Team of the Year

Pequannock

Coming off the best season in school history, Pequannock had a hard act to follow this year. Yet with a lot of talent returning, the Panthers had at least a shot at repeating each of the four banners it won in 2009. That Pequannock ended up with a single championship this time around can only be considered a mild disappointment.

The key to Pequannock's championship run last year was an offensive explosion late in the season. That just didn't happen this year, but the Panthers still managed to go 25-5 and repeat as Morris County champs, beating Morris Knolls (which went on to win a state title) in the final in a tight 2-1 contest.

Even as they continued to struggle to score runs, Pequannock made it back to the sectional final for a rematch with Indian Hills and its ace pitcher, Katie Enright. The score was the same as last year, but this time it was the Braves earning the 1-0 win, and subsequently going on to claim the Group II state title, just as the Panthers did last June.

Pequannock's major competition for this honor was West Milford, which also won 25 games and a county title. A longer run in the states and a slightly tougher schedule tipped the scales in favor of the Panthers.

The Panthers will lose several important players from this team, but with the emergence of sophomore pitcher Dana Nielsen, plus other key returnees, they'll be right back contending for more banners in 2011. As for this season, they are the JSN Softball Team of the Year.

Player of the Year

Sara Zambelli, West Milford

When talking about a great player, you often hear the phrase "she does everything for her team." It would be difficult to do much more than this junior did for the Highlanders. Playing a tremendous third base, she also was the linchpin in the West Milford offensive attack, with eight homers, 30 RBI and an average near .500.

Zambelli made her biggest mark in the Passaic County tournament final, when she blasted two long home runs to bring her team from behind in a 10-5 win over Pompton Lakes. In that game, as she did several other times during the season, Zambelli also came in to pitch for the Highlanders. She made key relief appearances in the county semifinal against Clifton, and to lock down coach Jim Dransfield's 500th career win early in the season.

The other deserving candidate for this award was Steph Pasquale of Pompton Lakes, who had another huge season for her team, with 12 homers and a .500-plus batting average. You'd have to give Pasquale the edge as a hitter, but we're going with Zambelli for her contributions in the circle and as a nod to her team's league and county championships.

Coach of the Year

Todd Callaghan, Whippany Park

Whippany Park has a remarkable legacy in softball, and the 2010 Wildcats added another chapter with their run to the sectional title.

It was a solid season for the Wildcats, who battled for their league championship as well and missed out due to two one-run losses. In the North 2, Group I playoffs, Whippany Park snatched victories from the jaws of defeat twice with late comebacks, then overwhelmed Hoboken in the sectional final.

Callaghan did some unorthodox things with his lineup, such as putting a slap hitter in the sixth hole, but they all worked out in the sectional playoffs. He also managed to keep his team calm during some tense moments. The future looks promising too, so Callaghan should have more chances to lead the Wildcats in big games.

-- Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now