Stigler High School’s Keeli Adams
Stigler High School junior third baseman Keeli Adams brings a calm confidence and a contagious joy to the Lady Panthers’ softball program. Now a returning starter at third, she has grown into a steady presence on the infield and in the dugout, where she leans on her faith, family and teammates to guide her approach to the game.
Adams said her parents are the people who inspire her most because of the countless hours they have invested in her sports journey. “They’ve taken time out of their day to help me with sports when they could’ve done anything else, and I’m very grateful for them every day,” she said. That gratitude shows in the way she attacks one of softball’s toughest positions. She embraces the challenge of handling rockets at the hot corner, calling “getting a line drive hit straight at you at an outrageous rate” the most difficult part of playing third base.
Away from the field, Adams, an 11th grader, keeps life simple. She said she does not really have a favorite subject, but she does have a favorite teacher in Mrs. Parsons “or Mrs. P, as we call her.” In her free time, she writes a daily Bible verse in her journal, a routine that connects directly to her mindset in the batter’s box.
Her hitting process starts with a short reminder: “Trust in God and in yourself. Don’t doubt yourself. U got this,” Adams said. That attitude carries into the dugout, where she says the team’s easy chemistry is what she enjoys most. “We always find a way to have fun,” she said. She credits vocal teammates Payton and Lexi for keeping everyone laughing and lifting spirits with their constant banter.
Whether it is Adams, Lexi, Nolee or Brooklynn ending up with the dirtiest uniform on a given day, she said the Lady Panthers are always diving, grinding and looking out for each other. “If someone’s having a bad day, we are all trying to make you feel better,” Adams said. “Athletics has taught me to stay strong even through the hardships of life. Never give up even for a second.”
