Accalya King is a senior for the Westmoore Lady Jaguars softball team and multi-sport athlete. As a senior and veteran for the Lady Jaguars King is often looked upon to provide leadership for her teammates. While athletic ability, the drive to succeed, and the willingness to work hard on and off the field are necessary traits to be a leader, King knows there are other factors that come into play. From King’s
perspective there is one key to truly be a leader on the field and earning the respect of teammates and coaches. “Someone who leads by example and does what they say,” King said. “Instead of being a hypocrite.”
For King, actions speak louder than words and she wants to see everyone put forth full effort at all times. Softball is a mental game and maintaining a positive attitude betters the team as a whole. This mentality has been successful so far as Westmoore has had a great start to the season, including going undefeated in the early season Broken Arrow Tournament, and the Lady Jags look to make a run toward the state tournament. Last season Westmoore fell short in the first round of the state tournament to a tough Stillwater opponent. However, King reflected on the Fredrick Douglass quote “If there is no struggle,
there is no progress,” and she and the rest of the Lady Jags have been using that mentality for inspiration this year.
This fall King and the rest of the Lady Jaguars have big expectations as the 2022 fall season continues. As a senior, King can play a variety of positions –all of which she does well– and helped earn her the status of a VYPE Top 100 athlete; she said her favorite position is taking control behind the dish at catcher. However, she is also very capable when appearing in left field and makes the most of her opportunities at the plate. In 2021 King maintained a .403 batting average with an equally impressive .968 fielding percentage. While King looks forward to every game and tournaments throughout the season there are a few games on the calendar that stand out.
“I really look forward to playing against Moore and Southmoore each year,” King said. It’s no surprise these games stand out as the Moore area has become the hotspot for 6A fast-pitch competition with at least one Moore school appearing in all but one state championship game since 2016 (with Westmoore claiming their own title in 2018). Outside of softball King can probably be found hanging out with family,
friends, or playing another sport. After high school King wants to continue her playing career at the next level in college and plans on majoring in business.
