BOGUE CHITTO – Jody Britt has turned around the baseball programat Bogue Chitto. The Bobcats have gone from also-rans to statetitle contenders in just two years.

Gaining loads of respect along the way, Britt’s Bobcats posted a22-8 worksheet in 2011 and reached the South State 1A championshipseries where they lost to Nanih Waiya, the eventual state champion.It was a complete turnaround from the previous season’s 7-13worksheet.

His accomplishments have earned Britt The DAILY LEADER’sAll-Lincoln County Baseball Coach of the Year honors.

“Bogue Chitto has gained respect,” said Britt. “We are not an easywin anymore.”

Directed by four seniors, three of them starters, the Bobcatsasserted themselves. Pitcher/shortstop Michael Martin, secondbaseman Garrett Wallace, third baseman Reid Bales and outfielderJames Wilson provided the leadership.

Also in the BC lineup were outfielder Colton McClendon, catcherHunter Ginn, rightfielder Brock Roberts, first baseman KevinBrothern, pitcher/outfielder Brice Roberts and pitcher/leftfielderZach Avants.

“We have a good group coming back but we will be young,” saidBritt. “Our kids did a real good job this season. They did a lot oflearning the simple basics of baseball and they were still learningin the playoffs.”

Britt said his team developed a positive mentality. “They became alot more aggressive on the base paths and scored more runs. I thinkwe averaged 10 runs a game.”

He said assistant coach Kenneth Wallace was an asset to the team.”He did the scouting reports and kept things in order,” alsocoaching first base.

During his playing career, Britt absorbed the baseball knowledge ofSidney Wheatley at Loyd Star, Keith Case at Copiah-LincolnCommunity College and Lee Kuyrkendall and Brian Owens atMississippi College.

“The past coaches I’ve had, plus some input from coaches I workwith now, have influenced my coaching style,” said Britt. Hepraised the coaching skills of Bogue Chitto softball coach ScottLeggett, who he works with during the fall slowpitch season.

“Scott has helped me out a lot when he’s not coaching (fastpitch),”said Britt. “He’s usually in the dugout with me. I’ve learned neverto panic. He’s always positive.”

Britt promoted pride in his teams’ offensive skills. “We take a lotof pride in getting a hit with an 0-2 count and two outs.”

Britt said he appreciated the enthusiastic support provided by thecommunity. “We had a standing-room-only crown for the Nanih Waiyagame. That helps our team a lot.”

He is engaged to be married to West Lincoln graduate Britnee Smithwho was recently hired to coach softball at Seminary. Their weddingdate is Oct. 22.

He said his players would be busy playing summer league baseballand lifting weights. They’re looking forward to next season.

Britt, 26, comes from a baseball family. The 2003 Loyd Stargraduate had two older brothers who played college baseball. Hislate brother, Jeff, played for Co-Lin and Henderson State (Ark.)University. His other brother, Kevin, played for Co-Lin and latercoached at Brookhaven Academy and Petal before entering schooladministration.

Their parents are Dennis and Alice Britt of the Mt. Zioncommunity.

Jody played baseball at Loyd Star, Co-Lin and Mississippi College,first as a pitcher and then as an infielder. He was a shortstop atMC where he graduated in 2007, with a degree in kinesiology.