AL HS Team Preview: Hale County Wildcats
January 17, 2020
High School: Hale County Wildcats
2019 Record: 17-11
Head Coach: Clay Entrekin
AHSAA Classification: 3A
AHSAA Area: Area 7
2019 Area Finish: 2nd
2019 Playoff Run: lost in 3rd round
RETURNING STARTERS:
UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH:
‘21 IF/RHP Stenson McCray
‘21 IF/RHP River Sabbagh
‘21 IF/RHP Ryland Sabbagh
‘21 1B/3B/RHP Cade Austin
‘22 C/RHP/3B Connor Reilly
TEAM STRENGTHS:
Experience and pitching
OUTLOOK:
The Hale County Wildcats enter the 2020 season with high expectations as they will lean on a strong pitching staff and experience gained in years past. The 2019 squad reached the third round and the Wildcats are looking to advance beyond that this year as five positional starters and seven pitchers return for Coach Clay Entrekin. Senior 1B/LHP/OF Cannon Wilton will be an integral part of the success if the 2020 squad can reach those heights. The returning starter started off slow in 2019 but heated up during the second half of the season during area play. For the year he hit .312 with five 2B’s, two 3B’s and 1 HR while driving in 23 runs. Wilton will also be a key arm on the mound in 2020 after throwing 31 innings with 26 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.01 a year ago. ‘21 OF/RHP Kameron Wilson has been a part of the varsity since his freshman year. He is a speedy centerfielder that ended his sophomore year with a .330 batting average and eight 2B’s, two 3B’s and 18 RBI’s. INF/RHP Stenson McCray is a junior that will also be counted on in 2020 as a utility player at several positions and will pitch some big innings as well. McCray has a slight side arm delivery on the mound. Junior INF/RHP River Sabbagh is the returning starter at shortstop and will once again look to be a major run scorer out of the leadoff spot. Sabbagh should know his double play partner very well as his twin brother, INF/RHP Ryland Sabbagh, returns at second base after hitting .312 as a sophomore in 2019. Another junior, Cade Austin returns but may be in a bit of a different role this season. He was a workhorse behind the plate in 2019 but may not catch as much this year as he will see time on the mound also. When he is not behind the plate he will see time at both corner infield positions. The replacement behind the plate will be ‘22 C/RHP/3B Connor Reilly. He played a lot late in the 2019 season and ended up hitting .571 in limited at bats. Another tough area race looks to be taking shape in 3A Area 7 as the Hale County Wildcats look to be in the thick of the action.
Click HERE to purchase a subscription which gives you access to additional information on the site.
Click HERE to create a free profile.
Click HERE to request an invite to our January 18 Preseason All State event.