2026 High School Team Preview: Cherokee Warriors

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 Georgia.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the GHSA or GIAA state playoffs, 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 Georgia. 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 GHSA classification and Power 25.

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 GHSA 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: Cherokee Warriors
Head Coach: Josh Thomas
Classification: GHSA Class 6A
Region: 5-6A
2025 Record (Finish): 16-17, First Round
Returning starters: 4
Team Strengths: Power through the middle. Versatility throughout. Leadership in the middle of the field and great defense. 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS 

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Warriors made the playoffs for the 5th straight season and took the 6A runner-up to the brink in a hard fought 3-game series, as they look to build upon that in ‘26 with their sights set on passing that mark from a year ago. The spark-plug atop the order is senior OF Andre Sweet who possesses a potent hit/speed threat while offering lockdown defense in CF. The engine of this offense will be 2027 OF Hudson Will who lives for the moment and boasts a high OBP profile with immense barrel feel in a mature approach to match. Two-way impact will come from 2026 MIF/RHP Adan Cifuentes (Lagrange) and uncommitted senior MIF/RHP Brennan Roth who have been consistent performers over the years with a strong feel to hit and offer value on the mound as well. Senior leadership and two-way value comes from 3B/RHP Daniel Head (Reinhardt) who will be a consistent piece on both sides of the ball. A pair of upperclassmen 2026 C/1B Brody Smith (Lagrange) and 2027 C Brandon Holstein furnish a potent 1-2 punch as they man the duties behind the plate and have done nothing but hit over the years as they bring a strong hit/power combo to the heart of the order. Coach Thomas and staff have high expectations for junior DH Robbie Myer who looks to step into an important role and could be a key source of power in the middle-of-the-order. 2027 UTL Caden McGhee brings quality bat-to-ball skills in an all-fields approach with defensive versatility in the dirt and will look to take on an everyday role. A pair of sophomores including OF Josiah Davis and IF Cole Harrison showed well this Pre-Season as they have a chance to make an impact in the lineup as well. Alongside Cifuentes, 2027 RHP Asher Webb holds down a spot in the starting rotation and will be relied upon to produce key innings as he operates in the mid-upper 80’s with pitchability. 2028 OF/RHP Graham Langan could be in line for a breakout at the plate after making noticeable strides across the Summer/Fall circuit and rounds out the rotation as well. Two senior right-handers including RHP Logan Harmon and RHP Luke Darvish yield experience and bolster the depth of the pitching staff. This is a very connected group that carries a chip on their shoulder from last year and has taken on a gritty type of mentality as they will take it one day at a time in a tough region 5-6A.

Find more information on the 2026 Cherokee program below:

+ Follow them on X: @CHSBaseWarriors
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Georgia, 2026 Team Previews

FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL GEORGIA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball Georgia on X
+ Prep Baseball Georgia on Instagram
+ Prep Baseball Georgia on Facebook
+ Podcast: Peach Fuzz on YouTube

UPCOMING EVENTS