20 Jackson area players to watch heading into Spring Fling
Athletes from West Tennessee start competing in the annual Spring Fling event in Murfreesboro on Tuesday as titles in baseball, softball, boys soccer, tennis and track will be handed out.
Here are 20 athletes to watch this week from the Jackson area:
BASEBALL
• USJ's Charlie Darnall - Darnall was the most experienced pitcher back for the Bruins heading into the season, and he has risen to be a leader, helping USJ reach the Division II-A state semifinals.
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• Huntingdon's Hunter Ensley - Ensley, a freshman, has made an immediate impact on the Mustangs this season with his pitching, defense and patience at the plate.
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• Lexington's Evan Gilliam - Gilliam, a senior, has been the hottest hitter on the Tiger's 19-game winning streak. Before heading to Tennessee next year, he will try to push Lexington to the Class AA state championship.
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• Trenton Peabody's Hunter Hudson - Hudson has the home-run capabilities to hit one on any pitcher, and he has been a wall at first base so far this season.
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• Lexington's Tylan Johnson - Johnson, a senior, has dealt with injuries throughout his high school career, but he will get to end his career playing at the highest level. He is a leader on this team that won’t let one mistake change his team’s mentality.
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• USJ's Rhett Peel - Peel, a senior, is a natural motivator, and he has helped lead a young Bruin team to the Division II-A state semifinals. Now he will try to keep them going to earn a spot in the state title game.
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• Huntingdon's Elijah Wilkerson - Wilkerson has played a key role in the Mustangs’ run to the Class A state tournament. He is strong behind the plate, one of the team’s top bats and can step on the mound at anytime.
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• Trenton Peabody's William Woods - Woods, a UT Martin signee, has been near unbeatable throughout the season, and he has gotten even better in the postseason. When he steps on the mound, the Golden Tide have a good chance of being victorious.
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SOFTBALL
• Scotts Hill's Melanie Alexander - Alexander has come through with clutch hits when her teams needs them. She is a determined player that excels in big moments on the field.
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• Jackson Christian's Jenna Arnold - Arnold is a three-year starter for the Lady Eagles even though she is only a sophomore. Teams have struggled to score on her throughout the postseason.
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• Jackson Christian's Sophie Dunavant - Dunavant is a home run threat at the plate, and she has been a wall behind the plate catching Arnold's pitches all year.
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• Scotts Hill's Caitlin Mitchell - Mitchell is a dual threat with her bat and in the pitchers’ circle. She will try to help the Lady Lions improve on last year’s finish in the Class A state tournament.
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• McNairy Central's Katie Turner - Turner, a junior, has been the most dominant pitcher in West Tennessee this season. She has held six teams scoreless in the postseason with seven total runs scored against the Lady Bobcats.
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SOCCER
• North Side's Rodrigo Atilano - Atilano, a junior, has scored over 35 goals so far this season, and he has the ability to make a goal-scoring opportunity out of nothing.
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• Jackson Christian's Marshall Davis - Davis, a senior, was named the 2016 All-West Tennessee Boys Soccer Defensive Player of the Year. He is more of an offensive player this year that will try to create chances for the Eagles.
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• Jackson Christian's Trace Haggard - Haggard, a junior, is one of the top goalkeepers in West Tennessee, and now he gets to put his talents on display for a second straight year at the Class A-AA state tournament.
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TRACK
• Liberty's Rodney Castille - Castille, a senior, will be competing in four events at the Class A-AA state meet as he runs on Liberty's 4x100, 4X200 and 4x400 relay teams, and he also runs the 300-meter hurdles.
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• TCA's Kevin Davis - Davis, a freshman, has qualified for state in two events. He is the No. 2 seed in the 100-meter run, and he is also running in the 200-meter run.
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TENNIS
• USJ's Cade Reasons - Reasons, a senior, already has three state championships in tennis to his name with two doubles and one team title in Division II-A.
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• TCA's Ben Sidwell - Sidwell has the Lions into the Class A-AA state semifinals as a team, and he is going for the singles state championship also. He has shown he can beat anybody in West Tennessee, and now he will try to do that at state.
Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.