To most on the outside looking in, the Norco softball team was a one-girl show. Those within the program know this was not the case.

Teagan Gerhart certainly was grabbing headlines with her brilliant pitching, but her teammates' support in the field and timely hitting proved just as valuable.

The first person to point that out is Gerhart.

"I can't do it all by myself. No pitcher can," the senior said after the Cougars' 2-0 win over Santa Clarita Hart in the Division 1 semifinals.

Norco (32-2) ended the season with 26 straight victories, including over league rival Corona Santiago in the Division 1 title game, and finished second in the USA Today national rankings.

For these reasons, the Norco softball team has been chosen the HS GameTime girls team of the year for the 2008-09 school year.

"Everyone was on the same page and everyone had the same goal," Coach Rick Robinson said. "The chemistry was perfect. No player ever felt they were better than anyone else."

And everyone played a part in the team's success, as twelve different players came up with game-winning hits throughout the season. Some of the biggest hits came from Gerhart's sisters, Kelsey and Whitley.

And the contributions weren't limited to the nine regular starters.

"The five reserves often joked at how loud they were cheering at each game," Robinson said. "Of course they wanted to be out on the field playing, but no matter what, they were there to support their teammates.

"It was one of those truly special years. There wasn't a bad day with this team."

Reach Eric-Paul Johnson at 951-368-9530 or ejohnson@PE.com

STORY: Boys team of the year