2024 Georgia Power 25: #3 Houston County Bears
February 11, 2024
The 2024 Georgia high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound 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 Georgia.
Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in mid-May inside one of Coolray Field, AdventHealth Stadium, or JI Clements Stadium at Georgia Southern University. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Georgia. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 25 rankings that’ll carry us into the opening week of action.
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 and updating the Power 25 rankings.
Our 2024 preseason coverage continues today.
High School: Houston County Bears
Head Coach: Matt Hopkins
Classification: 6A
2023 Record (Finish): 36-6 (State Champions)
Team X Handle: @hocobaseball
Team Strengths: 22 return from last year, pitching depth, defense should be improved, team speed will be great at top and bottom with pop in the middle
No. of Returning Position Players: 6
No. of Returning Pitchers: 7
TOP SENIORS
- Eli Stephens (C, Mercer Commit)
- Kai Decker (3B/RHP, Mercer commit)
- Carson Small (LHP, Pensacola State commit)
TOP JUNIORS
- Vick Gann OF
- Ethan Buffone (SS, Mercer commit)
- Will Allen (RHP/1B)
TOP UNDERCLASS FOLLOWS
- 2026 Noah Odom
- 2026 Raymond Byrd
TEAM OUTLOOK
The Bears have been one of the power houses in the state for the last few years. They had a special season capped off with a state championship led by Drew Burress and Andrew Dunford. Their seniors this year have been starters for 3 years, and have the experience to lead the way in '24. Mecer commits, Eli Stephens and Kai Decker will lead the offense. Both are 2 of the most consistent hitters in the state, and will supply the power. Pensacola state commit, Carson Small is going to be their go to guy on the mound. He was region pitcher of the year as sophomore, and will look to have a big senior year. For their junior class they will have Vick Gann supplying the speed and consistency and Mercer commit, Ethan Buffone holding down the infield at short-stop. Buffone's bat will be a key factor in the line up, and has one of the best gloves in the state at short. Right handed pitcher Will Allen is going to be one to keep an eye on for the Bears on the mound. He has the ability to be a power arm, and could fill the void of Andrew Dunford. Sophomore Noah Odom and Raymond Byrd will see varsity time this year, and could be big contributors this spring. Coach Hopkins has created one of the best cultures in the state, and will look to lead the Bears back to the championship in 2024.