EAGLE, Idaho — A massive accomplishment happened over the weekend as a group of girls – the 12-and-under West Valley Little League all-star team made up of players from Eagle, Emmett and Star – won the state championship.
The squad will now represent Idaho as they take on the other best teams in the country at the Little League Softball Northwest Region Tournament in San Bernardino, California.
From the cold of early November to the current mid-summer heat, these athletes have been putting the work in, perfecting their fundamentals, mastering their chants and building their culture.
"We all kind of formed together as one this season and we've definitely been laying more tournaments and things that would bond us," Hannah Lloyd said.
The latest tournament was a big one – West Valley took down Lewiston Little League 15-4 in the second game of the Idaho state championship to be crowned the top team in the Gem State.
"Just seeing the smiles on their faces and the joy that they've had, knowing that they've worked so hard, they've faced a lot of adversity to get to this point," coach Kris Lloyd said.
Coach Lloyd is most proud of the lessons the team has learned along the way.
"Coming through perseverance and hard work and dedication," he said.
As the top squad in the state, West Valley now heads to regionals in southern California, where they will face off with the best of Oregon, Montana, Washington and Wyoming.
The 12U team sits four wins away from punching their ticket to the Little League World Series, and for the first time, they will play on television with the games broadcast on ESPN+.
"It's really cool. I texted all my friends to watch me on it," Ashley Dowling said.
"We've never done that before, it's going to be a big change for all of us and we're gonna need to get used to it, but I think we can all pull through," Avery Lloyd said.
With the pressures of the big stage, they will continue what they have been doing all season – leaning on their teammates.
"Every single time I made a good play, my teammates cheered me on and we danced after we made the good plays," Dowling said.
The chants and cheers turn onto on-field success.
"I think that's a big part of this team, we really enjoy cheering and it really brings the spirit and energy of everyone else up," TJ Longcore said.
Simply by playing the sport they love, coach Lloyd is seeing the growth on and off the diamond.
"Dedication, their passion for the game and along the way they've grown so much," he said. "They've learned so much. They've really gelled and unified, made new friends, learning life lessons through the game of softball."
As representatives of Gem State softball, the girls are ready to give their best under the bright lights.
"It's great to finally have the chance to go down to regionals and represent this great state of Idaho," Longcore.
West Valley kicks off its tournament run taking on Wyoming on Saturday afternoon in SoCal.
As the families gear up to make the trip and support the squad, they are calling for fundraising through a nonprofit. Donations can be made by clicking here.