CLENDENIN, W.Va. — Herbert Hoover sophomore standout Delani Buckner this past week was named the Gatorade High School Softball Player of the Year in West Virginia.
Buckner went 21-0 this past season with a 0.39 ERA, also contributing at the plate with a .351 batting average and 19 RBIs. She finished the year striking out 239 batters in 125 an one-third innings.
Herbert Hoover last month won its second straight Class AA softball state championship, completing a perfect 33-0 season.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport.
As a Gatorade Player of the Year, Delani will be able to select a national or local youth sports organization to receive a grant as part of the Gatorade Play It Forward program. Every Gatorade Player of the Year state winner receives a $1,000 grant to donate and will have the opportunity to enter for an additional $10,000 spotlight grant by writing a brief essay explaining why their selected organization deserves additional support.
Last Five West Virginia Gatorade Softball Player of the Year Selections:
2018: Delani Buckner, Herbert Hoover
2017: Katie Adams, Hurricane
2016: Alexee Haynes, Sissonville
2015: Ali Burdette, Buffalo
2014: Kenna DeLancy, Ritchie County