COURTLAND—DeMone’ Brickhouse has turned her lifetime love of softball into the opportunity of a lifetime. The recent Southampton High School graduate has accepted an athletic scholarship to play college softball and will be enrolled in classes this fall at Virginia State University.

A three-sport athlete, she also competed for the Indians in basketball and field hockey in addition to playing four years on the varsity softball team.

Her love for softball began at an early age. “I started in the Newsoms rec league since I was 7, and I’ve been playing ever since,” said Brickhouse, who goes by the name “Dee.” In addition to playing county and high school ball, she also competed with the Southampton Storm travel team.

As a junior, Brickhouse earned 1st team All-District and 2nd team All-Region honors as an outfielder for the Lady Indians, but as a senior transitioned to the infield, splitting time at both shortstop and second base. According to head coach Susan Melbye, the honors she received this year were even more impressive. “It was a big deal, because we moved her from the outfield to the infield this year and she still made 1st team All-District and 2nd team All- Region.” A .355 batting average and her excellence in the field led to her being named the team’s MVP this year.

Brickhouse plans on majoring in sports management at Virginia State, and hopes for a career as either a sports agent or an athletic trainer.