Robert Wilson spent 23 years at The Clarion-Ledger/Jackson Daily News as a sportswriter with more than half of those years covering high school sports, mostly in the Metro Jackson area. He helped choose the Dandy Dozen in various sports for more than a decade. Wilson rebirthed a similar team with Priority One Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Elite 11 Preseason Baseball Team based on our All-Metro team selections from the previous season. Wilson selected the best players from Hinds, Madison, and Rankin Counties from their performances last season. The players below are in alphabetical order.
By Robert Wilson
Tre Bryant, Jackson Prep, Third Baseman, Junior
Bryant had a .448 batting average with 8 doubles, 2 home runs, 28 runs and 33 RBIs and made only one error and helped Prep to its sixth consecutive and Mississippi record MAIS Class 6A state championship, a 31-4 record, and a No. 19 national ranking by Perfect Game last season as a sophomore.
He was a PriorityOne Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard All Metro Jackson second team selection last season.
He is the son of former Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant, who played 18 seasons in the NFL and holds five Falcon franchise records.
Bryant started at linebacker in football before he injured his shoulder in the third game of the season and had surgery in early September. He started working out in December, is back at full speed and expected to be in the starting lineup at the start of the season.
“Tre is coming off a year where he came into Prep (from Orange Beach) and had a big year,” Prep coach Brent Heavener said. “We are looking for really big things out of him this year. He is going to play all over the infield and will be in our closing role on the mound. We are excited to see him this year.”
Prep opened the season with a 12-0 victory over Brookhaven Academy Tuesday at home.
Konnor Griffin, Jackson Prep, Pitcher-Shortstop, Senior
The LSU signee had a 7-1 record and a 1.38 earned run average with 81 strikeouts and only 15 walks in 50 2/3 innings and had a .537 batting average with 43 runs, 30 RBIs, 6 doubles, 2 triples and 8 home runs and led Prep to its sixth consecutive and Mississippi record MAIS Class 6A state championship, a 31-4 record, and a No. 19 national ranking by Perfect Game last season as a junior.
His batting average ranked third in school history behind Gene Wood (.606 in 2014) and Luke Maddox (.579 in 2009). Griffin had only nine strikeouts in 82 at-bats and walked 22 times and had .636 on-base percentage and a .951 slugging percentage. He made only six errors and had a .932 fielding percentage and turned nine double plays.
Griffin was named the Metro Jackson Player of the Year last season. He has been first team All Metro Jackson for three consecutive seasons.
Griffin was one of three athletes to make All Metro in two sports (basketball and baseball) last season. Griffin is not playing basketball this season.
Major League Baseball rates Griffin as the No. 8 prospect – the only high school player in the Top 10 – in the MLB Draft this July.
“There are a lot of expectations going into the year for Konnor, but he has worked really hard this offseason, and is ready to step up to the challenge,” Prep coach Brent Heavener said. “He will not only be one of the best players in the state, but in the country. Konnor will be our ace on the mound and starting shortstop. He is a tremendous athlete with great work ethic. Konnor’s leadership and the type of person he is should make for an exciting year.”
Prep opened the season with a 12-0 victory over Brookhaven Academy Tuesday at home.
Drew Harrison, Germantown, Third Baseman-Pitcher, Senior
The Tulane signee had a .413 batting average with 32 runs, 29 RBIs, 5 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs and had a 4-3 record and 2 saves with 2.71 ERA and 60 strikeouts and 22 walks in 51 2/3 innings and helped Germantown to a 26-9 record and a MHSAA Class 6A semifinal finish last season as a junior.
Harrison was a second team All-Metro Jackson selection last season.
He plays third base and shortstop and is a right-handed pitcher.
“Drew will be our leadoff hitter and has speed and power,” Germantown coach Chris Peden said. “Drew was tops in the state in OBP (on base percentage), hit for a high average and had 33 walks. He will be our top returning pitcher. Drew has a high upside at the plate and on the mound. He will primarily play third, but also shortstop. Drew has put on about 10 pounds of muscle and should be in for a big senior year. We hope Drew can help lead us on a state championship run.”
Germantown opens the season against South Jones Feb. 13 at West Jones.
Jackson Hood, Germantown, Shortstop-Pitcher, Senior
The Pearl River Community College signee had a .398 batting average with 11 doubles, 6 triples, 3 home runs, 33 runs scored and 20 RBIs and had a 1-0 record with 1 save and had 11 strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings and helped the Mavs to a 26-9 record and a MHSAA Class 6A semifinal finish last season as a junior.
Considered one of the best fielding shortstops in the state, Hood was a first-team All-Metro Jackson selection last season.
“Jackson will be our everyday shortstop and is our leader on the field and in the locker room,” Germantown coach Chris Peden said. “He is a great all-around player and will hit third this year to try to get him in more RBI situations. Jackson will be one of our top arms on the mound. We hope Jackson can help us make a state championship run.”
Germantown opens the season against South Jones Feb. 13 at West Jones.
Walker Hooks, Brandon, Pitcher-First Baseman, Senior
The Ole Miss signee had an 8-3 record and a 1.89 ERA with 81 strikeouts with only nine walks in 70 1/3 innings and helped Brandon to a 23-8 record and a MHSAA Class 6A second-round finish last season as a junior.
Hooks was a second team All-Metro Jackson selection last season.
“Walker is back for his senior year and has looked all fall and winter like he’s picked up right where he left off,” Brandon coach Daniel Best said. “As always, we are expecting him to lead our staff this year with his next level ability to local four pitches and be a force on the bump. Not only has Walker been one of our top producers in the lineup this fall with his strong presence from the left side of the plate.”
Brandon opens the season against Germantown Feb. 16 at Germantown.
Parker Ishee, Ridgeland, Pitcher-Third Baseman, Senior
The Copiah-Lincoln CC signee had a 4-1 record, 1 save and a 0.78 ERA with 62 strikeouts and only 10 walks in 44 innings and helped Ridgeland to a 28-7 record and the MHSAA Class 5A semifinals last year as a junior. He also had a .302 batting average with 34 runs, 26 RBIs, 2 doubles, 1 triple and 1 home run.
Ishee was a first-team All-Metro selection as the relief pitcher.
“Parker has worked his tail off the two years I have coached him,” Ridgeland coach Eddie Easley said. “I have seen tremendous growth from him on the mound and the plate. Parker has added 15-20 pounds to his 6-2 frame this offseason in the weight room and we look for an even bigger season out of him.”
Ridgeland opens the season at Yazoo County Feb. 13.
Jay McQueen, Brandon, Outfielder, Junior
The Southern Miss commitment had a .394 batting average with 34 runs scored, 20 RBIs, 21 stolen bases, 2 doubles and 1 home run and helped Brandon to a 23-8 record and a MHSAA Class 6A second-round finish last year as a sophomore.
McQueen was a second-team All-Metro Jackson selection last year.
“Jay returns for his junior year, and we expect big things from him offensively and defensively,” Brandon coach Daniel Best said. “He will take over centerfield for us with a strong, accurate arm and the elite ability to read balls off the bat. Jay will more than likely occupy the top spot in the lineup and possibly see time in the two or three hole depending on production from others in the lineup.”
McQueen, a wide receiver in football, caught 35 passes for 650 yards and 12 touchdowns to help Brandon to a 10-3 record and the MHSAA Class 6A semifinals last fall. He caught five touchdown passes – one short of the Mississippi record – and had eight receptions for 158 yards to help Brandon to a 42-20 victory over Pearl.
Brandon opens the season against Germantown Feb. 16 at Germantown.
Peyton Puckett, Jackson Prep, Outfielder, Senior
Puckett had a .362 batting average with 7 doubles, 1 triple, 7 home runs, 22 runs and 36 RBIs and helped Prep to its sixth consecutive and Mississippi record MAIS Class 6A state championship, a 31-4 record, and a No. 19 national ranking by Perfect Game last season as a junior.
He was an All-Metro Jackson second-team selection last season.
“Peyton had a big year for us last year at the plate with seven home runs,” Prep coach Brent Heavener said. “We are expecting big things for him in his senior year. Peyton looks to be one of our power hitters in the middle of the lineup. He has a chance to put up big numbers this year.”
Puckett, who has a football offer from Division I Memphis along with many junior colleges for football and baseball, was an All-Metro Jackson football first team selection as a tight end last season. He caught 31 passes for 397 yards and four touchdowns and helped Prep to a 10-4 record and a Class 6A state runner-up finish.
Puckett’s father, Hastings, was one of the best basketball players in Jackson Academy history and led the Raiders to back-to-back Overall Tournament championships in the mid 1990s.
Prep opened the season in 12-0 victory over Brookhaven Academy Tuesday at home.
Chase Russell, Madison Central, First Baseman-Third Baseman-Pitcher, Senior
The Southern Miss signee had a .416 batting average and a .787 slugging percentage and had 7 doubles, 1 triple, 8 home runs, 29 runs and 20 RBIs and helped Madison Central to a 14-17 record and a MHSAA Class 6A first-round appearance last year as a junior. A right-handed pitcher, Russell had a 4-2 record with 1 save, a 2.52 ERA, 59 strikeouts, only 11 walks in 50 innings last season.
Russell was a second-team All-Metro Jackson selection last season.
“Chase has an advanced approach at the plate and power to all fields,” Madison Central coach Patrick Robey said. “On the mound, he pitches with a lot of aggression and attacks the zone with conviction and solid command. Chase is a competitor.”
Madison Central opens the season against Warren Central Feb. 13 at Warren Central in Vicksburg.
AJ Seiter, Clinton, Third Baseman, Senior
The Jones County Junior College signee had a .353 batting average, made only four errors with 27 runs scored, 24 RBIs, 6 doubles and 1 home run and had a 2-1 record with a 1.24 ERA and helped Clinton to a 26-6 record and a MHSAA Class 6A second round finish last year as a junior.
Seiter was a second team All-Metro Jackson selection last season.
He plays third base, second base, first base and is a right-handed pitcher.
“I’m very happy to see the player AJ has become,” Clinton coach Sam Temple said. “He has worked very hard and loves the game of baseball. His ability to play multiple positions along with pitching makes him such an impact player for our team.”
Clinton opens the season against Newton County Feb. 17 at Clinton.
Corey Watkins, MRA, First Baseman-Pitcher, Senior
The Northwest Mississippi Community College signee had a .392 batting average and an .814 slugging percentage with 10 doubles, 2 triples, 9 home runs, 33 runs, and 38 RBIs to helped Madison-Ridgeland Academy to a 23-12 record and a MAIS Class 6A runner-up finish last season as a junior.
Watkins was selected on the first team All Metro Jackson as a designated hitter.
“Corey has tremendous work ethic, and he plays with passion and brings energy to our team,” MRA coach Allen Pavette said. “He is one of our captains. Corey is becoming a solid hitter who has some power in his swing. He will be one of the impact players we need to be successful this season.”
MRA opens the season against Heritage Academy Feb. 15 at MRA in Madison.
