The Mississippi high school season kicks off on February 26, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on January 29, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.

Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be rolling out team previews of high school teams all across the state and across all classifications, eventually launching our Preseason Power 25.

We have been sending out our annual Preseason Questionnaire to coaches all across the state and as the responses flood in we will bring you a snapshot of what to expect along with top players and keys to success for that particular team. If you don’t see your team’s season preview make sure your head coach fills out his Preseason Questionnaire.

Team: Southaven

2017 Record: 17-12
MHSAA Classification: 6A
MHSAA District: 1-6A
Head Coach: Gary-Scott Gabbert
Playoff Run: 2^nd Round
2017 Final Rank: 3^rd in district
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 1

 

Top Players

Name	State	School	Class	Position	Commitment
Jaylen Armstrong	MS	Southaven	2018	OF	-
Garrett Riggs	MS	Southaven	2018	C	Northwest Mississippi CC
Aaron Wolfe	MS	Southaven	2018	2B	Itawamaba
Micha Chillers	MS	Southaven	2019	RHP	-
Hendrix Cooley	MS	Southaven	2018	3B	Meridian CC
Cole Crockett	MS	Southaven	2019	2B	-
Bailey Jones	MS	Southaven	2018	OF	-

 

Stat Rat (X-Factor)
Jaylen Armstrong (.341-BA, 14-RBI, 3-HR)
Bailey Jones (.305-BA, 22-RBI, 5-2B, 3-HR)
Aaron Wolfe (.272-BA)

Outlook
Expectations are high for Coach Gary-Scott Gabbert and the Chargers this year as they return five starters and one pitcher from last season’s 17-win campaign. A solid core of returners will anchor the defense, including Itawamaba CC signee SS Aaron Wolfe, Meridian CC signee 3B/1B Hendrix Cooley and OF Bailey Jones. Cooley, an All-State Game participant, has displayed a fluid rhythm in his approach with ability to drive the baseball gap-to-gap and should provide power in the middle of the lineup. Although the Chargers lack depth on the mound, they will turn to Northwest CC signee C Garrett Riggs to lead the inexperienced staff from behind the dish through the 2018 season.

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