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2016 Team Preview: Kickapoo Chiefs

March 1, 2016

Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

As  we  prepare  for  the  upcoming  2016  high  school  season,  we  will  be  taking  a
preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: Kickapoo HS
Nickname: Chiefs
Class: 5A
Conference: Ozark Conference
Head Coach: Jason Howser
Years as head coach at school: 12
Twitter Handle: @ChiefsBaseball14
Team Website: Kickapoobaseball.org
2015 Overall Record:  24-10
2015 Conference Finish: 6-3 (3rd Place)
2015 Post­ Season Finish: 3rd Place in State
2016 MHSBCA Pre Season Rank: #4

Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 4
Number of Returning Starters/Position Players: 7

Players with 2015 Post Season Honors
Kaleb Schmidt, 3B/RHP, 2016, 2nd Team All-State (Central Arkansas)
Riley Herron, OF/LHP, 2016, 2nd Team All-State (Drury)
Kyle Giefer, OF/LHP, 1st Team All-Ozark Conference (Harding)
Tristan Stevens, OF/RHP, 1st Team All-District (Central Missouri)
Westin Gann, C, 1st Team All-District (College of the Ozarks)
Preston Keisker, SS, 1st Team All District

Player to Watch
Chandler Jones, P/INF, 2017
Robbie Merced, INF, 2017
Michael Barnes, P, 2017
Adam Link, P/OF, 2017

Season Outlook
The Chiefs will enter the season as the #4 ranked team in Class 5, after finishing third at state last season.  Kickapoo has many players returning from last year's team and will be a serious contender this spring.  They are senior heavy and loaded with talent and experience.  Senior OF/LHP Riley Herron, a Drury commit, emerged as one of the top left-handed hitters last season and will be a major part of the line up, while senior RHP Kaleb Schmidt and RHP/OF Tristan Stevens will be at the top of the pitching rotation.  Schmidt is committed to Central Arkansas and Stevens, who has jumped in velo to 90 mph, is committed to Central Missouri.  OF/LHP Kyle Giefer, a Harding commit, will see big innings on the mound and be play a key role in the line up.  The Chiefs also return 1st Team All-District catcher and College of the Ozarks commit, Westin Gann behind the dish, along with Preston Keisker, a 1st Team All-District player from a year ago.  Coach Howser will also have some new faces this spring in his junior class that will play an increase role.  Watch for juniors 1B/LHP Chandler Jones, INF Robbie Merced, RHP/OF Adam Link and P Michael Barns to add to the 2016 success. The Chiefs have key players returning from last season and a talented group of juniors.  They are a complete team ready to finish what they started in 2015. 

CLICK HERE, for a complete list of 2016 Team Previews
CLICK HERE, for the MHSBCA Rankings

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