Somehow, new Warren Central fast-pitch softball coach Chris Perrett and assistant Jessie Gough will try to find time to squeeze in some practice for the Lady Vikes. These days it’s not easy, considering both coaches are still involved with winter sports.

Perrett is WC’s ninth-grade boys basketball coach and an assistant to Jesse Johnson’s varsity club. Gough is an assistant coach for the Lady Vikes’ soccer team. Both teams still have a slew of games to play this month and into Feburary.

&#8220It’s a juggling act,” said Perrett, who began practice with the softball team on Monday. &#8220We were able to practice when school was out, but January is going to be pretty slim for us. About all we can do is conditioning and work on their cuts in the cage.”

Gough said the routine is similar with her role with the soccer team.

”It’s tough and it’s going to be some extra long hours at the end of January,” Gough said. &#8220We were able to work some last week. Before I go to soccer practice, I have them running.”

Perrett expects to be tied up with the Vikings hoops team until at least the divisional tournament in mid-Feburary.

&#8220That leaves us a couple of weeks before the season starts later in February,” he said.

Perrett did not have this problem at his last job as fast-pitch coach at Central Hinds Academy. The Mississippi Private School Association plays its fast-pitch season in the fall.

&#8220At Central Hinds, we got them right before school starts,” said Perrett, who coached at the Raymond school for seven years, compiling a 50-31 record.

Perrett will be replacing longtime Lady Vikes coach Lucy Young, who announced in December she would step down as the fast-pitch coach, but continue to coach slow-pitch.

&#8220I’m excited about the opportunity,” Perrett said. Last year the Lady Vikes went 24-7 and made it to the South State 5A semifinals before falling to Oak Grove.

Gough said the Lady Vikes need time to adjust to Perrett’s philosophy.

&#8220He’s bringing in a whole new style and they’ll be learning a lot,” Gough said.

Roster-wise, Perrett and Gough will have to totally re-tool the Lady Vikes’ pitching staff which was devastated by graduation.

Gone is all of the staff, which included Vicksburg Post Player of the Year Lauren Anderson, who went 78-43 over six-year career, and All-County performer Brittany Fuller who is now playing at William Carey College.

&#8220We’ve got to try and get some pitching,” Perrett said.

Gough, a former Warren Central player and assistant last season, said the Lady Vikes will need to grow up in a hurry.

&#8220We’re looking at four,” Gough said. &#8220We’ve got Tiffany Fuller back. We’ve got a seventh grader who is coming up along with a ninth grader who is learning and an eighth grader who is new to the team. We’re going to be really young, but our infield should be solid.”