Incoming Freshman Ranked No. 22 on ESPN Softball 2012 Recruiting Class
July 23, 2012
ESPN High School Softball Recruiting Class Top-100
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Four-star recruit and Kansas softball incoming freshman Chaley Brickey checked in at No. 22 on ESPN’s High School softball recruiting database.
A Weatherford, Texas native, Brickey is one of three Big 12 signees ranked in ESPN’s top 25, joining a Texas signee and commitment. Nine total freshmen joining the league are named in the top-100.
“I had no idea until my coach told me (Texas Glory Gold coach Kevin Shelton),” Brickey said. “I was so excited. He told me while we were warming up for a game, though, so I couldn’t get too excited.”
The daughter of Debbie Wall and Joe Brickey, Brickey played at Haltom High School, but forewent her senior season to graduate early and join the Jayhawks this fall.
In three quick years, she put together an impressive list of accolades during her time with the Buffalos. Under the direction of HHS coach Allison Conway, Brickey brings a reputation of strong glove work and a textbook swing with her to Lawrence.
“When you go to a field, you walk away and remember Chaley Brickey,” Kansas head coach Megan Smith said when Brickey signed in November. “She is going to make a huge impact for us right away. She is a dynamic player, defensively and offensively. I say she is one of the best in the country and I think a lot of people would agree with that.”
Smith was right. Brickey was named to the elite list generated by ESPN earlier this summer after making her decision to graduate early. In her final season at Haltom High, Brickey was the District 6-5A MVP for the second-straight season. She also earned spots on the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Softball Super Team First Team as well as the All-VYPE Greater Fort Worth First Team.
Brickey also was selected her high school team’s MVP and made her third-consecutive appearance on the Academic All-District squad. The accolades were well deserved after cranking out a .643 batting average and 40 RBIs, while striking out just once in her final campaign with the Buffalos.
Earning ESPN’s No. 22 recruit ranking all the more cements her decision to forgo her final year in high school to start her career as a Jayhawk.
“I haven’t second guessed that decision at all,” Brickey said. “I’m very glad I decided to do this. An honor like this one makes me feel so good because I know I’m younger than a lot of the girls on that list.”
Named the team’s MVP in her first season of high school softball, Brickey was also honored with the District Defensive Player of the Year and a Golden Glove award. Rolling through her rookie campaign, Brickey earned spots on the Academic All-District Team and was named First Team All-District.
In 2011, Brickey reprised her role on the First Team and Academic All-District teams but the honors proved to be just a stepping stone. As a sophomore, Brickey also earned the District 5-6A MVP award for the first time, the Silver Bat award and was bestowed with the 2011 All-VYPE MVP Softball Player award in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She nearly earned the award back-to-back seasons, finishing third in the voting this spring.
Also member of the elite Texas Glory-Gold club softball team, Brickey and her teammates are currently competing in the Premier Girls Fastpitch Nationals.
Brickey joins incoming freshmen Alex Hugo, Kylee Kennedy and Kelsey Kessler, as well as, junior transfer Taylor Hatfield to comprise the 2013 Kansas softball newcomers. The rookies will look to immediately impact a program on the rise as KU posted its second-straight 30-win season in Smith’s three-year era last spring.
