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Alabama HS Team Preview: Charles Henderson Trojans

February 4, 2024
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

The 2024 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Alabama.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the Jacksonville/Oxford/Montgomery area at the AISA or AHSAA state championships, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Alabama. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing our scheduled podcasts and releasing our preseason top-10 rankings in each AHSAA classification.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state.

Each week we will be releasing our Players of the Week, updating the top-10 ranks in each AHSAA classification, as well updating our Power 25 overall rankings. One thing, especially, you don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state, as well as the recaps and previews of the big games we’re covering.

*Please note the information has been gathered from head coaches across the state, based on their replies to the questionnaire we distributed over this offseason.

High School: Charles Henderson Trojans
Head Coach: Chase Smartt
Classification: AHSAA Class 5A
Area Number: Class 5A, Area 3
2023 Record (Finish): 15-16 (Eliminated in 1st Round)
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 8
No. of Returning Pitchers: 4
Team Strengths: Chemistry, Team Bond, Defense, Small Ball

 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

MORE UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Class of 2024

  • RHP/OF Bradley Prestwood (2024; uncommitted)

Class of 2025

  • RHP/OF Blake Lowery (2025; uncommitted)
  • RHP/OF Wilson Jones (2025; uncommitted)

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Charles Henderson Trojans took a solid step forward in 2023, reaching the playoffs in Class 5A and boosting their record from 7-19 from the year prior to 15-16. With nearly all of their returning offensive lineup coming back and four pitchers with experience returning, the Trojans will look to continue their momentum and take another step forward in 2024.

After finishing as the runner-up behind Headland, the No. 1 team in Class 5A going into the playoffs, the Trojans were tasked with traveling on the road to Demopolis, who ended up reaching the Final Four, in the 1st round of the Class 5A playoffs. While they gave them a tough fight in Game 1 losing 8-7, they were defeated in Game 2 by score of 10-2 and ended their season with a 15-16 record. It's easy to see looking at their roster that the Trojans should be a very experienced team, especially on the offensive side, this spring. They should feature numerous players who will play two-way roles this spring, including RHP/UTL Parker Adams (2024), their top pitcher returning this spring. The senior is a three-year starter and an elite competitor on the mound who will look to lead the staff once again this spring. 3B Joshua Hooten (2024) is another senior returner that is expecting big things, while OF/RHP KaNeil Lewis (2025) and RHP/INF Cole Pugh (2025) are a pair two-way upperclassmen who are expected to take big leaps this spring. Looking at the sophomore class, the Trojans are hoping that some playing time at the varsity level last spring will only benefit players like LHP/OF Clay Johnson (2026), UTL/RHP Cooper Johnson (2026), INF/RHP Chase Vaznaian (2026), and 1B/RHP West Templin (2026). All of these players mentioned should have important roles both at the plate and on the mound this spring. C/RHP Kellen Stewart (2027) and INF/RHP Owen Pugh (2027) are also a pair of freshman who are hoping to make a large impact the varsity level this spring, and certainly have the potential to do so. RHP/OF Bradley Prestwood (2024), RHP/OF Blake Lowery (2025), and RHP/OF Wilson Jones (2025) are three more upperclassmen in addition to the ones mentioned previously who are also looking for playing time and fighting for starting positions, as well. 

The Trojans should be excited once again for this spring, as they bring back some important familiar faces who are expected to continue to get better and lead this team on both sides of the ball. They'll compete in Area 3 against Carroll, Headland, and Rehobeth for a berth in the playoffs at the end of the regular season. Charles Henderson looks to be gearing up for another successful season in Class 5A in 2024.

Find more information on the 2024 Charles Henderson High School program below:

+ Follow them on X: @CHHSTrojans2024
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2024 HS Team Previews

FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL ALABAMA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball Alabama on X
+ Prep Baseball Alabama on Instagram
+ Prep Baseball Alabama on Facebook

 

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