By Kyle Coppola
Eustis High Softball Team Receive 2024 State Championship Rings
EUSTIS, Fla. — The Eustis High School girls’ softball team celebrated their crowning achievement Wednesday evening, receiving their FHSAA Class 4A State Championship rings during halftime of the boys’ basketball game against South Sumter High.
Led by head coach Brittany Scott Beall, the Panthers capped an extraordinary 26-2 season by clinching the state title in dramatic fashion. The championship game ended with standout performances by pitcher Skylar Cloud and hitter Kendall Kemp, whose clutch hit brought home Kaylen Bublitz for the winning run.
(Members of the 2024 Class 4A Eustis State Championship Team Show off their rings.)
“I am incredibly humbled and proud of the 2024 Eustis State Championship team.” says former Eustis High head coach Brittany Beall. ” Winning the state championship was a testament to the sacrifices made both on and off the field. Our players were unwavering in their dedication, driven by a clear and precise goal that they pursued with relentless focus. None of this would have been possible without the amazing support system of family, friends, and our incredible community, who rallied behind us every step of the way. Together, we turned this dream into a reality, and this championship will forever stand as a reflection of hard work, unity, and heart.”
(Head coach Brittany Beall goes out a state champion! She is now the head coach of the FAMU Rattlers.)
Coach Brittany Beall would go on to say “Our mission was rooted in the understanding that it was never about one individual player—it was about the team. Success came when we embraced the mindset of being the most selfless versions of ourselves, putting the needs of the group above our own. This selflessness became our strength and ultimately defined who we were as a championship team.”
The Lady Panthers were recognized in front of a packed home crowd, with fans applauding their historic accomplishment. For the senior’s it was their second state championship and for coach Beall her second and potentially final FHSAA State Championship as a coach for the forseable future as she has taken on the head coaching role of the FAMU Rattlers. Each player received a commemorative ring, engraved with the State Champions.
(Eustis Principal Tracy Clark hugs Ciera Maple who was a big part of the State Championship run.)
The championship roster included Skyler Scott (#1), Skylar Cloud (#2), Adrianna Covino (#3), Chloe Zimmerman (#4), Taylor Goff (#5), Emmy Luke (#6), Ciara Maple (#7), Katie Short (#8), Brooklyn Powhida (#9), Dalilah Taylor (#10), Carson Roden (#11), Brooke Mansfield (#12), Kailey Walker (#13), Kendall Kemp (#14), Kaylen Bublitz (#15), Mackenzie Tackett (#16), Lillie Smith (#17), Jensen Luke (#18), Brooklynn Mason (#19), Gabby Hiles (#20), and Taryne Thomas (#33).
Skylar Cloud anchored the team with dominant performances on the mound throughout the season, while a balanced lineup of hitters provided crucial support. It was among one of the best team’s we have ever seen in Lake County as you would come to expect from a squad coached by the legendary Brittany Scott Beall.
(The newest ring is on the left. The ring on the right is the 2021 State Championship ring as well.)
“This season will be something we cherish forever,” said Kemp. “Winning for our school, our town, and with my teammates—it’s the best feeling in the world.”
The Panthers’ championship is their second in just four years. It was a special year and although coach Beall has moved on to FAMU, assistant coach Tyra Bowers will aim to continue the legacy that coach Beall brought to Eustis High the past decade. Congratulations to the 2024 Eustis High Softball team on their State Championship!
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
