The 2026 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: Scottsboro Wildcats
Head Coach: Cade Medley
Classification & Area Number: Class 5A, Area 16
2025 Record (Finish): 15-17 (Elite 8)

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• 3B/RHP Hunter Hancock (2026)
• RHP/3B Jackson Nichols (Calhoun CC, 2026)
• SS Cohen Thompson (2026)
• OF/LHP Conner Vaden (2028)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• 3B/RHP David Potts (2028)

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OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

• OF Lawson Lee (2026)
• 1B Cooper Harding (2026)
• INF Noah Tolleson (2027)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Scottsboro enters the 2026 season looking to build on a breakthrough 2025 campaign that ended with an Elite 8 appearance, marking the first time the program has advanced to the third round in the standard playoff format. While the Wildcats finished 15-17 overall, the postseason run showed the growth and resilience of this group and set a new standard for the program moving forward. With a veteran core returning and a large senior class providing leadership, Scottsboro will look to turn last year’s playoff momentum into a more consistent and competitive season in Class 5A, Area 16.

The foundation of this year’s team is built around a strong group of returning contributors on both sides of the ball. 3B/RHP Hunter Hancock (2026) and RHP/3B Jackson Nichols (Calhoun CC, 2026) give the Wildcats experience and versatility in the infield and on the mound, while SS Cohen Thompson (2026) provides stability up the middle defensively. OF/LHP Conner Vaden (2028) adds an athletic, two-way presence and represents part of a younger group that will be asked to take on bigger roles. Another underclass piece, 3B/RHP David Potts (2028), is expected to continue developing into a key contributor. The supporting cast of OF Lawson Lee (2026), 1B Cooper Harding (2026), and INF Noah Tolleson (2027) gives Scottsboro additional depth and experience throughout the lineup and defensively.

Looking ahead, Scottsboro’s strengths begin with experience, leadership, and a solid senior core that understands what it takes to compete deep into the postseason. After last year’s historic run, the Wildcats enter 2026 with higher expectations and a clear goal of taking another step forward. With a veteran group setting the tone and a mix of returning pieces and emerging talent, Scottsboro will aim to build on its playoff success and establish itself as a consistent contender in 5A.

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Find more information on the 2026 Scottsboro High School program below:

+ Follow them on X or Facebook: @SHSBaseball4 | Scottsboro High School Baseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2026 HS Team Previews

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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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