In a major recognition of athletic excellence, Lillie-Faye McWhorter of Woodlawn High School has been named the 2024-25 Gatorade Arkansas Softball Player of the Year, Gatorade announced today. The award is part of the program’s 40th year honoring the nation’s most elite high school athletes.
Widely considered the highest honor in high school sports, the Gatorade Player of the Year award celebrates athletes who excel on the field, in the classroom, and in their communities. McWhorter now joins a distinguished list of alumni that includes Olympic medalists, professional athletes, CEOs, and elite coaches, such as Cat Osterman, Rachel Garcia, and Addisen Fisher.
A 5-foot-10 senior right-handed pitcher, McWhorter led the Woodlawn Bears to a 32-5 record and a berth in the 2A state semifinals this past season. Her dominance in the circle was unmatched: she posted a 22-1 record, struck out 285 batters while issuing just 31 walks over 124 innings, and did not allow a single earned run all season. She also threw five no-hitters and finished with an astonishing 0.44 WHIP.
Offensively, McWhorter was just as formidable, finishing with a .483 batting average, 41 RBIs, six home runs, and an OPS of 1.445.
“She was very dominant in the circle when we faced her—she commanded her pitches well and threw with very good velocity,” said Drake Snyder, head coach at Star City High School. “She kept her team in every ball game just with her pitching. She was vital to their success.”
Beyond athletics, McWhorter is a standout in the classroom with a 4.08 GPA. She is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and Beta Club, and has volunteered as a youth softball and basketball coach, in addition to participating in various community service initiatives. She has signed a letter of athletic aid to continue her softball career at the University of Arkansas this fall.
Each year, the Gatorade Player of the Year program recognizes top athletes in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 12 sports. One national winner is named in each sport. Winners are selected by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which includes coaches, scouts, and media representatives.
In addition to the individual honor, every Gatorade Player of the Year receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner, as part of Gatorade’s mission to remove barriers in youth sports. To date, the program has donated over $5.6 million to more than 2,000 organizations nationwide.
For more information on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com or follow the program on Instagram (@Gatorade), Facebook (@GatoradePOY), or X/Twitter (@Gatorade).
