Editor’s note: This is a regular feature profiling senior athletes at Bryant High School.
NAME: Shayla McKissock
PARENTS: Karen Bonvillain, Bill McKissock, Lance Bonvillain (step-dad)
SIBLINGS: Scott and Skyler McKissock; Beaux, Gabbie, Emma Bonvillain
FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: Sciences, Anatomy
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? I don’t have much spare time between softball, studying, work and church.
FAVORITE FOOD: Chicken nuggets
FAVORITE MUSIC ARTIST OR GROUP: The Beatles
FAVORITE MOVIE: The Benchwarmers
FAVORITE TV SHOW: The Big Bang Theory
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A KID? Softball and bat
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? Play softball at Mississippi College and major in Biology.
OTHER THAN YOUR PARENTS, WHO HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR LIFE? Every softball coach I’ve ever had, good and bad have shaped me into who I am today.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT SOFTBALL: The feeling of a good hit that ends a dry spell.
POSITIONS: Third and middle infield but I will play outfield in college.
WHAT’S YOUR APPROACH AT THE PLATE? I have to take a deep breath and know where I want to put the ball before I get in the box.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SEASON SO FAR? We are a team with an amazing amount of talent who could take on any team when we are on. Our struggle has been keeping a fine focus throughout an entire game.
WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT TO THE SEASON SO FAR?
Doing donuts on the bus and screaming out the windows before a game.
WHAT’S IT GOING TO TAKE FOR THE TEAM TO BE SUCCESSFUL THE REST OF THE SEASON? Playing really tough teams has prepared us for State by showing us that we need focus to play well and passion to win.
TALK ABOUT YOUR GAME NOW; WHAT DO YOU FELL MOST CONFIDENT IN YOUR ABILITY TO DO? I am very confident in my ability to hit with runners on base and turn singled into doubles.
WHAT DO YOU WORK HARDEST TO IMPROVE ON IN PRACTICE? I work hardest on my defensive footwork because I switch positions around a lot.
AFTER YOU’RE THROUGH PLAYING SOFTBALL AT BHS, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’LL REMEMBER MOST FONDLY ABOUT IT? Kathy Turpin’s pre-game meals.
