SHERIDAN — Softball has long had a special place in Maggie Hicks’ heart.
“I have played basketball and volleyball, too, and I love those sports,” Hicks said, “but I always had a softball in my hand.
“I was always throwing it and stuff and asking my parents to play catch with me. After my mom, Kristi, would drop my brother off at school, we would play catch in our yard.”
And softball has been good to Hicks. She finishes her senior year at Sheridan High School as a three-time 6A state softball champion and a four time all-state softball player and ended her final season with a batting average of .500. She was ranked eighth in the state of Arkansas.
For her success, Hicks has been named the 2018 Tri-Lakes Edition Softball Player of the Year for the second year in a row.
“It is such a blessing,” she said. “I am so humble to receive this award.”
Hicks was also recently named the All-Arkansas Preps Outstanding Softball Player of the Year by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and was the 2017-18 Wendy’s Softball Player of the Year.
“She is an all-around great young lady,” Sheridan head coach Tamara Strawn said. “It isn’t just that she is the most talented athlete in Arkansas; it is her character and heart.
“She led our team in prayer each game, and she went 100 percent in the classroom, in her youth group, and as a daughter and a friend.”
Strawn said Hicks leaves a legacy of not only an amazing work ethic and athletic level but of a heart of gold and a smile that will always be remembered.
She said Hicks never allows herself to settle and holds herself accountable. Strawn said Hicks is the most dedicated and coachable player.
“Maggie is going to do whatever is needed to help her team be successful,” Strawn said.
In the 6A state-championship game against Marion on May 19, Hicks finished 4 for 4 and hit an inside-the-park home run.
“I think we have been so successful because we have an outstanding coach,” Hicks said. “She helps us grow closer as a team and always put God first. And when you put him first, things tend to work out for the better.
“I know without him, nothing we have done would be possible. We always pray before games, and sometimes we do little devotionals on the side.”
Hicks attends East Union Missionary Baptist Church. She recently returned from a mission trip to Alamo, Texas, where she volunteered at a sports camp, teaching basketball and soccer to the kids in the area. She said she loves sharing God’s word and feels like she can do that best through sports.
“Maggie loves people,” Strawn said. “She sees the good in everyone. She is always going to bring the best of herself.
“Maggie’s weakness is not being able to say, ‘No.’ She doesn’t want to disappoint anyone and tends to put too much on her plate sometimes.”
Hicks will play softball for the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville this fall, and she plans to major in social work to become either a Christian counselor or a children’s hospital counselor. She said she loves talking to people and helping them in any way she can.
“It has always been a dream of mine to go to the University of Arkansas,” Hicks said. “Both of my parents went there, so I have always wanted to go there.
“I am so grateful to do both — to play softball and go there.”
Hicks excelled in the classroom as well, finishing with a grade-point average of 3.89.
“This past year has meant so much to me,” Hicks said. “Being my last year, it has been very sweet. We made some great memories.
“We won our third straight championship, and not many teams get the opportunity to do that. I am very grateful for that.”
Strawn said it didn’t matter if Hicks was a freshman or senior; she was always giving extra in practice, in games, picking up and shagging balls or putting up equipment.
“Once Maggie came over to me, smiling ear to ear after she had struck out and said, ‘Coach Strawn, I am not smiling because I am happy that I did that. I am smiling because I know I need to.”
Strawn said Hicks bought into all the team-building, the positive outlooks and was grateful for everything.
“She always smiled, even if it was a little fake, because she knew her teammates were watching, and she lived by being positive,” Strawn said. “Maggie mixes fun into the sport; they all do.
“We love that we can have fun, cut up, let loose and be winners. Maggie is what I want to be like when I grow up. She has taught me more about life and giving all you can each and every day than I could teach her.”
Staff writer Sam Pierce can be reached at (501) 244-4314 or spierce@arkansasonline.com.