Cyril senior Shekinah Gilliam is known as the hometown hero and a standout athlete from a long list of great athletes.
The family raised one All-State basketball player, one baseball player that was drafted out of high school by the Florida Marlins, then 10 years later along comes a surprise to keep the family sports tradition alive and well.
Shekinah was awarded the female Scholar Athlete of the Region.
Entering the season the Lady Pirates were ranked No. 1 in Class A, which put a big smile on the faces of the Gilliam family. The school and fans were excited to start the season. Pastor Donnie Miller led the community into renovating their softball field, pushing back the fence in the middle giving the stadium a deeper porch in center field. Now the stadium is known as the BIG BLUE, Cyril Lady Pirate Stadium. Gilliam hit an epic walk off homerun in her first home game this season and the legend began to grow.
Now a school record breaker, Gilliam was chosen to the All-Region and All-State teams, and led the Lady Pirates to a State runner-up finish. She was also selected as Miss Cyril High School and Most Respected this year. Her softball stats this season include 15 homeruns with the most RBI’s and best on base average. From the circle she accounted for 277 strikeouts in 30 games with no fielding errors. And who can forgot the memorable walk-off grand-slam?
Despite things not going their way in the state championship game, they family knew God’s grace is sufficient. Long time Pirate fan and retired President of the Cyril Bank Homer Thompson said, “She is just the everything softball here in Cyril.” One of her teammates said, “She was born to play the game. She was in a league of her own this season. It was amazing!”
Shekinah Star Gilliam will sign a scholarship to play for Seminole State and looks forward to working with coach Flores, a former Oklahoma 2-time Big 12 Player of the Year.
“I’ve met many of my goals but I still have my dream and that is to play in the Big 12 World Series back at the Hall of Fame Stadium on that same field. Softball has been life for me and my family. Home is the presence of God, green grass, and softball dirt, and I’m thankful to continue that journey,” said Gilliam.
Gilliam’s legacy at Cyril is clear. Hard work and dedication coupled with a passion for the game and a mental focus to see it through to your goals is the winning formula. Future players have the roadmap to follow and Gilliam has shown them the way.