Alex Love
Ethan Few won King of the Hill Pitching Award and the Jerry Henson Tigers Coaching Award at the Blue Ridge Baseball banquet Tuesday.
Alex Love
The Blue Ridge High School baseball banquet celebrated the Tigers' Peach Blossom III Championship and top players of the year.
Jayvee players serve notice that the varsity is their next step.
The Tigers finished the season (20-6) winning 17 consecutive games and the Region II 3A title for the first time in 10 years. They were eliminated in the District III tournament.
Head Coach Travis Henson broke down in tears addressing the team for all its accomplishments, a team and community that to him is one big family.
“They say it takes a village to raise a child and it takes a community to win a championship,” Henson said. “We had players, coaches, parents and the fans all out to support us and you’re always competing for someone and for something else.
“My father, Jerry, coached Blue Ridge baseball, the year I was born in the state championships, so to grow up in this community and now to be the baseball coach here doing it with my dad it means a lot about family,” Henson said.
The Tigers had six players make All-Region II, Ethan Few, Elijah Henderson, Brandon Southern, John Coker, Jacob Wilbanks and CJ Brooks.
Henderson and Few also made the South Carolina 3A All-State team. Few also was awarded Region Player of the Year.
“I feel really grateful for all these awards,” Few said. “The team and coaches behind me I couldn’t have done it without them with their leadership and their help. After I leave this year I wish them all the best of luck in the seasons to come.”
Few also became the ninth player in school history to be selected to play in the North versus South game in June in Myrtle Beach. He was selected as a pitcher.
“I was very surprised when I heard the news,” Few said. “It’s a very elite team and a big honor to play on which makes me happy.”
“I bet he will start one of those games he’s such a great pitcher,” Henson said. “He’s talented, a very hard worker and that’s what made him different. He’s able to maximize his time practicing because of his work ethic.”
Other team awards:
Most Improved Player – John Coker.
Tiger Teammate – CJ Brooks
King of the Hill Pitching – Ethan Few
Gold Glove Defensive – Brandon Southern, Jacob Wilbanks and Scootie Cannon.
Jerry Henson Tiger Coaches Award – Ethan Few.