Perry-Lecompton High coach Jill Larson-Bradney might have made a case for receiving the Journal-World’s All-Area Coach of the Year award on her positive attitude and loving personality alone.

However, her impressive 39-6 record during the past two seasons, including 19-3 this season, definitely pushes this nominee to the top.

According to PLHS pitcher Courtney Kasson, who received the All-Area Player of the Year, Larson-Bradney sometimes was too happy.

“We try to be serious, and she’s cracking jokes,” Kasson said. “But you can tell (coaching) means a lot to her.”

Perhaps the best situation that describes Larson-Bradney’s laid-back and fun coaching style came when the Kaws faced Mill Valley High in a midseason doubleheader. Shortstop Shelby Erickson ripped her pants during warm-ups, and Larson-Bradney used this to make jokes to loosen up the girls, who were coming off of a recent loss.

“One of our batters was having a bad game,” Kasson said. “(Coach) Bradney yelled, ‘Rip it like Shelby’s pants.’ The girl up to bat was trying so hard not to laugh, and then she got a stand-up triple over the left fielder’s head.”

Beyond the jokes, Larson-Bradney has a wealth of knowledge and experience. A former All-America third basemen for Kansas University, Larson-Bradney holds a Big Eight batting record. In addition to her playing career, she just finished her 16th season with the Kaws and 24th year coaching overall.

“With her knowledge. she put together a pretty decent softball team,” Kasson said. “She had a lot of talent in the lineup and really just fine-tuned it.”

This season, the team was coming back from its first-ever state tournament appearance in 2008, and ended up finishing in third place in the Kaw Valley League and second place at 4A regionals. Although winning comes naturally to Larson-Bradney and the Kaws, it is not what mattered most on the Perry-Lecompton High School softball diamond, according to the coach.

“One of the biggest things I like to focus on is the little things that make the big outcome,” Larson-Bradney said. “You help each girl become better, then as a team we are. When you set your goals real high, like go to state, you forget about what gets you there.”

This season, the All-Area Coach of the Year was more than just a coach with a love of the game. She had a love for her players to an extent that is rare to find in coaching, her players say.

“Coach Bradney is a very caring person,” Kasson said. “We had one of our players go through some hard things the past couple years, and she was always there. She is always there for all of us, smiling and trying to get us back up.”