Southern Wayne's Rebecca Coor inks with Wingate

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on January 28, 2018 3:08 AM

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DUDLEY -- Waste not, want not.

Such could be said of Southern Wayne shortstop Rebecca Coor, whose no-frills prep softball methodology culminated on Friday with her signing a national letter-of-intent to continue her playing career this fall at Wingate University, an NCAA Division II school approximately an hour southeast of Charlotte.

And in typical fashion, the ceremony was devoid of traditional pomp and look-at-me circumstance -- in fact, there was none at all.

Surrounded by a modest gathering of coaches, family and teammates, the versatile senior -- who hit .391 with 25 hits, 19 RBI (runs batted in) and 23 runs scored a season ago -- went about the commitment process with the cool, even-handed manner those who have watched her perform over the years have come to expect.

No big deal, it seemed -- just an uber-talented kid confirming a decision she made many, many moons ago.

"I focused on one school, and that was Wingate," Coor said of the recruiting process, which also included interest from the University of Mount Olive and NC Wesleyan in Rocky Mount. "I went to camps and said, I have to be on this team. The coaching... Coach Lani (Shaffer Ries), I see her as a mother figure -- it's like a family there."

And one second-year Southern Wayne head coach Jamie Williams anticipates she will impress in short order -- for one reason in particular.

"Her willingness to be coached and to get better is far beyond anybody that I've ever seen," she noted.

"She's so much more advanced mentally as an athlete than most, and that matters. Big time."

Just as it did last spring, when Coor hustled back toward peak efficiency less than a year after an injury that required surgery, the insertion of a metal plate to stabilize her lower right leg and light years of patience while wading through the rehabilitation process.

As hitters go, Coor is unique -- able to locate movement early, battle through pitchers' counts and finish swings that generate a lineup-enhancing blend of contact and power.

As versatility in the field is concerned, No.9 is a true diamond savant, able to catch, occupy the infield's left side or, in general, handle whatever task the Southern Wayne staff requests she complete.

"She could coach the team... you know, if need be," Williams said. "She's got the leadership, the knowledge and the skill set... I have 100 percent confidence that she'll find her way into the (Wingate) starting lineup as a freshman."

Waste not, want not.