By: Shayla Terry

With the school year and sports coming to an end, Highland Home softball head coach Cassie Smith and assistant coach Michael Sport have chosen to step down from their positions.

Both coaches will remain as only teachers at the school for two different reasons, grouped under the same word — family.

Smith and her husband, Scott, would like to expand their family.

“We want to grow our family, and in order to make that happen I’m going to have to step away from softball,” she said. “

The couple already has a one-year-old son.

“I already have one little boy, and it was a bit of a tough pregnancy when I had him,” Smith said. “So, my husband and I made this decision together. Family comes first.”

Smith is a ninth and tenth grade English teacher at Highland, a position she has held for the past four years.

“I hope the program continues to grow,” Smith said. “Each year the team has gotten better and better and I want them to continue that path for a bright future.

Sport, too, has chosen to step away for the betterment of his family.

“My parents are getting old, and health is deteriorating,” he said. “Family is important to me. I just want to take this time and spend with them while they are still here.”

Sport has spent 9 years with the softball program, and 17 years teaching 5th grade history and science.

“I hope they excel,” Sport said. “Anything that I can do to help the kids, like batting and fielding, I’m here for it. I’ll still be at all of the games.”

Crenshaw County Schools Superintendent Dr. Boyd English says he and the board will take all of the necessary steps to ensure their students success.

“We’re always looking to provide the best opportunity for our students to be successful,” he said. “We appreciate all of our teachers and what they do. We definitely understand that there are times that we have to shift gears on our plans. We have every intention to make sure that the coaches we put in place will take our school to the next level. We wish the coaches nothing but the best.”

The Highland Home Lady Squadron softball team finished this year’s season with a 13-17 record, and a showing in the regional tournament.