Back in July, Ali Shelton committed to Meridian Community College to continue her softball career.
As a junior, Shelton batted .393 with five doubles, two triples, 21 RBIs, and 17 runs scored. She proved to be an elite athlete and earned the right to keep playing the game she loved, a dream come true.
Shelton saw interest from many suitors, but she chose Meridian Community College to be reunited with her former coach, Faith Robinson.
The day of her signing, January 15, was going to mark a monumental day for the Benton Academy senior, a life-changing day, a part of the plan.
Unfortunately, her life changed on November 10 instead.
Shelton’s friend and teammate Lezlie Whitehead was taken from this world too soon due to a car accident.
The loss of Whitehead shocked Yazoo County, the Benton family, and Shelton herself.
The Whitehead family was a strong supporter of the Benton softball program, and they would never get the opportunity to see their daughter reach the next level.
For Shelton, it was too much to see the Whitehead family lose someone so meaningful to them, so she did what few high school kids would be willing to do.
She would share her day, her moment, her dream with a family she had grown to love. She invited the Whiteheads to her signing ceremony to honor Lezlie.
“Her death was such a blow to the team and school,” Shelton said. “She was really coming on and could have had a chance to play at the next level, but I realized her parents wouldn’t get to see that day, so it was the only thing I could think to do. I will be wearing her number at Meridian Community College too. Her parents were always so supportive of BA softball, and I felt that they should be there.”
It wouldn’t bring Lezlie back, but it would allow her parents to see both number 19 and her honor carried over to the junior college ranks.
Shelton only had the opportunity to play with Whitehead for a year before her untimely passing, but Whitehead’s bubbly personality, work ethic and friendly demeanor were enough to make a considerable impact on her new friend.
“I only played with her a lot this year,” Shelton said. “She was a great teammate and always worked hard. She always made everyone laugh and put a smile on our faces.”
Shelton will begin her summer workouts in May, and she will be reporting to school in the third week of August, where she’ll be wearing number 19 and a smile, both of which Lezlie so gracefully once wore.
