Camden's Brittney Minor named All-West Tennessee Female Athlete of the Year
In her four years of athletics, one thing that Brittney Minor has brought to Camden is power.
From her time at the plate on the softball field, in the post on the basketball court and blocking in the middle on the volleyball court, she has used her strength to make her the 2017-18 All-West Tennessee Female Athlete of the Year.
“My four years at Camden have been busy and competitive, and I think I learned a lot,” Minor said. “I grew as a person. I was shy and not outspoken as a freshman, but I have become more of a leader.
“It is always hard to pick which one was my favorite because during each season, that was the sport I enjoyed.”
Minor said that power was more of a mental struggle than it was a physical struggle.
On the softball field, she was known for hitting home runs. She hit 23 of them over the past two years, driving in 82 runs.
“I knew we would have a strong softball team this year,” Minor said. “The seniors stepped up.”
Minor is second in Camden history in home runs with 29.
On the basketball court, Minor was hard to handle in the post. She had the natural moves around the basket that made her tough to guard.
She averaged 13.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game this past season as she helped the Lady Lions to the Region 6-AA quarterfinals.
“I did not expect to finish where we did,” Minor said. “We had freshmen, sophomores and juniors step up to help us finish where we did.”
The newest sport in her repertoire has been volleyball, but her biggest influence on the game is just like the others – power.
Minor played as middle blocker and created a wall that helped thwart the opposing team’s attack and allowed setter Jordan Vick an option to set to in the middle.
Minor helped Camden become the third West Tennessee volleyball team to finish in the top four of the state tournament.
“When Coach (Stephen) Vick asked me to try out sophomore year, I was hesitant about it,” Minor said. “I didn’t know if I had time for it. I haven’t regretted the decision to play volleyball at all. I have learned more about other sports through volleyball.”
It didn’t take long for Minor to find exactly where she fit in on the volleyball court.
"I am a middle blocker, so getting a touch on the ball is important,” Minor said. "Getting a touch will help your back row. Getting kills is also important, but another big role for me is staying out of (Camden setter) Jordan Vick's way on the second ball. That is one of my biggest fears is getting in her way."
Softball is where Minor will get to play on the next level as she has signed with Dyersburg State.
“I already miss playing basketball and volleyball,” Minor said, "but I know that softball is the sport for me."
MORE: Power part of Minor's game with Camden volleyball, softball
MORE: Camden's Minor connects bat often when needed
Other standout performances
Sophie Dunavant
Jackson Christian softball, basketball
Why chosen: Dunavant, a Freed-Hardeman softball signee, was a two-sport athlete. She starred on the softball field at catcher and at the plate, hitting .537 with 13 home runs, 35 RBIs, 44 hits and 36 runs scored. She also was named the TSCA West Tennessee Miss Softball in Division II. She also joined the basketball team this year and helped the Lady Eagles in a turnaround season in their first year in Division II-A.
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Kaitlyn Kelley
Lexington basketball, softball
Why chosen: Kelley, a Union University softball signee, was a two-sport athlete. She played best on the softball field in the infield. In 35 games this season, she batted .465 with nine home runs, 51 RBIs, 13 doubles and 24 runs scored to be named to the All-West Tennessee softball first team. Kelley also played basketball and was a 3-point shooter helping the team reach the Region 7-AA quarterfinals.
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Chloe Matthews
South Side volleyball, softball
Why chosen: Matthews, a Jackson State softball signee, was a two-sport athlete. She was key defensively on the volleyball and softball teams. In volleyball, she averaged 15 digs per match as libero, helping South Side reach the Class AA state tournament and leading to her being named to the All-West Tennessee volleyball first team. In softball, she helped the Lady Hawks to the Region 7-AA semifinals from the infield with a .938 fielding percentage.
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Kallie Pickens
USJ softball, basketball
Why chosen: Pickens, a UT Martin softball signee, was a two-sport athlete. In softball, she batted .571 with seven home runs, 37 RBIs, 56 hits and 18 doubles for the Lady Bruins, who reached the Division II-A State XII round. Pickens was named to the All-West Tennessee softball first team. She was also key on the basketball team with her ball handling and 3-point shooting.
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Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.