The Cedar Ridge Timberwolves finished last season with a 22-11 record and made it all the way to the final four before dropping a close one to traditional power Woodlawn. Coach Kevin Arms only lost three players from last season, but is looking for players to step up in the heart of the order. Coach Arms believes pitching and defense wins games, and he has three good arms back this year. Kyle Provence is back at shortstop where he hit. 390 with four homeruns, 27 RBIs, 45 runs scored, and 28 stolen bases. Provence earned five wins on the mound while striking out 52. Aiden Jones will catch, pitch, and play shortstop when Provence is on the mound. Jones hit. 406 last season with two homeruns, 30 RBIs, 30 runs scored, and 28 stolen bases. He was huge on the mound for the T-wolves earning 11 wins and striking out 119 batters. Wes Horton is a utility guy who could play the corners on the infield or in the outfield. He also will throw more innings in the rotation for Cedar Ridge. Horton hit. 270 with 20 RBIs and 20 runs scored and also earned three wins with 24 strikeouts on the mound. Jace McNeil, Lawson Bruce, Cadyn Stephens, and Dawson Engles will all provide some depth to the bullpen. McNeil and Engles will patrol the outfield, while Bruce, Stephens, and Colby Fears will play on the infield. Stephens could also help behind the plate when needed. Transfer D. J. Brown could land a spot in the infield or outfield, while newcomer Ty Ward looks to make an impact on the infield and at the plate. The Cedar Ridge Timberwolves have enough pieces returning to make another run this season. Look for the Twolves to battle for a 2A-2 conference title and make it back to the postseason where they could have another magical run.
The Cedar Ridge Lady Timberwolves are looking to improve on last season’ s 6-16 record. Coach Rebecca Rider has several returning players who have improved over the last offseason in hopes of making some noise in the 2A-2. Bella Arms returns to the circle for the Lady T-wolves where she will pitch most of the innings. Reagan Skaggs could also help eat up some innings as well. Lynlee Bruce, Addison Owens, Leilah Campbell, and Brooke Wright all return game experience for Cedar Ridge. Several new additions will have to step up in bigger roles and contribute this season. Hallie Hayes, Aubrey Day, Vada Day, Zoey Fears, Addi McClain, Alivia James, Mia Magness, Shelby Pankey, Thalissa Cruz, and Mia Garcia all could make a big impact on the Lady Timberwolf lineup. Coach Rider will need to find a way to mesh the returners with a young and inexperienced group of talented newcomers, but that shouldn’ t be hard as Coach Rider shared that she has great kids that work extremely hard. Look for the Cedar Ridge Lady Timberwolves to show improvement and be in the mix for one of the final regional spots out of the 2A-2 conference.
Coach Daniel Fitts and the East Poinsett County Warriors have set goals for themselves and have a young talented group that Coach Fitts believes can get the job done. Six starters return for EPC with four good arms at the top of the pitching rotation.“ I expect to have a good year,” Coach Fitts said.“ We ' ve talked as a team about our goals. We want to finish in the top three in our conference. I think this is obtainable for this team. Another goal of ours as a team would be to make it to regionals and see how far we can go from there. I know these kids are capable of reaching our goals.” Eli Blagg, Cayden Kimbrell, Laiden Rollins, and Hayden Stone will be the main guys on the mound, with a couple of other guys eating up a few innings. The Warriors will have new middle infielders this year with Creed Neal, Cayden Worsham, Hunter Rolland, and Landen McCord all guys that play second base, shortstop, or third base. They are all similar players who could move around where needed. Hayden Stone, Jack Glover, and Kris Sfakianos are other players that can be used at any position. The outfield is a solid piece for this team Coach Fitts said. Laiden Rollins, Dee Buchanan, and Lane Dirlam are returning starters who play the field well. Newcomers would include Allen Corbin, Porter Russell, Trip Sanders, Bari Sheppard, Cam Thomas, Paul Gilmer and Trent Stone. Corbin is an athletic kid with a nice swing who will be at first base, while Russell will back him up at first. Sanders is a utility player who could fill in anywhere, while Sheppard and Thomas are athletic football guys who wanted to give baseball a try. Gilmer and Stone should add depth to the outfield after a short hiatus from baseball.“ We have been doing a lot of individual and team fielding in practice,” Coach Fitts shared.“ We want to be able to make the routine plays. We ' ve worked on communication as well. We always want to be on the same page in the field and on the base paths.” The East Poinsett County Warriors should show considerable improvement this season and have an opportunity to play for one of the final regional spots this season.
The East Poinsett County Lady Warriors finished 17-10 last season falling in the first round of the 2A state tournament. Coach Brandon Powell has a wealth of experience returning this season to help get the Lady Warriors back to the state tournament. A couple of four year starters lead the way for EPC with Kelly Lucas at second base and Mercedes Reel in centerfield. Lucas has great range on the infield, good speed, and puts the ball in play on offense. Reel has a great first step in the outfield and great bat speed at the plate to help her hit with power. Riley Ashcraft is a three year starter at third base where she handles the hot corner routinely and brings the most power on the team to the plate. Kelly Ashcraft is across the diamond at first base for the third year and had the best bat in the postseason for the Lady Warriors. Madilyn Strop is back in right field where she has a high IQ and a lefty bat that hits the ball well. Kylee Henderson returns to the circle after striking out 180 batters in 27 games last season and held opponents to a. 245 batting average. Henderson also had the best average at over. 400 to help her own cause. Her battery mate, Karmen Jones will be behind the plate. At the plate, Jones has a good eye and swings at good pitches. Brooklyn Moore and Kadyn Servadio are both move-ins that will help tremendously. Moore should fit in at shortstop and at the top of the lineup, while Servadio is a solid infielder that could play multiple positions. Coach Powell listed a few keys for his team to have success this season.“ Pitching and defense without a doubt are key,” he said.“ We have to make fewer defensive mistakes than a year ago, and give up less walks in the circle.” The East Poinsett County Warriors know what it takes to get the state title game, and they have been working to reach that pinnacle once again. Look for EPC to battle near the top of the 2A-3 conference and be one of the teams that could make a deep run in the postseason.