Billie Weeks of Concord High School watches as the softball takes off during a recent game against Hanover-Horton.
By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
A Cascades Conference coach leaned over and told his assistant coach “that was a win” after Concord High School slugger Billie Weeks hit a sharp single to left field.
Nobody scored, Weeks did not hit the ball over the fence, and his pitcher was not forced to walk her.
Weeks is quietly hitting close to .650, has four home runs and has a slugging percentage of 1.389.
She would have better stats through the first couple of weeks of the season but other teams have noticed her hitting prowess. Weeks was walked seven times in a doubleheader against Reading.
But what may be more impressive is Weeks is also competing in track and field at a high level. While a number of athletes “specialize” in one sport, Weeks will finish 2018-2019 with four varsity letters and possibly 14 for her career at Concord.
“Being from a small school, you have to go where you are needed,” Weeks said of participating in more than one sport at a time. “It is still fun and I don’t like to sit around.
“Plus, I can’t find one that I want to take out.”
While softball is her primary sport – she will always compete in a softball game if there is a scheduling conflict between the two sports – track and field may be the sport that takes her to the highest level in college athletics. Weeks and her track and field coaches believes she could compete in the heptathlon in college. That event consists of high hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200-meter dash, long jump, javelin, and 800 meters.
In track this season, Week has already placed first in the high jump, shot put and long jump at various meets.
Weeks believes she could compete in Division 1 or Division 2 in softball or track and field.
To get to that level, she has to get noticed.
“I am sure if I went to a bigger school and faced better competition it would be easier,” Weeks said. “It is something I am working toward.”
For instance, last week after a track and field meet at home Weeks could be seen with her travel softball Coach Angie Thompson taking batting practice until the sun went down.
She has also been known to squeeze in practice in field events for track and field after softball games.
“My coaches have been really good at making time for me,” Weeks said.
But the junior has been dominant in all sports this season. In volleyball, she led the Yellow Jackets in kills and digs.
This season in basketball Weeks averaged 18 points per game, 14 rebounds and nearly three assists per game. She was named as an honorable mention all-state player by the Michigan Basketball Coaches of Michigan for her efforts.
Billie Weeks
School: Concord High School junior
Sports: Volleyball, basketball, softball and track and field
Stats: Through April 23, Weeks is hitting .639 with an on base percentage of .729. She has four home runs, 13 RBIs, 21 runs, 23 hits and 12 walks. Weeks has only struck out twice all season.
Quote: “Being from a small school, you have to go where you are needed.”
