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Williams has Chiefs speeding toward playoffs
By TERRY JONES © St. Petersburg Times, published April 15, 2001 NORTH TAMPA -- Fast isn't an apt description for the speed of Chamberlain centerfielder Myesha Williams. Coach Bob Diez says the high school senior is one of the fastest he has seen. Williams easily blends her speed, natural athleticism and softball skills -- making her one of the reasons the Chiefs have been successful the past four years, he said. "She doesn't just run down balls, she gets the breaks," Diez said. "With her natural instincts, she sees which way the ball is going to break as it leaves the bat and uses her speed to get where it's going to make some spectacular catches. She is also fast on the bases and will usually score if she gets on and we can help her move around." The 18-year-old Temple Terrace resident has been successful this season, with 11 steals in 11 attempts. In her first three seasons, Williams hit around .280 each year. This year, she is hitting .385 with 10 RBI. She credits her improvement to the determination to have an exceptional senior season, the desire she and her teammates have to win a state championship and lots of hard work in the batting cage. "I work one day hitting from the left and the next day from the right," she said. "Finally grasping my skill as a switch hitter has helped my mental game also this year too. Mostly the whole team working so hard together this year has helped me to play better in all aspects of my game." Part of Williams' speed was developed while training with the Chiefs track team during her first three years at Chamberlain. "With a good season and good ACT scores, I may get a scholarship at Florida A&M," she said. "So I decided to focus just on softball this season." She said she already has several scholarship offers from junior colleges. To take better advantage of both her speed and eye-to-ball instincts, Coach Diez plays Williams mostly in the outfield. However, she has done stints at second base and shortstop when needed. Although her team has come close, the Chiefs have not won the state championship. Williams was a starter as a freshman when the Chiefs made it to the state championship game. She was also in the lineup when they made it to the semifinals in her sophomore year. Last year, Chamberlain was bumped from the playoffs by Clearwater Countryside in the regional semifinals. This is the year for the Chiefs to take the championship, Williams said. "We have great pitching, a solid defense and the whole team is hitting consistently right now," she said. "We all know everything has to get even better to go all the way, but we are working and playing as a solid team and that is important. I don't want to let my team down. I want to help them get the state trophy." Williams' mood helps set the tone for the team, according to Diez. "When Myesha is down, she shows it and it seemes to affect the whole team," Diez said. "But when she has that big smile on her face, the team seems to play with a lot more confidence knowing everything is going to be fine."
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