The Valley View Blazers had one of the most dominant seasons in the state’ s history finishing 31-2 and raising another trophy at the end of last season, claiming the 5A State title, their second in four straight finals appearances. Coach Josh Allison has plenty of firepower back to make another run at the state championship. Senior Drew Gartman leads the way at shortstop for the Blazers. The Arkansas State signee hit. 388, scored 33 runs with 22 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. Gartman has tremendous speed and is a great defender along with a reliable bat at the top of the lineup. Fellow senior Jayde Taylor returns to the outfield where he hit. 328 scoring 22 runs with two homeruns and 19 RBIs. Taylor battled arm issues through 13 innings pitched, claiming a 2.69 ERA and 14 strikeouts. He looks to be near the top of rotation this season with a healthy arm hitting the upper 80s with his fastball and nasty slider. Junior outfielder Owen Roach hit. 327 with two homeruns, 33 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases while scoring 36 runs for the Blazers. Coach Allison calls Roach“ the best player nobody talks about” as he was great protection to Arizona Diamondback draftee Slade Caldwell last season. Keaton Mathis is back after missing most of the season with an injury last season. The catcher hit. 306 with six doubles in limited action last season and showed promise on the mound going 3-0 in nine innings pitched without giving up a run. Mathis is one of the top catchers in the state with three division one offers. He also was instrumental in the finals run his freshman year and should see time on the mound with a mid-80s fastball. Noah Ragsdale is back on the infield, creating a strong middle with Gartman. Ragsdale hit. 250 last season scoring 14 runs, and hit. 500 in the state tournament earning All-Tournament honors. A group of talented players who have patiently waited their turn to shine add a lot of depth to this Valley View lineup. Cohen Zaffarano pitched 13 innings last season and got two big saves against Maumelle and Rogers. Zaffarano posted a 1.61 ERA with 14 strikeouts and has a low to mid 80s fastball. Levi Martin is a hard throwing pitcher that could be a conference starter after moving in this season. Martin hits the upper 80s with his fastball and has three pitches he can throw for strikes. Cannon Driskill is another player who moved in that can play the infield, hit line drives, and provide speed on the base paths. Jacksonville State commit Madden Tatum could provide depth on the mound and at the plate. Tatum has light tower power at the plate and an upper 80s fastball with an electric slider. Sophomore Will Findley is a smooth infielder with good power and could also pitch several innings for the Blazers. With so many good players up and down the roster, Coach Allison says one concern he has is finding enough playing time to the number of players that deserve to play. Valley View has hitters up and down the lineup, good depth in the bullpen, and a great defense behind whoever is throwing. The Blazers are looking to fill the spots left by seven graduating seniors, but the talent is undeniable and Valley View should be one of the favorites to make a fifth straight finals appearance.
The Valley View Lady Blazers continued their winning ways in 2024. Coach Karen Sanders’ team finished 21-9 as 5A East co-conference champs and made it all the way to the semifinals of the 5A State tournament falling to eventual champion Sheridan in a one run game. In 2025, the Lady Blazers will have to fill a void in the circle left by All-State pitcher Riley Smith. Coach Sanders says they will have to have some players step up in that role, but loves her team’ s defense and offensive capabilities.“ Our defense led us last year and will continue to lead us this season, along with our bats and speed on the base paths,” Coach Sanders said.“ Our pitching will be a committee based on a lot of different speeds and pitches from 5-6 different ones.” Seniors Mackenzie Whitlock, Racey Talley, Lacey French, Reese Riley, and Shelsi McElhannon will provide the leadership for a lot of familiar faces up and down the Valley View lineup. Whitlock will be near the top of the order and serves as the tone setter. Talley has speed on the basepaths and a great arm in the field, while French will hold down first base and showcase her power at the plate. Riley also has a lot of power at the plate and will roam the outfield defensively. Coach Sanders calls McElhannon the team’ s MVP with how she leads on and off the field. Junior Ashlyn Beale is back after leading the team in most offensive categories last season. She is an explosive hitter that could land anywhere on the infield. Sophomore Ellie Dawson had a great freshman year and came up clutch in the state quarterfinals with a big hit against Greenwood to send the Lady Blazers to the semifinals. Freshmen Aubrey Burton and Avery Ellis will make an immediate impact on the field this season, and LJ Thomas will be back and healthy after being hurt most of last season. The goals will stay the same for Coach Sanders and the Valley View Blazers this season. The 5A East will once again be tough, but the Lady Blazers should be right in the hunt again. NEA sports predicts that Valley View will battle at the top of the league, with a chance to make another run in the postseason.
The Pocahontas Lady Redskins finished last season at 10-5 just missing out on the regional tournament. This season, Coach Kaydra Cole will look to a young group of Lady Skins to get to the regional tournament out of a new look 4A-3 conference. Kenzie Ogden leads the way for Pocahontas. Ogden hit. 487 from the leadoff position and led the team in RBIs. Violet Lynch caught last year, and her strong arm will allow her to play multiple positions this year. Injuries limited her season, but Lynch hit. 526 when she was available. Bailey O’ Donnell will be back in the circle after a good freshman campaign. O’ Donnell struck out 95 and ended the season with a 2.68 ERA. Jayna Lindquist hit. 421 from the three hole and was one of the top slugging percentages on the team, while Marissa McDonald played right field and has become a valuable asset to the team. Coach Cole says she has seven freshmen that will see the field and play a big role for the Lady Redskins this season. Coach Cole says her team is young but ready.“ We are a young team again this year, I have seven freshmen, five sophomores, and a junior,” she said.“ Definitely going to be some challenges along the way but we can overcome them. There have been a lot of softball games played between all my girls. They just need to have confidence in themselves.” With only six teams in the new look 4A-3 and a talented group of youngsters, NEA Sports predicts the Pocahontas Lady Redskins will return to the regional tournament this season.