Simmons Superlatives - Best Seniors

As usual, when it comes to Simmons Says columns my best-laid plans often go awry. Planning to do a daily release isn’t wise when I do two radio shows on Wednesday, one of which that spans somewhere between 2-10 hours depending on how many times you want to relisten to the Warren County Sports Authority.

Quick tangent: I don’t thank our listeners – or readers – enough for their support. Trev, coach and I started the WCSA podcast as something to do on a weeknight and it’s grown into what a few people have deemed as “appointment radio.” I can’t thank of y’all enough. And if you’ve seen the billboard, you’re welcome to submit your pictures to the WCSA Facebook page. We’ll be happy to delete them quickly.

OK, so yes, I’ll let you know that you can go back and read the Best Newcomers and Best Under-the-Radar Athletes lists – free of charge thanks to Security Federal Savings Bank – and I’ll be doing the rest of the awards as quickly as I can. The hope is I can release them each weekday (tomorrow will be Best Athletes) and finish up next week.

I’m only delaying over the weekend because I know I’ll be ramping up my coverage of the Spring Fling and I don’t want to overpromise and underdeliver … again.

Now that none of you read this and skipped right to the bold names, let’s get going with the Best Seniors of 2024-25. This reminder doesn’t feel necessary because of the category, but I will remind everybody – I’m only taking high school athletes in Warren County under consideration for this year’s Simmons Superlatives.

Ky Damon – Softball

When it comes to a pure love of their craft, I’m not sure any kid – in any sport – enjoys the technical aspects and the grind like Damon. She doesn’t just play softball — she lives it. As a two-time All-District 9-4A selection, Ky knew every inning look could be an audition for the next level, and Marion Military Institute clearly saw the potential. She’ll be heading there this fall.

Coaches love safety nets on the field – athletes who you have a level of comfort anytime the ball is going their way because you know they’ll do the right thing. It felt like Lady Pioneer players, fans and coach Gooby Martin could breathe a sigh of relief anytime the ball floated into the centerfield the last 3-4 years.

If Damon could get her glove to it, you could bet the batter was heading back to the dugout.

Warren County’s star centerfielder is one of those kids who feels like she’s been around forever. I feel like I was calling her a sophomore as a freshman, a junior as a sophomore and announced her impending graduation at some point last year.

Now that it’s actually happening, I’m just wishing we’d get another year with Ky.

Bri Taylor – Flag Football

When you talk about athleticism and competitive fire, Bri Taylor's name always comes up first — and loudly.

Taylor was a menace on the flag football field, finishing among the best nationally in total tackles and ranking in the top 10 in Tennessee in multiple defensive categories. But numbers only tell half the story. If you were at Nunley Stadium this spring, you probably remember a moment when Bri closed on a would-be touchdown run like a heat-seeking missile, ripping the flag and turning the tide of the game.

I think one of the things that tells the story of how great an athlete Taylor is would be she was able to seamlessly pivot from being a sought-after basketball prospect to being a college flag football signee in the span of a couple of months.

Even better, she’ll openly admit she didn’t know anything about football until she stepped on the field. Now she’ll be heading to Cumberland University to keep playing.

Addison Smith – WCHS Softball

Quiet, steady, and clutch — Addison Smith is the definition of reliable.

She was sure-handed as a defender at first base, racking up a .987 fielding percentage on her way to an All-District 9-4A nod. She was also a force in the batter’s box, smashing homers, driving in runs and always battling against some of the best arms in the Midstate.

It’s been quite the journey for Smith over the years. If you would’ve asked me if Smith would be on this list when she was in middle school, I probably would’ve said yes, but I think it would’ve been because I thought she was going to blossom on the basketball court.

Turns out, she was a diamond queen – and one the Lady Pioneers relied on heavily.

Amy Garcia – WCHS Soccer

Field general. Team motivator. District honoree. Amy Garcia brought poise and purpose to the Lady Pioneers' soccer team. Named to the All-District 7-3A team, Garcia didn’t just play — she was the epitome of purposeful movement.

Amy is the type of soccer player that coaches will say “if the ball is with Amy, something good can happen.”

Her impact wasn’t always felt in goals or assists, but work ethic and composure are something her younger teammates would be wise to copy moving forward.

Lesley Mirafuentes – WCHS Soccer, Flag Football

Mirafuentes might have flown under the radar, but her play on the pitch and turf was impossible to ignore. Earning second team all-district in soccer, she was the glue player every team needs — versatile, coachable and fiercely competitive.

She brought that same tenacity to flag football, becoming a spark plug on defense.

While she didn’t always headline the box scores, Lesley’s presence was constant — a true two-sport athlete who gave everything she had, every game, every snap.