Player of year
Brady McGee, Jr., Lake, SS/P
Why he’s here: McGee was a standout both at the plate and on the mound for the Hornets. At the plate, McGee led the team with a .456 batting average. He had six home runs, 10 doubles and stole 24 bases. On the mound, McGee had eight wins for the Hornets and struck out 109 batters.
Pitchers
Hayze West, Sr., Newton County, P/SS
Why he’s here: After spending two years at Newton County Academy, West transferred back to Newton County and didn’t miss a beat. West had a big year at the plate with a .402 batting average with three home runs, 13 doubles and 30 RBIs. But on the mound, West got stronger as the year went on as he finished with an 8-3 record with a 2.77 ERA in 55 2/3 innings pitched with 78 strikeouts. West is an East Central signee and was a first-team all-division pick.
Ben Myers, Sr., Sebastopol, P
Why he’s here: Myers had a solid season for the Bobcats, both on the mound and at the plate. Myers had a 4-1 record and 56 strikeouts in 33 innings pitched. Myers was also selected to play in the Crossroads Diamond Club All-star baseball game.
David Burton, Sr., Newton County, P/1B
Why she’s here: Burton was an early signee for the Cougars and a first-team all-division selection for the Cougars this season. Burton had a .404 batting average with three home runs, six doubles and 16 RBIs. On the mound, the hard-throwing Burton had a 4-3 record and 84 strikeouts with a 3.42 ERA in 57 1/3 innings pitched. An East Central signee, Burton was also elected to play in the Crossroad Diamond Club Class 3A/4A All-star game.
Infielders
Rope Lovern, Jr., Union, 1B
Why he’s here: Lovern was a solid defensive first baseman for the Yellowjackets this season. At the plate, Lovern had a .407 batting average with 33 hits on the season. He also had six doubles and one home run.
Easton Tune, Sr., Lake, 3B
Why he’s here: Tune emerged as an offensive threat for the Hornets this season. Tune had a .400 batting average with one home run, 10 doubles and 29 RBIs.
Lee Hollingsworth, Sr., NCA, 3B/P
Why he’s here: Hollingsworth had a big season for the Generals, who made a late charge to win the district and make the Class 2A semifinals. Hollingsworth led the team with a .437 batting average with seven doubles, one home runs and 27 RBIs. On the mound, Hollingsworth was 3-1 in 27 1/3 innings pitched and had 47 strikeouts. Hollingsworth was also named the district’s Most Valuable Offensive Player.
Ethan Boleware, Sr., Sebastopol, SS/3B/1B/P
Why he’s here: Boleware was another early signee for East Central Community College and a standout for the Bobcats. Boleware led the area with a .471 batting average with eight doubles, three triples, four home runs and 41 RBIs. Boleware was also selected to play in the Crossroads Diamond Club Class 1A/2A All-star game.
Jacob Williams, Jr., Sebastopol, P/1B
Why he’s here: Williams is a multi-sport standout for the Bobcats but had a big year on the diamond. Williams had a .443 batting average with five doubles, five home runs and 33 RBIs. Williams is also a standout on the football field and already has an offer from East Central.
Outfielders
Kel Harrison, Soph., Lake, CF
Why he’s here: Harrison also emerged as a threat at the plate for the Hornets this season. Harrison had a .429 batting average with three triples, 10 doubles and 27 RBIs. Harrison was also a threat on the base pads with 17 stolen bases.
Jax Porter, Sr., NCA, OF/P
Why he’s here: Porter emerged as an all-around threat for the Generals this season. Porter was solid at the plate with a .406 batting average. He also had eight doubles, one triple, 20 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Porter also saw plenty of time on the mound with a 4-4 record in 32 innings pitched and 65 strikeouts. He was also an all-district selection.
Tyler Cavenaugh, Sr., Newton County, 1B/RF/P
Why he’s here: Cavenaugh was a solid utility player for the Cougars this past season, playing both infield and outfield. At the plate, Cavenaugh had a .283 batting average with three home runs, six doubles and 17 RBIs. Cavenaugh also led the team with six sacrifice bunts and nine hit by pitch. He was also a first-team all-division selection.
Catcher
Peyton Posey, Sr., Union, C
Why he’s here: Posey was solid behind the plate for the Yellowjackets this season. Posey had a .352 batting average with 25 hits, seven doubles and three home runs. Posey also signed to play football at East Central.
Utility
Jaylon Buckley, Sr., Union, 3B/P/DH
Why he’s here: Buckley had another solid season at the plate for the Yellowjackets. Buckley hit .435 for the Yellowjackets with 37 hits, five doubles, two triples and three home runs. Buckley was also solid on the mound with a 4.13 ERA in 39 innings pitched. He had 64 strikeouts to lead the team. Buckley signed with Northwest Mississippi Community College.
Austin Upton, Sr., NCA, P/1B
Why he’s here: Upton emerged as NCA’s best player this season and had a standout season both on the mound and at the plate. Upton had a .419 batting average with eight doubles and 32 RBIs. On the mound, Upton had a 5-5 record in 48 2/3 innings pitched with a 3.59 ERA and 63 strikeouts. Upton was also named the district’s Most Valuable Player.
Kenny Ray Hanna, Soph., Lake, 1B/P
Why he’s here: Hanna emerged in the middle of the lineup for the Hornets. Hanna hit .385 in the cleanup spot and had four doubles and 22 RBIs for the Hornets.
