While Hartley has had tremendous success on the hardcourt , he has seen success on the baseball diamond as well serving as a gold glove centerfielder with elite speed running the base paths . “ Baseball has been fun but definitely not my best sport ,” said Kaden . “ We made it to the second round of state two years ago and it is something I ’ ll never forget . Our group this year is really young , and we lost one of our best players but going to make the best of it being my last year !” During that run in the postseason , Hartley ’ s sophomore year , he was called upon in a dire situation in the semifinals of the regional tournament over in Lake City . The Yellowjackets were depleted of pitching after an 11 inning instant classic in the first round that propelled them to the state tournament the day before . Kaden was called on that day out of the bullpen in the first inning . He came on to fire six plus innings in a 3-2 victory over the eventual state runner-up Palestine Wheatley . “ We switched to Hartley early in the semifinal game ,” told former Bay Yellowjacket baseball coach Nolan Smith . “ You wouldn ’ t have thought he was a sophomore out there that threw six excellent innings to give us a chance to win . He was ready for the moment and it showed . He ’ s a competitor and a winner . Winners win . That ’ s what he did for us . “ Hartley had pitched in a limited number of games that year but his arm proved to be the difference in a win that sent the Jackets to the 2A North Regional Tournament title game . “ I don ’ t think I ’ ve ever had more confidence than that game . It was probably my favorite game I ’ ve played . It ’ s crazy to think that team made it to the state finals and we beat them . That game really showed me what I was capable of and how good of a player I can be when I ’ m positive and have confidence . Sports has taught me so many lessons in life and the reason I am the person I am today .”
Hartley has run into some bad luck early in the 2024-2025 basketball season . He suffered a high ankle sprain and was forced to miss several games . Upon his return , he came down on his left wrist and suffered a break during a game against the Blytheville Chickasaws . Through it all , he is hoping to get back on the floor while still finding a way to help his teammates . “ Sitting on the bench and having to watch really sucks . I try to be like a coach to my teammates and help them every way possible . I hope to come back and be as healthy as possible .” Coach Halbrook chimed in on Hartley ’ s current injury and his thoughts on Kaden as his student / athlete . “ Hartley is a winner in every facet of life ,” exclaimed Halbrook . “ He ’ s a hard worker , great role model , phenomenal teammate , and will give a stranger the shirt off his back if they needed it . When you ’ re a coach you hear a lot of different opinions about your players on and off the court but with Hartley , it ’ s always the same answer and that ’ s that he is a great young man . He ’ s had an unfortunate break to start the season , and he ’ s handled it with class . Hoping when he returns , he will have the ending to his senior season that he deserves .”
We can only hope Kaden misses as little time as possible and finds his way back to hardcourt sooner than later . It ’ s his presence on the floor that will help lead the Yellowjackets to a late season run and put an exclamation mark on his storied and successful career at Bay .