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2015 Team Preview: Kickapoo Chiefs

February 4, 2015

Shon Plack and Jeff Viles
Prep Baseball Report-Missouri

As we prepare for the upcoming 2015 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: Kickapoo
Nickname: Chiefs
Class: 5A
League: Ozark Conference
Head Coach: Jason Howser
Twitter Handle:  @chiefbaseball14
2014 Overall Record: 22-9-1
2014 League Record: 7-2
2014 Post-Season Finish: District Runner-up

Number of Position Players Lost: 2
Number of Pitchers Lost: 0
Number of Returning Starters/Position Players: 2
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 3

TOP RETURNERS (Commit)
Danny Crews, SS, 2015 (Fort Scott CC)
Westin Gann, C, 2016
Kyle Giefer, 1B/LHP, 2016
Riley Herron, OF, 2016
Corey Johnson, OF, 2016
Chandler Jones, LHP, 2017
Jackson Jones, RHP, 2015 (Maple Woods CC)
Adam Link, RHP/OF, 2017
Roberto Merced, SS, 2017
Kaleb Schmidt, 3B/RHP, 2016
Tristan Stevens, UTL/RHP, 2016
Brandon Wamsher, OF, 2015
Logan Wiley, RHP, 2015 (Kansas State)

OUTLOOK
The Kickapoo Chiefs could be one the most fun teams to watch this spring.  They everything a team needs to make a run into early June, and will be able to compete with any team in the state.  Senior RHP Logan Wiley is a proven winner on the mound and will provide the big arm needed to contend for the state championship.  The Kansas State signee, has been up to 90 mph this past fall, and has one of the best curveball's in the state.  The junior class will be loaded with talent.  Left-handers Riley Herron and Kyle Giefer will top of the order guys in the line-up, and will be able to contribute on the mound as well.  Kaleb Schmidt and Tristan Stevens are two right-handed juniors that will see significant innings on the mound.  Both will be a factor offensively as well.  And if that wasn't enough, newcomer and senior RHP Jackson Jones has a fastball that has touched 90 mph that give the Chiefs enough arms make a run deep into the post season.  Junior catcher Westin Gann will be the guy called to manage the pitching staff. The sophomore class isn't to shabby either.  Adam Link and Roberto Merced are two top players in the 2017 class, and could emerge as a nice duo up the middle for Kickapoo in the years to come.  The Chiefs open the season in Little Rock, Arkansas and have a challenging spring schedule.  Coach Howser will have his team battle tested before they enter the post season.  He has the majority of his team returning from last season, which saw time in the top ten MHSBCA rankings.  Few would argue that a team is deeper than Kickapoo, especially on the mound.  Keep your eye on the Chiefs, they are poised to make a run at the Missouri Class 5 Final Four in 2015 ... and 2016.

CLICK HERE, to see the MHSBCA Rankings
CLICK HERE, to see the entire list of 2015 Missouri Team Previews

Coaches Preseason Questionnaire

We appreciate all of the help provided by high school coaches across the state assisting with our preseason coverage. If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches' preseason questionnaire online by CLICKING HERE.

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