The Mississippi high school season kicks off on February 26, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on January 29, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.

Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be rolling out team previews of high school teams all across the state and across all classifications, eventually launching our Preseason Power 25.

We have been sending out our annual Preseason Questionnaire to coaches all across the state and as the responses flood in we will bring you a snapshot of what to expect along with top players and keys to success for that particular team. If you don’t see your team’s season preview make sure your head coach fills out his Preseason Questionnaire.

Team: East Webster

2017 Record: 23-9
MHSAA Classification: 2A
MHSAA District: 5-2A
Head Coach: Wes Johnson
Playoff Run: North State Semifinals
2017 Final Rank: 1^st in district
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 1

Top Players

Name	State	School	Class	Position	Commitment
Hastings Gibson	MS	East Webster	2022	1B	-
Sloan Hillhouse	MS	East Webster	2019	SS	-
Walker Johnson	MS	East Webster	2018	RHP	East Central CC
Cameron Pilgrim	MS	East Webster	2020	OF	-
Jon Austin Roberts	MS	East Webster	2019	SS	-
Wes Silver	MS	East Webster	2020	1B	-
JT Slay	MS	East Webster	2018	C	-
Art Thompson	MS	East Webster	2018	OF	-

Stat Rat (X-Factor)
JT Slay – (.410 BA, 11-RBI)
Walker Johnson – (1.17 ERA, 53-K, 29-BB)
Art Thompson – (.304 BA, 8-RBI)

Outlook

Coach Johnson and the Wolverines return four starters and one pitcher from last season's district winning team. Defensive consistency and experience will be the keys to success, turning to catcher JT Slay and OF Art Thompson to lead the way. Although the Wolverines lack depth on the mound the pitching staff will rely on East Central CC signee Walker Johnson to anchor the rotation.

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