ACCS falls short of playoffs
Published 12:01 am Monday, April 18, 2011
NATCHEZ — Adams County Christian capped off its season Friday night with a 12-2 win against Amite School Center.
The win gave the Rebels a 15-10 overall record to finish the year. They also went 5-7 in MAIS District 5-AA, a powerhouse district that features Centreville Academy and Central Private School from Baker, La.
ACCS head coach Hunter McKeivier said he would stack his district up against any other district in the MAIS, but stopped short of predicting a better record if his team played in a different division.
“You can’t really predict what could have or should have happened in another district,” McKeivier said.
“When you have the tough teams like the Centrevilles, the Central Privates and the Sillimans, you know it’s a tough road to work for. But, as far as what we’d do in another district, we won’t be able to tell until we change districts (next year).”
The Rebels graduate just two seniors, and McKeivier said he hopes another year of strength means his returning players will be able to compete for district and state championships.
“Our guys got another year of experience, dealing with the ups and downs of another year,” he said. “Hopefully another year in the weight room will get us bigger, stronger and faster.”
Natchez High
Natchez High School’s Javon Washington had a rougher week than normal last week.
Against Terry High School April 8, Washington was cruising with a 4-0 lead before he yielded nine runs on eight hits. The Bulldogs eventually lost 15-4.
Against Lanier Saturday, Washington blew the save in the top of the seventh, failing to hold Lanier despite having a 5-4 lead. Lanier scored two runs, but NHS got one run back in the bottom of the seventh, tying it 6-6 and sending the game to extra innings.
Washington gave up an additional run in the top of the eighth before NHS scored four runs in the bottom of the frame, three on a walkoff home run by Davion Ward. Washington was credited with the win.
“He’s having a little problem with his command right now,” NHS head coach Charlie Williams said. “It will work itself out in the long run. He’s struggled a little bit, but all my marbles are still in on Javon.”
NHS (14-7) will host host Warren Central a 6 tonight.
Vidalia High
Vidalia High School fell to Avoyelles High School 9-6 Thursday night, and the game wasn’t without some controversy.
Down 8-4 in the bottom of the fifth, Vidalia was threatening, and appeared to add two more runs to cut the lead to two. The Vikings’ Heath White hit into what looked like a sure-fire double play, but White managed to beat the throw to first.
The fielder’s choice would have scored teammates Jamal Davis and Devin Barnes, but the umpire ruled that the runner heading to second put his arms out, interfering with the play, and White was called out at first.
Vidalia head coach Tim Herndon later argued with the umpire over the call, but Herndon insisted he wasn’t deliberately trying to get thrown out.
“When I was an assistant under Johnny Lee (Hoffpauir, former head coach), I had to learn not to get too fired up,” Herndon said. “Johnny Lee would always get thrown out, so I had to make sure I didn’t, otherwise, we would have had to forfeit. I had to be calm, and I guess it stuck with me.”
Vidalia will play at Bolton High School at 6 tonight.