KINGS MILLS — The practice field looked much different than it usually does in early June for the Kings High School softball team.
The temperature hovered near 80 degrees. The sky was cloudless. School had long since ended for the summer.
Yet the softball diamond remained full of activity.
And that sight alone was enough to make Kings coach John Schablein smile.
“It’s always a great sign when you’re a high school softball team practicing in June,” Schablein said on Wednesday, June 3. “It’s incredible.”
The Knights are making the first state tournament appearance in program history, carrying a 28-1 record and a 17-game winning streak into Saturday’s Division II state semifinal against defending state champion Painesville Riverside (27-4) at 3 p.m. at Firestone Stadium in Akron.
The winner advances to Sunday’s state championship game against either Westerville Central (27-2) or Walsh Jesuit (23-1).
The achievement represents the culmination of a journey that began almost immediately after last year’s season-ending loss to Anthony Wayne in the regional finals.
“Our progress started the day we lost that game,” Schablein said. “We said we can’t be down about it. We’re bringing back almost our entire team, and we’re going to learn from today and we’re going to be back.”
The players embraced that challenge.
Kings entered this spring with lofty expectations and never shied away from them. The Knights have outscored opponents 308-47 this season and have overwhelmed postseason competition, holding a 41-4 scoring advantage during tournament play.
The numbers suggested a state-caliber team well before the postseason began.
“We made sure they saw it,” Schablein said. “We made sure they had that goal, and they knew where they could go and where they should go.”
Kings sophomore Olivia Smith said the Knights’ belief came from months of preparation.
“It’s from all the work we’ve put in together. We’ve been building toward this,” Smith said. “Every practice, workout and challenge helped create the trust we have.”
Kings’ lone loss came April 16 against Eastern Cincinnati Conference rival Milford. Since then, the Knights have been nearly unstoppable.
The regional championship victory over Northmont finally broke through the last barrier.
“It was crazy,” Schablein said. “They celebrated like they’ve been wanting this forever together.”
In many ways, they have.
From T-ball teammates to state semifinalists
The story of Kings’ softball success stretches back far beyond this season.
Many of the players on Knights’ roster were elementary school teammates learning the game together.
Assistant coach Jen Parkhurst has watched much of that journey firsthand.
Parkhurst helped oversee several players during their youth softball years and estimates she has coached most of them in some capacity over the last 13 years — including her daughter, senior Grace Parkhurst.
“It’s one of the most amazing moments of my life,” Parkhurst said. “I started with a good group of them when they were literally 5 and 6 years old. Some of them joined along the way.”
What she remembers most isn’t the wins.
It’s the people.
“They’ve made me a better coach,” Parkhurst said. “They’re better humans than they are players on top of it. Great parent group, great support system. We’ve had a lot of fun.”
The dream of reaching the state tournament wasn’t something that materialized recently.
It became a shared objective years ago.
“The goal since they were 10 was, ‘Let’s go to state someday,’” Parkhurst said. “Let’s take teams where they’ve never been before, and here we go. Pretty amazing.”
Kings sophomore Alexis Fera said that history has made this weekend even more meaningful.
“We knew we had a season like this in us, for sure,” Fera said with a smile. “We’re so close as teammates.”
That bond — noticed by underclassmen — has helped fuel one of the most successful senior groups in school history.
According to the Kings athletic department, the current seniors have compiled a 97-17 record during their four-year careers.
Their chemistry is evident both on and off the field.
“They want to play together as long as they possibly can,” Parkhurst said.
Throughout Kings’ postseason run, dozens of younger softball players have packed the stands wearing red, white and blue — hoping to one day follow the same path.
“We had 25-plus first- through seventh-graders there just whooping it up,” Schablein said. “We let them hold the trophy.”
The impact, he said, is “kind of a community thing. It really is.”
Community, confidence fuel Knights entering final chapter
The excitement surrounding Kings softball has spread throughout the district.
The school had its sendoff party before the team departed for Akron on Friday — with the same fans who have flooded postseason venues during the Knights’ historic run.
“The outflowing of love from the two regional games was crazy good,” Schablein said. “Everybody in red, white and blue.”
Fera said the support has become one of the most rewarding aspects of the season.
“It’s honestly been one of the best parts of this whole season,” Fera said. “Everywhere we go, people are wishing us luck and cheering for us. It makes you realize how many people are behind you.
“Winning is exciting, but seeing how much our community cares about us has been just as rewarding. We feel that support every time we take the field.”
The Knights’ dugout enthusiasm has also become part of their identity.
Smith said that enthusiasm reflects how connected the team has become.
“What people see on the field is really a reflection of the bond we’ve built,” Smith said. “We trust each other, believe in each other and genuinely enjoy being together. We’ve spent so much time together that we’ve become like family. That closeness shows up in the way we compete and support one another.
“There’s a special chemistry within this team. Everyone is invested in each other, and I think that’s one of the biggest reasons we’ve come this far.”
That belief has become one of Kings’ greatest strengths. Schablein joked that his players carry even more confidence than their coaches.
“Unlike Jen and I, they don’t think anybody can beat them,” he said.
The veteran coach isn’t necessarily arguing.
He simply knows what awaits at the state tournament, where every remaining team has championship aspirations.
His message has remained consistent all season.
“We’ve told the kids all year long that we think the only thing that can beat them is themselves,” said Schablein, who is expected to retire after this week. “We’re decent at every facet of the game.”
The regional final offered a reminder. Early nerves contributed to a rare defensive miscue before Kings settled in and secured a 2-1 victory against Northmont.
Now the challenge becomes handling the pressure of the state’s biggest stage.
“If we keep our heads and just play our game, I think we have a fighting chance,” Schablein said.
As practice was concluding Wednesday, the coaches noticed something familiar.
The players were largely running things themselves.
“They get themselves going,” Schablein said. “We’d roll in here and they would be doing exactly what you’re seeing them doing now.”
After years of playing together, dreaming together and working toward a single goal, the Knights appear amped for whatever comes next.
“They’re ready,” Schablein said. “They’re in it to win it.”
