To the editor:

My name is Ashley Paolozzi. I am a 16-year old sophomore at Scotland High.

As a dedicated athlete, playing two years of volleyball and softball for the high school, I was astounded to hear that the head and assistant coach of the junior varsity softball team were terminated as our coaches. Obviously, as seen in last year's records, and the undefeated season we currently have, these two men are doing something right. The two men I speak of are head coach Joel McCanna and assistant coach James Bethea. Allegations were made against these two people. When asked why they were fired, no answer was given.

Coach McCanna and Coach Bethea are the reason for our success as softball players, and as far as I have seen, there is no reason for any single person to go against them. Our team this year has so many potential super stars, and without the correct coaching staff, these stars will not shine. These two men have taught us a plethora of things, and what we have taken from that will never be forgotten. Our team has so much respect for McCanna and Bethea, and we only want them as coaches.

On behalf of the Fighting Scots Junior Varsity Softball team, we love our coaches. They are like family to us, and we want to see no harm done to them. But, taking them away from us will not only hurt them, but the pain our players will feel will be so much worse. We have cried and cried, smiled, laughed and told each other everything would be OK, but the reality is, that it won't be OK until someone takes action. We want our coaches back, and we want them back right now! Without them, all of our hard work will have been wasted because I doubt the majority of the players will remain on the team. These two men mean that much to us.

A JV baseball player told me he didn't think he'd be able to give up an undefeated season just for coaches, but maybe that's why they aren't undefeated. They think as individuals, not teammates. But, whatever the outcome, I will always be grateful to have been able to call them my coaches, and always will call them my coaches.

Ashley Paolozzi,

Laurinburg