As the high school season gets closer and closer, we headed out to Cherokee High School for the Cherokee County baseball media day.

This was our 1st year heading out to cover the event and we were lucky enough to sit down with the schools to hear about their thoughts for this upcoming spring season.

Creekview

Head Coach: Matt Gershon

Team Outlook: -“Pitching will be our biggest strength. We will be able to put together a strong lineup as well. Team speed on the bases is another strength and we will have to execute small ball at times. Will be ready to compete.” - Head Coach, Matt Gershon

What did you learn last year that will help you guys have a better year in 2026?

-“To be together as a team. Last year we had a ton of seniors that were close with leadership amongst one another.”

Sophomore 3B Hudson Stanley

What do you think will be your biggest strength heading into 2026?

-"Pitching"

Junior OF/LHP Jack Martin

Favorite Baseball/Lakepoint memory?

-"Future Games. It was a great experience to be able to play with all the top players in the state."

Senior RHP/SS Luke Nitkowski, Georgia Tech commit

Expectations for the 2026 season?

-"To make it past the Elite Eight after last year's finish".

Senior OF Jackson Shirley

Region Matchup most looking forward to?

-Sequoyah. They have a lot of guys that we know and grew up with over there.

-Senior RHP/C Alex Penrod

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Etowah

Head Coach: Greg Robinson

Team Outlook: -"We are excited to be back and playing in a tough region as well as a high-level out of region schedule. Maturity is coming back across the board but searching to fill voids in the rotation. We fully expect to do what happened last year. Must find guys at the bottom of the offense to turn the lineup over. Pleased with the work off the field and in the weight room. Honor to work with these guys on the team."- Head Coach, Greg Robinson

What did you learn last year that will help you guys have a better year in 2026?

“-We learned a lot of good lessons as a team. Coming in highly ranked and don’t let numbers get to them. Last two games of the season a year ago taught them a lot and to not take anything for granted. Have a chip on our shoulder coming into the season.”

Senior RHP/1B Matthew Sharman, Georgia commit

What do you think will be your biggest strength heading into 2026?

“-Comradery. The brotherhood amongst one another.”

Senior OF Deion Cole, Georgia Tech commit

Favorite Baseball/Lakepoint memory?

-“Future Games. Being able to play in front of everyone. GA/FL matchup.”

Senior Trevor Condon Tennessee commit

Expectations for the 2026 season?

“-We have high expectations and do not get involved in the outside noise. Trust in ourselves.”

Junior C Caden Borcherding, Clemson commit

Region Matchup most looking forward to?

-“I’m excited to play Walton. It will be a good matchup with two talented rosters.”

Sophomore 3B Colin Anderson

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Cherokee

Head Coach: Josh Thomas

Team Outlook: -“High expectations for this group. We graduated a lot and lost a couple guys to transfers but this group has bought in and has done a lot of things the right way. Taken on a gritty type of mentality and put their head down. Must take it one day at a time.

Inexperienced on the mound but upperclassmen with program experience. Seniors will step up that have had to wait their turn. Juniors and sophomores will step into roles. Excited for the competitive schedule and playing in one of the toughest regions in the country and state. Excited about the challenge ahead.”-Head Coach, Josh Thomas.

What did you learn last year that will help you guys have a better year in 2026?

-“How to be effective on the mound and pitch around guys”.

Senior SS/RHP Brennan Roth

What do you think will be your biggest strength heading into 2026?

-“Defense and baserunning”

Junior C/1B Brandon Holstein

Favorite Baseball/Lakepoint memory?

-“Winning the Prep Baseball National championship this past summer.”

Junior OF Hudson Will

Expectations for the 2026 season?

-“Go another season of 20+ wins and make it past the first round of playoffs.”

Senior Andre Sweet, Lagrange college commit

Region Matchup most looking forward to?

-“Etowah”

Senior MIF Adan Cifuentes, Lagrange College commit

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River Ridge

Head Coach: Jeff Runion

Team Outlook: -“ A lot of good experience coming back from the run last year. Senior leadership and younger guys who will contribute. Now know what it takes to make that run.”- Head Coach, Jeff Runion

What did you learn last year that will help you guys have a better year in 2026?

-“Understanding our team and being able to play together will help us be more successful than we already were.”

Junior RHP/1B Luke Donaldson, Texas Tech commit

What do you think will be your biggest strength heading into 2026?

-“Team chemistry. We work really well together.”

Senior RHP/3B Connor Johnson, Lagrange commit

Favorite Baseball/Lakepoint memory?

-“Just playing games at LakePoint as a whole . The atmosphere is awesome and I’m always looking forward to it."

Junior MIF Hunter Hollier, Mercer commit

Expectations for the 2026 season?

-“Playing together as a team. Along with development as we compete and look to make that run.”

Senior RHP/1B Joshua Richard

Region Matchup most looking forward to?

-“Pope. We squared off against them multiple times last year with competitive games throughout.”

Junior RHP/1B Eason Runion

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Sequoyah

Head Coach: Scott Barber

Team Outlook: -“Learned to compete and play together. Senior leadership will take them far and sky’s the limit.”-Head Coach, Scott Barber

What did you learn last year that will help you guys have a better year in 2026?

-“Learning to compete in every aspect of the game and bring that over to gameplay.”

Senior MIF Kolby Martin, Georgia Tech commit

What do you think will be your biggest strength heading into 2026?

-“Pitching and strong upperclass talent.”

Senior RHP/1B Drew Harmon, Northwest Florida commit

Favorite Baseball/Lakepoint memory?

-“ Last year against Game 1 of the double-header against Riverwood. When I hit a homerun early in the game and ended up walking it off as well.”

Junior 1B/RHP Cason Gantt

Expectations for the 2026 season?

-“Way higher than people expect. We carry an underdog mentality and have a good mix of upperclass and underclass talent.”

Senior C/1B Michael White, Emmanuel commit

Region Matchup most looking forward to?

-“Pope. They ran the region last year.”

Senior 3B/RHP Jack Ripley