Several Local Baseball Players Earn THSBCA All-State Accolades

A total of 34 baseball players from East Texas earned all-state recognition by the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association.

Longview senior third baseman Reid Russell was the only Class 5A representative from East Texas, earning a spot on the third team.

There were six 4A players selected all-state, including two first-teamers -- Hallsville junior pitcher Connor Reich and Hallsville senior third baseman Ronnie Gideon.

Whitehouse junior pitcher Ryan Cheatham made the second team, while Whitehouse junior pitcher Patrick Mahomes, Pine Tree senior catcher Spencer Anderson and Whitehouse senior outfielder Aaron Clemons were selected to the third team.

The Class 3A all-state team had nine players from East Texas, including Rusk senior shortstop Michael Crews, who was the lone first-team member.

Second-team members were Lufkin senior pitcher Riley Smith, Bullard senior second baseman Holden Bryant, Pleasant Grove senior second baseman Alex Alsup, Spring Hill junior outfielder Ben Hollas and Van sophomore outfielder Matt Savis.

Gilmer senior second baseman Dylan Bowman, Athens junior third baseman Adam Stallings and Pleasant Grove junior outfielder Trey Jeans were all third-team honorees.

There were 10 East Texans on the 2A all-state team, including six on the first team. They were Hughes Springs junior pitcher Dylan Moore, Elkhart senior catcher Levi Smith, Hughes Springs junior catcher Chad McKinney, Hughes Springs senior shortstop Zach Bassham, Elkhart senior third baseman Jacob Cheatham and Quitman senior outfielder Lenzie Foley.

Quitman senior pitcher Jesus Arguellis made the second team, while Nacogdoches Central Heights senior pitcher Alex Phillips, Troup junior catcher Mason Mallard and White Oak senior outfielder Hunter Owens were voted to the third team.

In Class A, there were eight area players that earned all-state honors. The four first-teamers were Carlisle senior pitcher Gunner Baker, Cayuga senior pitcher Chantz Holland, Carlisle sophomore third baseman Ben Goss and Carlisle junior shortstop Caleb Colley.

Second-team selections included Harleton senior second baseman Steven Crump, Harleton senior shortstop Brooks Lloyd and Carlisle junior outfielder Zach Brightwell.

Alto junior outfielder Charlie Wallace made the third team.