The Tuscaloosa News continues its tradition of honoring the best high school baseball players in the area. Here are the 2024 all-area teams and the player and coach of the year:
First team
Player of the year: Jackson Henderson
Hillcrest, Sr.
Position: Outfielder
Why chosen: The Shelton State signee hit a grand slam in Game 3 of the 6A state championship series vs. Hartselle, which the Patriots won 7-6 to claim their fourth state title in program history. He had a .319 batting average with 42 RBIs, nine home runs and eight doubles. From the mound, he had an ERA of 0.93 with 83 strikeouts across 68 innings.
Addison Goodman
American Christian Academy, Sr.
Position: Pitcher
Why chosen: Goodman helped American Christian Academy reach the state championship with an 8-2 record from the mound with an ERA of 2.04, 75 strikeouts and three shutouts.
Spencer Nicholas
Tuscaloosa County, Sr.
Position: Pitcher
Why chosen: Nicholas had a 4-4 record from the mound with 87 strikeouts, a 1.09 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP.
Evan Williams
Hillcrest, Sr.
Position: Catcher
Why chosen: The Northeast Shoals Community College signee had a .327 average with 34 hits, 22 RBIs, four stolen bases and drew 33 walks. From the mound, Williams had an 8-1 record and a 2.09 ERA with 60 strikeouts through 70⅓ innings.
Cade Senn
Northridge, Sr.
Position: Infielder
Why chosen: The senior had a .397 average to go with 27 hits, 19 runs, 11 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.
Thomas Woolf
Northridge, Jr.
Position: Infielder
Why chosen: Woolf had a team-high .416 batting average to go with 32 hits, 16 RBIs and 12 runs, and drew 19 walks.
Matthew Cash
Bibb County, Sr.
Position: Infielder
Why chosen: The Jacksonville State signee had a .474 batting average, 54 hits, 31 RBIs, 16 doubles, 13 stolen bases and drew 21 walks. From the mound, Cash had an ERA of 0.80 with 53 strikeouts in 52⅓ innings pitched.
Braxton Vice
Demopolis, So.
Position: Infielder
Why chosen: Vice had a team-high .420 average with 21 hits and 19 RBIs in 50 at bats.
Eric Hines
American Christian, Jr.
Position: Outfielder
Why chosen: The center fielder had a team-high .466 average with 54 hits, 44 runs, 25 RBIs, eight home runs and nine stolen bases.
Austin Baines
Gordo, Sr.
Position: Outfielder
Why chosen: Baines had a .376 average to go with 38 hits, 37 RBIs, 25 runs, seven doubles and three triples. From the mound, he had an 8-2 record with a 1.31 ERA and 43 strikeouts over 61 innings pitched.
Brayden McCaleb
Winfield, Jr.
Position: Designated hitter
Why chosen: McCaleb had a .420 average to go with 40 RBIs, 37 hits 12 runs and five doubles, and drew 11 walks.
Bodie Giddiens
Bibb County, Jr.
Position: Utility
Why chosen: Giddiens had a .383 average to go with 41 hits, 29 RBIs, 25 runs, 13 doubles and two home runs.
Coach of the year: Mark Garner, Hillcrest
Garner led Hillcrest a 6A state championship. It marks the Patriots' fourth state title in program history and first since 2016.
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Second team
Pitcher: Spencer Davis, Hillcrest
Pitcher: Coltyn Mitchell, American Christian Academy
Catcher: Milo Obradovich, Northridge
Infielder: Cooper Sanford, Fayette County
Infielder: Kye Crimm, South Lamar
Infielder: Ellis Hamiter, Tuscaloosa Academy
Infielder: Kole Nicholson, Tuscaloosa County
Outfielder: Braylond Smith, Central
Outfielder: Hayden Ballard, Winfield
Outfielder: Landon Fike, Gordo
Designated hitter: Jack Sanderson, Northridge
Utility: Brandon Gooden, Paul W. Bryant
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