www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20090210/NEWS/902090224/ -
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Published on: 2/4/2009
Last Visited: 2/10/2009
Allison Rice during national signing day at Tuscaloosa County High School in Northport, Ala. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009.
Rice intends to play softball at Northwest Florida State College. (Tuscaloosa News, Dusty Compton)
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NORTHPORT | Allison Rice continued a family tradition last Wednesday when she signed a college scholarship, but she chose a different sport.
Rice, a senior softball pitcher for Tuscaloosa County High School, will attend Northwest Florida State College, formerly Okaloosa-Walton, in Niceville.
Her mother, Gina, went from playing volleyball at TCHS to the University of Alabama.
Her sister, Ashton, played volleyball at Bevill State Community College in Fayette.
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Rice could have waited to sign, but she said she felt sure of her decision.
'It's a load lifted off my shoulders,' she said. 'Now I'm not going to be worrying that if I do bad in this game I'm not going to get a scholarship.'
Rice said Jack Byerly, the Northwest Florida State coach, reminds her of TCHS coach Alan Reach.
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Reach said Rice is a player with 'outstanding character.'
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Rice was a Class 6A All-State honorable mention selection last season.
She posted a 31-16 record with one save.
She said that she can throw a fastball, changeup, screwball and curveball.
With Rice as the workhorse pitcher, the Lady Wildcats reached the ASHAA Tournament in Montgomery in 2008.
TCHS lost to Prattville 2-0, even though Rice threw a one-hitter.
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Rice said she will probably play first base when she's not pitching.