Rylee Braden is soccer strong with her feet - and a whistle
Rylee Braden takes advantage of her feet - and a whistle, St. Louis Cardinals caravan comes to AutoZone Park and tryouts for NWCC volleyball.
Rylee Braden is soccer strong with her feet - and a whistle Rylee Braden takes advantage of her feet - and a whistle, St. Louis Cardinals caravan comes to AutoZone Park and tryouts for NWCC volleyball. Check out this story on commercialappeal.com: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/2020/01/12/memphis-sports-roundup-rylee-braden-cardinals-caravan/2845105001/
Chris Van Tuyl, Memphis Commercial Appeal Published 7:00 a.m. CT Jan. 12, 2020
Rylee Braden's association with the sport of soccer began in the fifth grade.
She's currently more than halfway through her junior season at Lewisburg High School in Olive Branch.
As a player, Braden excels at her defender position.
When she's not wearing the Patriot red, white and blue uniform, the 16-year-old still finds it hard to depart the playing field. And that's where her connection to the Mississippi Soccer Association has started to pay dividends.
Specifically, at the MSA's annual conference and business meeting in Jackson, Braden will be honored as the North District Female Youth Referee of the Year. She's set to be recognized at an awards banquet on Jan. 25.
Lewisburg High junior Rylee Braden has been honored by the Mississippi Soccer Association as the North District Female Youth Referee of the Year. (Photo: Courtesy of Lewisburg High School)
Her initial heads-up came courtesy of the Delta State University coaching staff.
"I got a text saying, 'Congratulations on your award,'" she said. "So, I just went online, looked it up and I had gotten this award."
Braden's knowledge of the game – and the opportunity for some spending cash – led her to see what the MSA had to offer about three or four years ago.
"There were just so many people I know refereeing, so I thought this would be a fun job for me," she said. "It should be easy, so I just decided to take it on."
Hernando is considered Braden's home base.
"I think being a soccer player definitely helps when you're refereeing, just because you know intentions of the players, and you know what you would consider to be a foul or not a foul," she said.
Braden and her Lewisburg teammates entered this weekend's match at Corinth with a 12-3 record. The Patriots are a season removed from participating in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A North Half game.
"We've done really well this season with communication," Braden said. "I'm definitely looking forward to the playoffs, because I think we've really got a chance. This team has really come together."
Said Lewisburg coach Scotti Miles: "When someone comes from behind and defends the ball, it's like a rush – and Rylee brings that speed to our back line. She's a team player and very positive – just builds up her teammates. We're real lucky to have her."
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jack Flaherty throws in the third inning of Game 5 of their National League Division Series baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (Photo: The Associated Press)
Caravan to visit AutoZone Park
To ready the Bluff City for the 2020 baseball season, the St. Louis Cardinals Caravan is making a stop at AutoZone Park on Jan. 17.
Doors open at 6 p.m., with the program, which includes a Q-and-A session and autographs for children 15 and under, set to begin at 6:30 in the second-level Home Plate Club.
Scheduled attendees are Jack Flaherty, Tyler Webb, Justin Williams, Bo Hart and Justin Williams. The original lineup also included Randy Arozarena, yet the speedy outfielder was traded to Tampa Bay on Thursday.
Ranger volleyball tryout scheduled
Newly hired Northwest Mississippi Community College volleyball coach Allison Burchyett is set to conduct tryouts for the program's inaugural 2020 fall season on Jan. 23.
The event will be held at the McLendon Center on NWCC's Senatobia campus from 2 to 4 p.m. Interested participants are required to bring a copy of their current physical and a tryout waiver form, which can be downloaded at: nwccrangers.com. For more details, call (901) 351-3617.
Sunday Sports Brunch is a weekly look at movers, shakers and newsmakers on the Memphis sports scene, from youth level to the pros. If you have an item of interest, please contact Chris Van Tuyl at christopher.vantuyl@commercialappeal.com
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