Power 25: Biggest Movers

Cherokee Bluff (9-0)

With the success Coach Jeremy Kemp had at Gainesville (Wins, D1 commits, Draft Picks), you just knew it wouldn’t take long for the Bluff to become a baseball powerhouse. That day is now here, as they’re off to the best start of any team in the Power 25. From their clutch walk-off win vs #13 North Atlanta to their recent win vs #5 North Oconee, few teams in the state have a resume like the Bears do. Their offense has been led by one of the kings of power production in GHSA this year, Georgia Southern ‘23 Bryce England. The numbers are absolutely eye popping - .522 AVG, .600 OBP, 5 HR, 22 RBI, and 8 BB. This is a dream full season for many HS bats, and he has a chance for a historic season. They’ve got an electric 1-2 punch of ‘24’s at the top of the lineup in Jacob Vokal (.432 AVG, 10 SB’s) & Ty Corbin (.590 OBP, 19 SB’s). Two speed demons who are not only very difficult to strikeout, but they are some of the best defenders in the state at premium positions up the middle. A shocking 8 of their 9 regulars are hitting over .300. The unreal depth continues with powerful Miss. St. ‘23 Brett House (3 HR, 12 RBI), ultimate grinder ‘25 Landon Kemp (.391 AVG, .531 OBP, 9 R), and sweet swinging ‘25 LHH with an advanced approach Kaden Thompson (.633 OBP, 13 RBI, 12 BB). These 3 have essentially made the lineup unbeatable, giving opposing arms stress from leadoff to the 9 hole. On the mound, they’re just as loaded. The finesse doctor ‘23 Brady Stephens has gone 15 INN, 0 ER with his varying arm slots and endless repertoire. ‘23 flamethrower and Georgia Southern Commit Braxton Beal is averaging well over a K per INN in his 3 outings. Crafty ‘25 lefty Gabe Gowder has done very well in his first 3 outings, and they have a pumper of high spin fuel closing out games in Vokal (7.1 INN, 3-0, 12 K’s). Their rising star on the staff is ‘25 RHP Tucker Holton (4.2 INN, 7 K’s) who is grabbing upper 80’s velos, and will continue to grow as a pitcher as the season progresses.

Etowah (8-5)

The Eagles are off to a strong start in region play at 4-1. They are talented from top to bottom with a strong upper class group that knows how to win games. Mix that with a couple of the top underclassmen in the state, and they will be right back to where they left off last year. One of their top returners in Dimitri Angelakos is just now getting back from basketball. He went 1-3 with a home run in his season debut. Caleb Hughes, Isaac Griffin, and Danny Hershberger are leading the way on the mound 42.1 innings combined. Freshman Matthew Sharman is starting to get more experience on the mound, and will be a huge piece down the road in the 3 game format region matchups. If their relievers can limit their walks and the offense can continue to produce runs they will be tough to beat with their starting arms. They have 6 guys that are all batting near or above .300. Junior Haiden Schultz leads the way at .389 with a couple of home runs. Bryan College commit Logan Stradley is having an outstanding senior year batting .368 with 4 doubles and team leading 12 runs scored. Fresham and top 5 2026 in the country, Deion Cole has been a huge addition to the line up hitting .345 with 9 runs scored and 6 RBI’s. With Angelakos back and Will Curcio leading the way at the top of the line up the Eagles are bound to rattle off some big region wins in the next couple of weeks.

North Atlanta (7-5)

Let's start off by saying this is easily one of the toughest strength of schedules in all of GHSA, as 2 of their losses were to Power 25 teams by 1 run (#9 Cherokee Bluff, #16 Pope). If their early schedule had been easier, this could easily be an undefeated team and the Warriors roster matches up against any team in the P25 talent wise. At the top of the lineup they have one of the fastest players in the country in Georgia Tech ‘23 CF Isaiah Drake (.487 AVG, .532 OBP, 18 RBI, 18 R,  SB’s), who has been as equal in power production as runs scored. Of course everyone knows about the switch hitting SS and Day 1 Draft consideration in GT ‘23 Antonio Anderson (.441 AVG, .531 OBP, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 11 BB). He has not only driven in the most runs, but shows a very advanced approach and makes difficult plays look easy at SS with his range and plus arm. Mizzou ‘24 IF Ira Jefferies-Harris (.361 AVG, .489 OBP, 3 HR, 13 RBI) has taken his game to new levels this spring, providing a very similar power output to the other 2 in this dynamic trio. The surprise of the spring offensively has been none other than ‘25 OF Ben Mason, who is leading this offense in AVG (.500) and OBP (.714, 8 BB) by a wide margin. He’s solidified himself as a nightly contributor and has advanced pitch recognition and ton of feel to hit. Washington & Lee ‘23 Jonathan French is a ++ runner and 2nd on the team in runs scored with 14. On the bump, North Atlanta doesn’t miss a beat with their intimidating 1-2 punch in Washington & Lee ‘23 Sims DeLong, and uncommitted 6’8 LHP Gunnar Plante. DeLong can go toe to toe with any high powered arm in the state stuff wise, and his numbers have been very good (2-2, 2.42 ERA, 19 K’s). Plante is quickly gaining traction with college programs due to his incredible projection combined with a 3 pitch arsenal of ridiculous movement (SNK, SLV, CH). He’s been even more dominant numbers wise (2-0, 1.53 ERA, 18 K’s). They have a dynamite young prospect in ‘25 LHP Luke Yano, who has a nasty two pitch combo of his late tailing FB and future hammer CB that he can throw in any count. He’s been their guy late in games, and has ice water in the veins (2.47 ERA, 10 K’s). That's not their only LHP who’s made a huge impact, ‘24 Sam Neal has a high level of pitchability and keeps hitters off balance at all times (1.40 ERA, 18 K’s). This is a team who can easily catch fire and roll of 10 straight wins at any time. There are few teams more battle tested at this point in the season, and they’re prepared for a dominant move in region play. 

Cherokee (11-1)

Coming into the 2023 season head coach, Josh Thomas did not know what to expect after graduating some of his top guys. One thing is for sure, the Warriors are always going to be a tough opponent to anyone in the state. They are well coached, and always seem to have a great team culture that leads to winning ball games. Seniors Cooper Isaacs and Caiden Townsend have led the offense, both batting .350 thus far. Junior Evan Holstein has been one of the biggest pieces of the line up. He is leading the team with a .471 average, and doing a great job leading the team behind the plate. Sophomore Collin McGhee has been as good as anyone in the leadoff spot getting on base over half the times he steps up to the plate. He is leading the team in runs scored at 11, and is falling into a huge role in front of Holstein and Bradfield. Another sophomore that is contributing is Jayce Jones. He leads the team with 10 stolen bases, and has the ability to make things happen on the base paths. Junior Jackson Bradfield was a standout as a sophomore, and is having a great year, batting .385. Coach Thomas has done a great job setting this line up for success, each player knows his role and how they can help the team win games. On the mound the Warriors success has to be credited to the bullpen. Brighton Cux, Pierce Dixon, and Liam Kirkman have tallied 24.1 innings of work, allowing only 5 hits and 0 runs. Reid Worley and Tams Mullins have done a great job in the starting roles. Combine all that with closer Blake Myers, and one can see why the Warriors are 11-1 on the season and will continue to climb. Region play will start next week, so we will be excited to see what the Warriors can do. The match up vs Walton will be a huge series towards the end of the year that will not disappoint.

Benedictine (7-4)

We were able to get an early look at Benedictine this year at the Georgia Dugout Club tournament at LakePoint. They have a strong underclassman group that is going to keep them competitive for the next couple of years. They are led by North Carolina commit Parker McCoy. He is batting .400 on the year, and has thrown 12 innings on the mound. Sophomore, Landon Ludwig is not far behind him at .346. He was one of the most impressive players at GDC. He is up to 89 on the mound and has thrown 12 innings with 19 strikeouts, and given up on 2 runs. Sophomore Brooks Bradshaw was another arm that impressed. He is having a great year with 3 starts giving up only 3 runs. Freshman Mason Diamond is an emerging player for the Cadets that is starting to see consistent time. The Cadets have lost a couple games by 1 run late, but are back on track after a 17-0 win against Jenkins. Their region schedule will start on March 13th against Islands. If a couple bats can get rolling they will be in a good spot for a good run in region play.