AL HS Team Preview: Ardmore Tigers
January 22, 2020
High School: Ardmore Tigers
2019 Record: 18-9
Head Coach: Andrew Smith
AHSAA Classification: 5A
AHSAA Area: Area 16
2019 Area Finish: 3rd
2019 Playoff Run: N/A
RETURNING STARTERS:
UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH:
‘23 RHP/INF Preston Patterson
TEAM STRENGTHS:
Team speed
Front end pitching
OUTLOOK:
The Tigers enter the 2020 season looking to replace several key players from the 2019 season but coach Andrew Smith will rely on some very talented front end guys on the mound and a few key returnees. One of those key returnees is ‘20 OF/1B Hogan Whitt who has signed with Calhoun Community College. Whitt is a very good athlete and is the leader of the team moving into the 2020 season. Whitt is a tireless worker and plays the game the way it should be played and never takes a day off. He is a good runner and also has some juice off the bat from the left side. ‘21 3B/1B Luke Hogan also returns after a solid sophomore campaign in 2019. Described as a “hard working, strong player”, Hogan has definite strength in the hands at the plate and shows major pop to the pull side. In his first year at Ardmore, ‘21 LHP/OF Cole Cheatham figures to play a big part for the Tigers this year, especially on the mound. Cheatham will be a two way guy for the Tigers as he will see time in the outfield but the junior southpaw should be at the top of the pitching rotation. The fastball shows late arm side action and has been up to 89 mph (PBR Future Games in early August) and the breaking ball is advanced right now. A couple of young guys to keep an eye on are ‘22 1B Mason Billions and ‘23 RHP/INF Preston Patterson. Billions has made big strides over the last few years and continues to get stronger. Patterson is a very good athlete and has a solid skill set presently and projects well over the next few years. 5A Area 16 should be entertaining this year and the Ardmore Tigers figure to be fighting for a state playoff spot.
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