Courtney Lipford Happy to Continue Her Softball Career

Leon High shortstop Courtney Lipford never intended to continue playing softball in college.
But that all changed when she homered and tripled in a game against Lincoln earlier in the season, catching the eye of Lurleen B. Community College softball coach Tommy McDaniel.
“He told me that I have the best power that he’s ever seen,” Lipford said.
She accepted a full scholarship to the school in Andalusia, Alabama. Lipford celebrated with teammates and coaches Tuesday afternoon in the Leon media center.
“It’s an example of what hard work and commitment can do in life,” Leon principal Rocky Hanna said at the ceremony.
A three-year varsity player for the Lions, Lipford has emerged as a major power threat this year in the No. 3 spot of Leon’s lineup. This season, she leads Leon with a .500 batting average and a Big Bend-best five home runs along with 22 RBIs and 19 runs.
“This is basically the best season I’ve played my whole life,” Lipford said.
Lipford, who plans to major in nursing, said there’s a good chance she’ll be in the Saints’ starting lineup as a freshman.
“Hopefully I’ll be one of their best hitters when I go there,” Lipford said.
She is the daughter of Curtis Lipford and Crystal of Blountstown and the grand-daughter of Hook and Dianne Barber of Marianna and A.G. Burnley of Tallahassee and Janet Kent of Blountstown, Florida.