Johnsonville set for big spring in baseball, golf
Johnsonville - The Johnsonville High baseball program has a long history of success. The Flashes are routinely contenders for a region championship and often makes an impact in the state playoffs.
The Flashes, defending region 5-A champions, are under new leadership this spring. Carson Carroll has moved into the role as head coach for 2024. Carroll spent several years as the head coach at Timberland before moving to his home state of Georgia for a coaching opportunity.
However, Carroll married a girl from Johnsonville and it was her strong desire to return home.
“I came home one day and she told me that she had filled out an online application for me to teach and coach here at Johnsonville,” Carroll laughs, “I took that as a hint that she wanted to come back home. So here we are and I am very excited to have this opportunity to lead the Johnsonville baseball program.”
Carroll realizes he inherits a program with a tradition of success. He says the players at Johnsonville take the sport seriously and the community is very supportive.
“Everything is here for us to be successful,” the coach said. “Sports in general are big here at Johnsonville and baseball has been pretty competitive for a long time.”
The 2024 Flashes opened up in a preseason tournament. After losing to Florence Christian in their opening game, Johnsonville posted wins over Lakewood and Marion.
Carroll has a mixture of veterans and new faces this spring but sees great potential overall in this team’s ability to compete on a nightly basis.
“Still kind of piecing it all together right now but I definitely see us being a very competitive team,” Carroll said. “Right now two of our top three pitchers are out with injuries so hopefully we can get them back healthy. I think when healthy, our top three arms as good as anyone in Class A. We just need to make sure they are healthy when they do return and we will try to develop some other arms early on.”
Two of the top arms are junior Jayce Cook and Gavin Fennell. Junior Evan Graham also is getting early opportunities on the mound while Cook and Fennell nurse injuries.
Returning as one of the team leaders this spring is senior shortstop Reid Baxley, who also sees time on the mound. Baxley is a likely Class A all-state candidate.
Junior catcher Landyn Cribb also returns as a starter and is in his fourth season with the varsity. Cribb will be among the top offensive threats in the batting order.
Centerfielder Zaghe Davis also is a key returner but it still working his way back from an injury sustained during the football season. Braxton DeCamp also returns with outfield playing experience.
Caden Jackson will see time on the mound and play at first base. Freshman Larkin Powell will see defensive action at several positions and will hit in the leadoff spot as a promising young player.
Cayleb Tanner will see action at third base while Neal Martin and Luke Altman figure into the lineup as outfielders. Martin is a former player in the program who did not play baseball for the last two years. Carroll feels he can be an offensive leader once we gets his swing back.
“Offensively, still a work in progress as we try to figure out what works best for us,” Carroll said. “We definitely have the potential to be a good offensive team once we work some things out.
“I think defensively we should be solid. Again, just need everyone healthy. I think we have the potential to make some noise this season. The goal is to gain some experience and try to be 100 percent healthy for region play.”
Johnsonville golf team excited for 2024 season
Johnsonville High golf coach Brian Welch is full of optimism for his 2024 team. The Flashes look to make a solid run at the Class A state title.
One big addition this spring is the opening of Johnsonville’s home course, the Wellman golf club. The course was down for several years but its return gives the Flashes a place to call home.
“We finally have the long-awaited blessing of having a home course after being road warriors for 13 years and traveling to practice with all of our matches away,” Welch said. “The reopening of the Wellman is a total game changer for us. The commitment that our city council and county council have given our community through this project has been amazing.”
Welch has a team that is led by three seniors – Taylor Davis, Payne Alford and Wyatt Griffith. Three juniors on the roster this spring are Jack Prosser, Bubba Tapia and Justin Hanna.
Sophomores include Ethan Hartfield, Harry Gaster, and the freshmen are Carson Ingersoll and Brayden Archambault.
Rounding out the roster are eighth-graders Wes Sylvester, Baxley Roberts, Lane Marlowe and Abby Lambert; along with seventh-grader Hunter Gaster.
“We have a wonderful mix of athletes,” Welch said. “We certainly are led by three seniors and expect breakout seasons from all of them, but we also have a strong group of younger golfers who are growing their game and improving their skills each day.”
Welch feels success will come through hard work and a commitment to the sport. He is not one to set goals in terms of wins but rather based on improvement.
“We don’t set tangible goals each year,” he said. “I believe that if we focus on getting better each day and working hard while having fun, the results will take care of themselves. Golf is not life and death. We believe in learning the game while enjoying our time with each other.
“Results do not define us. Doing things the right way while positively representing our community and our school is what we strive to do.”
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