MEADVILLE – The North Pike Jaguars and the Franklin CountyBulldogs held top honors in the 2001 All-Division 6-3A baseballselections. The Jaguars came off one of their best season’s ever,going 22-4 and reaching the second round of the Class 3A stateplayoffs before losing to eventual state champion West Lauderdalein a two-game sweep.

The Jaguars placed seven members on the all-district squad thatincludes six seniors and one sophomore. Four of the Jaguarsseniors, Michael Clements, Buddy Van Norman, Phillip Coffey andJosh Matthews, have already signed scholarships with SouthwestCommunity College in Summit.

“Pitching was our key this year,” said North Pike head coachGeorge Lott. “Our seniors really stepped up this year. We startedclicking around the start of district play.”

One player the Jags counted on most of the year was Van Norman(10-2, 7-0) with surprising pitching that stunned many teams hefaced.

“Buddy improved tremendously from last summer to the start ofthe season,” continued Lott. “He’s one of those seniors that we’rereally going to miss next year.”

The other three Southwest signees (Clements, Coffey andMatthews) also provided a spark during the season whenever the Jagsneeded a lift. Clements, a crafty pitcher and hitter, led the Jagsin homers with 10 with a .470 batting average. Matthews,aoutfielder, held a .400 batting average most of the season until alate season slump knocked him down to around .300. Coffey kept theJags on the winning page with solid catching and an offensiveminded .398 batting average.

Other members of the Jags all-district roster includes secondbaseman J.R. Alexander; first baseman/outfielder Brady Eldridge andsophomore pitcher Dusty Davis.

The next team on the all-division list was the Franklin CountyBulldogs. The Bulldogs struggled through a season of early ups andmid-to-late season downs, never finding their true identity as ateam before being beat 2-1 in the playoffs by a dismal ForestBearcat ball club.

“We never got it going,” said former Bulldog head coach JohnnyMonroe. “Cole’s injury robbed him and us of probably a real goodseason. I think we probably could have went as far as South Stateif it wasn’t for injuries and attitude.”

Monroe’s Dawg finished 12-11 with Zumbro providing the sparkmost of the way with 13 home runs, 32 RBI’s and 10 stolen bases.Zumbro had homers through 12 games as late March rolled around whena case of severe back spasms ended his season on the mound. Teamsalso began to pitch around Zumbro in April, walking him severaltimes as he tried to break the tie on the Bulldogs’ 14 year-oldhome run record of 13. Zumbro was walked 10 out of 12 times at batin the playoffs. He still led the state in home runs with 13.

“Cole probably would have broke a state home run record if notfor the injury,” continued Monroe. “He’s helped us a lot throughthe years on and off the field.”

Zumbro, a Copiah-Lincoln Community College signee, will bringhis powerful swing and arm to the Wesson campus for the 2001-2002season. He joins District 6-4A and 6-2A stars Michael Edwards ofLawrence County and Chase Coley of Loyd Star on the Wolvesteam.

Another Bulldog that was honored on the all-division team wasjunior centerfielder Vance Windom. Windom (6-0, 175) paced theBulldogs attack with 26 stolen bases on two homers and 17 RBI’s.Windom’s speed and aggressive behavior provided leadership when theDawgs need it the most through a mid-season slump.

Other Bulldogs on the list includes future Millsapspitcher/third baseman Gregg Williams. Williams played off and onthroughout the season with the Dawgs after suffering a knee and leginjury in November while playing football that robbed him of abreakout year with the Dawgs. Williams still controlled the bestpitching record on the team at 3-1 and ground out four RBI’s.

The last two Bulldog selections included sophomore pitcher/thirdbaseman Colby Beach and junior first baseman Kyle Trout. Beachserved as the Dawgs most illusive player by posting a 3-4 record onthe mound and collecting two homers and 15 RBI’s at the plate.

Trout (6-2, 170) kept the Dawgs happy at first base with 10RBI’s on offense.

Other area selections include Hazlehurst outfielders Fred Fairand Damien Gary. Port Gibson players Mason Denham and James Hall,Amite County basemen Ricky Allen and Carlus Brown and WilkinsonCounty Wildcats Mario Russ and Shane Spencer.

@Bbstandings:All-Division 6-3A

North Pike – Michael Clements, Buddy Van Norman, PhillipCoffey, Josh Matthews, J.R. Alexander, Brady Eldridge, DustyDavis.

Franklin County – Cole Zumbro, Vance Windom, GreggWilliams, Kyle Trout, Colby Beach.

Port Gibson – Mason Denham, James Hall.

Wilkinson County – Mario Ross, ShaneSpencer.

Amite County – Carlus Brown, Rickey Allen.

Hazlehurst – Damien Gary, Fred Fair.