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Cavaliers overcome slow start with strong finish

By C.R. Cumbee

Staff Writer

St. Matthews—Coming into the 2010 season, Calhoun Academy baseball coach Adam Jarecki was apprehensive about his team’s potential.  The Cavaliers lost many seniors to graduation and came into the spring with a very young roster.

However, after a rough start, the Cavaliers got going and finished the season 12-7 overall and third in the conference standings.  They defeated The Byrnes Schools in the first round of the SCISA playoffs, but fell to W.W. King in the second round.

“We needed to catch a couple of breaks and we didn’t, but we did well considering we graduated so many people.  Halfway into the season we really started playing well, and we finished the season strong.  It really turned out to be better than we expected to start with.  I’m very proud of them,” Jarecki said.

This year Calhoun Academy will say goodbye to five seniors on the 12-man roster.  The biggest loss will be pitcher/outfielder Matt Arant, who made the All-Region and North-South teams.  He went 4-2 with 68 strikeouts in 48 innings pitched.  At the plate, he batted .330 with two home runs and 13 runs batted in.

“That’s a big loss because he won a state championship for us and pitched in another one.  He was a leader for us this year and that will be a big hole to fill.  We’re going to miss him,” Jarecki said.

Another key senior leaving is first baseman William Granger, who hit .312 with 14 runs batted in.  Other players graduating include Taylor Porth, outfielder Adam Carter and designated hitter John Perrow.

Still the Cavaliers have a lot to look forward to next season.  Infielder Cameron Huddleston is back after leading the team with a .365 batting average.  Outfielder Bryan Love will be another force in the lineup after hitting .356 with three homers and 12 stolen bases.

Shortstop Jeff Grubbs batted .357 with 14 RBI this year while Jordan Rucker went .309 with 10 runs driven in at the dish.  Rucker will also step into the No. 1 starting role on the mound.

“We’ve got the bulk of the team coming back and I feel good about what we have,” Jarecki said.

Other players returning next season are catcher Eric Smith, infielder Jesse Reeves and outfielder Phillip Tyler.

 

 

guard duties.
"He is a steady ballhandler and is very quick. Marston does a lot of the little things that we need him to do," said the coach.
Jamie Sanders is playing on the wing. The sophomore had a season high of eleven points in a win over Bowman.
"Jamie is an athlete. He works hard and does a little bit of everything for us," said the coach.
Will Rhame plays in the small forward slot and spends time out on the perimeter.  He scored 17 ponits and pulled in 13 rebounds in the Bowman game.
"He plays a little of everything," said Weaver. "He has a nice jumper and he's a good rebounder."
Rounding out the starting five is Webb Carroll. At 6-4, 190 pounds, he brings a little size to the post position.
"Webb is a good defensive player, hits the boards and is a shot blocker. He's got a good skill set," noted the coach.
Coming off the bench is junior A.E. Inabinet (6-5, 225) and athletic sophomore Cameron Huddleston.
As Weaver looks for continued improvement from his squad, he has a few particulars that he wants to see.
"We want our guys to compete every day and box out on the boards and if we are to be successful, we need to get the ball inside," he said.