Lady Rebels celebrate Kitchens’ career in bittersweet playoff opener
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Richton softball must bounce back today after dropping Game 1 to Bogue Chitto
A host of former Richton High School softball players were on hand Thursday night to pay tribute to Head Coach James Kitchens prior to the Lady Rebels taking on Bogue Chitto in the opening round of the MHSAA playoffs. Kitchens announced recently he was stepping down as the Lady Rebels’ coach after leading the program for over two decades. Photo by STAN CALDWELL
By STAN CALDWELL – Dispatch Correspondent
For 22 seasons, James Kitchens has been the face of Richton High softball.
But when the 2026 season comes to an end, and it could come as early as this weekend, there will be a new face leading the Rebels.
Kitchens announced earlier this month that he would be stepping down as softball coach at RHS, ending a successful tenure. Kitchens will remain at Richton in an administrative role and will also serve as an assistant football coach.
“I’ve got 22 years in it, and it starts to wear you down,” Kitchens said. “I just started feeling like I didn’t have the energy to give them the full practice like I used to, to give them what they needed with them being so young.”
With the Class 1A playoffs getting underway Thursday night, the Richton community took time to celebrate Kitchens’ legacy in a ceremony preceding the Rebels’ playoff opener against Bogue Chitto.
Former players from throughout Kitchens’ tenure met on the field to honor their coach, and several spoke about what he’s meant to them.
“I played here when he first started here,” said Kasey Russin, who played for the Rebels in the mid-2000s. “He’s really meant a lot to the community here.”
Unfortunately, the game itself didn’t live up to the pregame expectations, as the Bobcats took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three game first-round series with a 14-2 victory. Bogue Chitto scored eight runs in the top of the first inning, and never looked back.
Coach James Kitchens is shown encouraging his players after a rough start in the Lady Rebels’ loss to Bogue Chitto in the first round of the State 1A Playoffs. Photo by STAN CALDWELL
Richton (9-10-1) must win Game 2 Friday at Bogue Chitto to force a deciding third game back home on Saturday.
“You take the first inning away, and we did OK, but we dropped our heads in that first inning and we didn’t play ball,” said Kitchens. “We just didn’t hit it; you saw that. You’ve got to hit in this game. Our kids are young, and they’re still trying to figure it out.”
“We’ve got to go back out tomorrow and hit the ball.”
Kitchens took over as head coach upon the retirement of the late Danny Buckelew, who guided the Richton program for many seasons and left some big shoes to fill.
“He means a lot to me personally,” said Rylee Black, the only senior on the Rebel squad. “He’s been with me since I was in seventh grade, and we’ve been through some times together. He’s been the best coach we could possibly have. He’s like Grandpa to us; he’s family.”
Kitchens wasn’t sure what was happening at first when former players started filing onto the field, as the pregame ceremony was a surprise, but he took it in stride.
“I told myself that this would be a good time to get someone younger in here to grow with these young ones we have coming back, to help the program reach the next level,” Kitchens said.
Kitchens’ wife Katie helped organize the pregame ceremony and managed to keep it close to her vest until it was showtime.
“Miss Katie told me about it before the game,” said Black. “I thought it was so sweet. He really needed it, and he deserved it.”
The Bobcats rapped out six hits in their decisive first-inning rally, sending 12 batters to the plate before junior pitcher Eliza Kelly could get out of the inning.
“I just told them to get their heads up and play ball,” said Kitchens. “I’ve always preached that there is always going to be adversity in every game you play, and some things you just have to overcome. If you keep battling, good things will happen.”
Bogue Chitto (8-19) rode a fine pitching effort from eighth-grade right-hander Jonna Claire Roberts, who scattered seven hits, struck out 10 and walked just one.
“She pitched me a lot outside, and the umpire was giving her the outside pitch on me at least,” said Black. “I think we can hit her. We just have to bring it tomorrow. We’ve seen her today, and we kind of know what to expect, so we should be better tomorrow.”
The Bobcats added two more runs in the top of the third, to put the run rule into effect, but the Rebels were able to extend the game with a run in the fourth and one in the fifth after Bogue Chitto made it 11-1 in the top of the fifth.
Kelly led off the bottom of the fourth with a single, took second on a passed ball, went to third on a single by sophomore Jayla Hibbler and scored on a sacrifice fly to centerfield off the bat of sophomore Michaela Kelly.
In the fifth, sophomore Cartier Daughdrill drove in sophomore Brayleigh Parker with a two out single to cut the deficit to nine runs and extend the game.
Friday’s game is set for a 6:30 p.m. start, with the time for Saturday’s rubber game, if necessary, to be determined later.
A host of formerx Richton High School softball players were on hand Thursday as their
“It’s going to be sad, really sad, when it’s over,” said Black. “It’s been a constant for me for six years, with these girls and the friendships we’ve made, especially with Coach Kitchens. That’s going to be the biggest heartbreak.
“But I’ve had the best six years. I’m going out with a great group of girls, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
