~ Kelley Smiddie, Chattanooga Times Free Press 3/23/07

At the present time, no one is going to mistake Tennessee Temple for being one of the Chattanooga area’s potent high school softball programs. If it becomes one, the groundwork being laid now is anchored by one important cornerstone.

This spring marks the third season of softball at Temple, the second for Amanda Jordan, the program’s first college signee. She has signed with Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.

Before coming to Temple, Jordan had not been involved with a softball program at a school. After graduating from Apison Elementary, she was home schooled for five years, proving the theory that if you’re good enough, the college coaches will find you.

Jordan began playing summer softball at the East Brainerd Recreational Center when she was four. She has played the last four years with the Tennessee Edge basked in Nashville.

“Softball is pretty much my love,” Jordan said.

The same can’t be said for all of Jordan’s teammates. Many are new to the game.

Jordan , a 6-footer who plays shortstop and catcher, is free to pass along her knowledge to her teammates. Her father, Chris, is Temple’s head coach.

The last two years Amanda also played basketball for the Lady Crusaders. There she had the chance to observe Mississippi State signee Danielle Rector and her behavior toward teammates.

“Me and Danielle were close before, but now we’ve gotten closer,” Amanda said. “I saw how she would treat the girls with just as much respect as she would a girl at her own talent level. She’s very patient, very helpful. She didn’t get on them so much as teach them. She’s a very good leader to follow. I’m definitely able to relate to her.”

Temple played 12 games last softball season. Amanda struck out twice and hit seven homeruns.

“I usually bat her third or fourth, or I’ll try to hide her if I can, like if we’re playing somebody that doesn’t know her,” her father said, “I’ve tried her at leadoff and I’ve tried her on down in the order. It usually doesn’t take real long to figure out not to give her anything. She has to wait on mistakes.”

Jordan has received many athletic honors at Temple. She’s also engaged with various church and community organizations, and was nominated for Miss Temple and homecoming queen this school year.

A District 5-A softball championship would be nice to add to the resume, but Dad said he’s not sure if that’s possible yet.

“If we had stronger pitching, maybe,” Coach Jordan said. “We can compete defensively and with the bats. It’s a building process. We’ve got to be patient until our pitching comes along.”

Perhaps a district title will come when younger sister Maria comes up. She’s currently an seventh-grader at Temple.

As for the building process, the Lady Crusaders extended District 6-AA’s Bledsoe County to eight innings Thursday at Pikeville before losing by a run. Their foundation went 1-2 and scored both of Temple’s runs.

“We’ve got a young team but the girls came along tremendously from the beginning of last season to the end,” Amanda said, “Yes, a lot of the girls are still learning the sport, but to see them actually go out and do what they’ve been taught and have fun playing a great sport, that’s what I’d like to see.”