Licensed to Thrill Jake Wheeler, Pierce County
Blazer Bound
GAME SOUTHEAST GEORGIA
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IN THE
SEGA Baseball Player Profiles
April 2018
Derrin Cox Ware County
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e u s s I s i h tT
SEGA Baseball Player Profiles
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Blue Collar Coach
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No Offseason
Trent Mongero, Glynn Academy Bryce Reilly, Glynn Middle School
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Baseball Coach Bids Farewell, Football in Sight Bacon County
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Seniors Lead the Way
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Licensed to Thrill
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Raining Buckets
Derrin Cox, Ware County Jake Wheeler, Pierce County
Ware County
Pierce County
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HOME OF THE LIFETIME WARRANTY
SEGA Baseball
Player Profiles Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: Jennifer Carter Johnson
The high school baseball season is well under way across the state and especially here in Southeast Georgia as teams battle for a playoff spot in their respective classifications. As always, our region of the state is well represented with several teams at or near the top of their classifications' weekly polls. I’m sure we can expect several of our teams to be vying for a state championship once the state playoffs are under way. In this edition of In the Game, we highlight five area players who are leading their teams through the regular season and hopefully toward that dream of a championship. These Player Profiles give you an up close and personal look at some of Southeast Georgia’s brightest young stars who excel at the game they love. You’ll find out some things about these young men other than just hard stats. You’ll read about their earliest memories of playing the game; why they chose the number they now wear; their mindset when either on the mound facing a batter or in the batter’s box facing the opposing pitcher. Camden catcher/outfielder Brooks Bryan revealed how being superstitious actually made him a better player. For some players, baseball is a family affair. We feature Jason Ammons of the Appling County Pirates, who follows in the footsteps of his two older brothers, both of whom also played for Pirates coach Jeremy Smith. While this spotlight certainly focuses on these players’ abilities and performances on the baseball field, you’ll also see how competing in multiple sports helped to shape these players as better all-around athletes. One particular athlete is Brantley County senior Cameron Moore, who spoke of how playing basketball and football — in addition to baseball — helped shape him as a better player, teammate, and leader. Ever wonder why and how players choose their uniform numbers? For some, like Ronnie Keaton of Liberty County, it’s a sentimental gesture to someone very close to them. Each of our players in this feature is super talented on their own, but most, like Brunswick High shortstop Harrison Trawick, rave about the pure joy and love they get from playing with and relying on their teammates every day. Finally, while three of our players are currently planning on playing baseball collegiately, all revealed their plans and interests for when and if baseball is no longer a part of their lives. That time will come. But for now, baseball is what’s on their minds, on ours, and I’m sure yours as well! We hope you’ll enjoy our Southeast Georgia Player Profiles.
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Workout Break Push-Up/Knee Tuck With Gliders Start in the top of a plank position, with your arms straight and your hands wider than shoulder-width apart. Place your toes on gliders (or hand towels). Perform one push-up. Putting your weight onto the balls of your feet, pull your knees toward your chest, pausing when they are about three inches in front of your hips. Hold for one second and then slide your legs back out into the top of a plank. Do another push-up and repeat; keep going for 30-45 seconds.
COLLEGE PLANS: “I plan to continue my baseball career at Charleston Southern University on a baseball scholarship.”
INTENDED MAJOR: Business Management
BASEBALL HISTORY: “I’ve played baseball my whole life. I started as a middle infielder and outfielder when I was young and got put behind the plate in middle school. I stuck with catching from then on. I played travel ball with Chain National and Baseball Scoutz.”
WHEN DID YOU BECOME A HIGH SCHOOL STARTER? “I started some games freshman year and took over as a fulltime starter my sophomore year.”
WHAT IS ONE COOL FACT ABOUT YOU? “I’ve played football and baseball my whole life but stopped playing football after my freshman year to focus on baseball. I decided to come back out for my senior year and started at quarterback for Camden. I’m also very superstitious and feel that I have to go to my cage every day to be successful.”
WHAT NUMBER DO YOU WEAR AND WHY? “I wear No. 17 because my birthday is Jan. 17.”
DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST HIGH SCHOOL HOME RUN: “It's not my first home run, but my most memorable was against Brookwood in the Sweet 16 my junior year. I lead off the top of the seventh with a home run to tie the game up.”
WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR MIND WHEN COMING TO BAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A GAME? “I come up to the plate with a mentality that I’m better than the guy I’m facing.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF PLAYING BASEBALL? “My favorite part about playing baseball is that it’s a very humbling game and that on any given pitch or swing, the outcome of the game can change. I also enjoy the many lifelong friendships I’ve made through playing the game of baseball.”
Brooks Bryan
Senior Catcher/Outfielder Camden County High School St. Mary’s, GA
THE STATS
GPA: 4.5 Hits/Throws: R/R Batting Average: .370
CAMDEN HEAD BASEBALL COACH CHUCK SEYMOUR ON BROOKS BRYAN: “I'm proud to say that I get to coach young men like Brooks Bryan. Brooks was named our team captain by his peers and is a definite game changer on the field and in our dugout. He is blessed with obvious baseball talents, and I expect big things out of him as the season continues. Brooks understands the game of baseball and is maturing into what should be a strong future college catcher, hitter, and athlete. I think Brooks' athletic abilities were on display this past fall as he stepped in and started at quarterback for our football team after two years off from the sport. I am proud of the student, player, and person that Brooks Bryan is. It will be tough to follow in his shoes for our upcoming players. I'm excited to watch and see where his career goes from here. Captains and true team players always leave a legacy, and Brooks is continuing to leave his mark on our program. Utmost respect to No. 17!”
BLAZER BOUND
Written by: Rob Asbell | Photography by: Jennifer Carter Johnson
W
are County senior Derrin Cox takes baseball very seriously. “I have never settled for remaining the same player,” he said. “I always work during the offseason in the cages and in the weight room.”
His hard work paid off. Since transferring to Ware County this season, Cox has become the ace on the mound for the Gators. Each day he can be found at practice working to be the best pitcher, hitter, and first baseman possible. He constantly works to improve him-
self, and it shows. The 6’3”, 240-pound fireballing pitcher has already signed a scholarship to play at the collegiate level next year. The hurler caught the eye of college scouts and inked his National Letter of Intent during the early signing period to play for the
Valdosta State University Blazers.
Cox’s favorite part of playing baseball is being “Valdosta is a on the mound facing opschool that I have posing batters. He enjoys always wanted to at- the one-on-one challenge tend,” Cox said. “It from the mound. This season as a Ware County is a school that is Gator, Cox pitched a comrecommended by plete game against his almost all of its stu- old teammates at Pierce dents, and being able County, putting in seven to play baseball there innings of work; he threw just 78 pitches for the vicis only a bonus.” The senior right- tory over the Bears. “He has worked really hander played his first three years of high school hard in the weight room baseball for Pierce Coun- to increase his strength ty, but traded the Bears’ and durability while also blue for the Gators' green decreasing his recovery this season. Cox made the time between starts,” Amtrip to Waycross when mons said. A c o a c h t o u g h J a m i e competiAmmons tor on the c a m e mound, over from Cox takes Appling e v e r y County. pitch as a Prior to challenge, his time not only in Baxley, — Derrin Cox against Ammons the batter coached but whethCox earer or not ly in his he locates career his pitch at Pierce where he County. wants it. “Derrin He has has comcommand manded of three his pitches d i ff e re n t better this pitches year than and can I rememt h r o w ber,” Amthem in mons said. any count. “He comHe is menmands the strike zone and throws a heavy base- tally tough and brings out ball. His curve ball breaks the best in his teammates on multiple planes and through his example of is very difficult to square a strong work ethic. Although he has complete up.”
“Do a job and do damage.”
VSU NCAA National Championships Baseball: 1979 Football: 2004, 2007, 2012 Men's Tennis: 2006, 2011 Softball: 2012 In The Game | 33