re able to get way more reps in compared to past years.”

Despite the success of 2024, Deal has his players focused on the here and now but also acknowledged he has a hungry team.

“We want to be where our feet are. We had a really good season last year but we have to understand that if anything it puts a target on us,” Deal emphasized. “I think this group has a really level head on them and I think they’re hungry and they tasted state a little last year – what it’s about – and they’re hungry for that again.

“We didn’t finish the way we wanted to. We just want to be better today than we were yesterday and understand that just because we were good last year, you still have to earn it this year. I think our schedule will really help with that. I think we have one of the toughest schedules that we’ve had since I’ve been here. We’re playing (that schedule) for May, not for now.”