Alabama High School Team Preview: West Blocton Tigers
February 6, 2019
2019 Team Previews:
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High School: West Blocton
2018 Record: 15-9
Head Coach: Kelsay Cross
AHSAA Classification: 4A
AHSAA Area: 7
2018 Area Finish: 3rd
2018 Playoff Run: N/A
RETURNING STARTERS:
Tyler Colton ‘20 IF/RHP
Justin Tillery ‘19 C/RHP
Brennan Morris ‘19 OF/LHP
Josh Graham ‘19 IF/RHP
UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH:
Nathan Reach ‘21 OF/IF
Caleb Fancher '21 IF/RHP
TEAM STRENGTHS:
Pitching depth
Should be very solid defensively
OUTLOOK:
The West Blocton Tigers narrowly missed the state playoffs in 2018 as they enter the 2019 season hoping to change that while competing in 4A Area 7 along with American Christian, Northside and Sipsey Valley. The Tigers return 5 positional starters and 4 guys that saw time on the mound in 2018. Coach Kelsay Cross will be depend on some guys that will be asked to step into different roles in 2019 but he likes the guys he will put on the mound and he also expects the team to defend at a high level. 2020 IF/RHP Tyler Colton is a guy that the Tigers will look to help them lead them into the season. The talented two way junior is a “lunch pail” type of guy and leads with great work ethic and just brings it everyday on the field. He is not alone on guys that will play a big role in 2019. Senior Justin Tillery (C/RHP) is one of a handful of seniors that should help the lead way this season. He will be looked on to help on the mound but really shows solid actions behind the plate and will be the mainstay behind the plate in 2019. Brennan Morris is another 2019 grad that should be a fixture in the outfield. He has tremendous speed and really gets good jumps on balls off of the bat. Josh Graham (2019, RHP) will be asked to log some big innings this season as he features a low to mid 80’s fastball with nice arm side run and a nice breaking ball that shows late depth. A few 2021’s to keep an eye on are IF/OF Nathan Reach and IF/RHP Caleb Fancher. Both young guys have a solid skill set and will be counted on in 2019. Reach is a solid defender and has a tremendous work ethic and Fancher will see time on the mound as well as the infield. There is a lot of excitement around the 2019 version of the Tigers.