17-4A ALL-DISTRICT BASEBALL RELEASED | Kilgore, Henderson players honored in a tough district

Kilgore’s Tate Truman was named the co-offensive most valuable player, Cason Edney was named newcomer of the year, and that was just for starters on a loaded District 17-4A All-District baseball team from a district that was one of the state’s toughest.

Kilgore, Spring Hill (a state semifinalist), Carthage and Henderson, all in the same district, a difficult road for anyone – just ask any of the four of those teams, or better yet, ask Gilmer and Center.

But Truman, the recently-graduated senior, was named co-offensive MVP of the district, along with Spring Hill’s Trent Thompson and Carthage’s Sam Watson. And Edney, who came up with some key plays down the stretch as Kilgore made its playoff push, was named newcomer of the year for the Diamond ‘Dogs.

Henderson had its own run, upsetting Spring Hill, the eventual district champion, at one point, and also dealt Kilgore a loss along the way. The Lions ran into Lufkin Hudson in the first round, though, and Kilgore ran into a tough Bullard team, and both were eliminated from playoff contention.

Joining Truman and Edney on the all-district squad for KHS were senior Jordan Pierce, a first-team selection in the outfield; Joe Hendrickson, first-team at catcher; Kolton Hale, first-team pitcher; Colt Bullard, first-team infield; senior Todd House, second-team pitcher; senior Cade Henry, second-team outfield; Tanner Beets, second-team infield; and Cade Cox, honorable mention selection.

For the Lions, Brian Biggs was named first-team pitcher; Deshawn Jackson was named first-team infielder; Kayne Brantley was named first-team outfield; Aden Butler was named first-team catcher; Caden Foster was named second-team pitcher; Macen Jones was named second-team outfield; Conner Fabbiani was named second-team utility player; and J.T. Howard was named as an honorable mention selection.

The Spring Hill Panthers, of course, won many of the all-district superlatives, since they did make the state tournament. Cayden Rhodes was named the district’s overall most valuable player, and Landon Bartell was named co-pitcher of the year with Carthage’s Matthew Smith. Josiah Mackey was named co-defensive player of the year with Carthage catcher Brooks Soape, and the Spring Hill coaches were the coaching staff of the year.

All-district teams are chosen entirely by votes of the coaches in each district.