Durant star back for another title try

The way Kelsey Horton sees it, she has a little unfinished business to take care of next week. After starting for a Durant volleyball team that was the Class 6A state runnerup, Horton is now two wins away from being part of a state championship softball squad. And, well, she's more than a little pumped.

"It's one game at a time right now," Horton said. "But if we get past that first game, it will be so exciting."

The Cougars advanced to the final four with a 3-1 win Tuesday over West Orange, ending the Warriors' 15-game winning streak. They face Palm Beach Gardens in one state semifinal May 9 at Plant City Stadium.

Horton, a junior, plays shortstop for Durant and is hitting a team-best .431. She's a Florida Gator commit, but won't be an infielder in Gainesville. In college, Horton plans to play catcher.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR