Coach Jared Britt and his Loyd Star baseball team had an amazing season in 2016. The Hornets kicked off the season looking to make a return trip to the Class 2A South State championship.

Britt and his team battled through a tough regular season schedule and Region 7-2A race to win the division crown undefeated at 10-0 for the second straight season.

After fighting through some strong competition during the regular season, the Hornets were ready to make some noise in the state playoffs. Loyd Star eliminated North Forrest, Puckett and nemesis Taylorsville in the first three rounds to return to the MHSAA Class 2A South State Championship for the second straight season.

In the South State championship, the Hornets swept the Madison St. Joe Bruins in two games to make their first appearance in the state championship since 1980.

In the Class 2A state championship series, Loyd Star fell to East Union in two straight games in the best-of-three series at Trustmark Park in Pearl. The Hornets finished the season with a 25-10 record overall.

For this accomplishment, Britt was named The Daily Leader’s Coach of the Year for 2016.

“It is a great honor to be selected as the Coach of the Year,” said Britt. “There are many great coaches in our area who put in a lot of long hours to build up their program. I am humbled to be chosen, but I have to give the credit to my players and my assistant coaches, Seth Britt, Cody Smith and junior high coach Jonathan Breakfield, who put in a lot of long hours and hard work throughout the year.

“The guys worked hard from Feb. 1 until the very last day,” said Britt. “I am so proud of all the accomplishments they made as a team. I knew coming into the season that we would strong offensively, but I wasn’t sure about the pitching rotation after losing Caleb Yarborough last season. The guys did an outstanding job stepping up to get the job done.”

Britt had three seniors on his squad who played a huge part in Loyd Star’s march to the state championship: pitcher/infielder Levi Redd, outfielder Lamar Lang and infielder Lane Rogers.

Also in the starting lineup were infielder/pitcher Cade Hodges, infielder/pitcher Konner Allen, catcher Tucker Watts, infielder Bradyn Brister, outfielder/pitcher Parker Flowers and outfielder James Beard.

Other members of the Hornets were Cole Smith, Dane Smith, Dawson Zumbro, Logan Murray, Cullen Keene, Bent Cade, Rials Hester and Logan Smith.

“We will continue to work hard each day during the offseason and into the season,” said Britt. “We will work on building up our pitching rotation and filling in the spots defensively that are opened. The guys will continue to work on their fundamentals as we look to build off this year’s success.”

Britt, 30, teaches high school science and junior and high school physical education.

“I cannot thank the community enough for the support and turnout we had this season,” said Britt. “The community, along with the student body, helped carry us throughout the playoffs.”

Britt also thanked Principal Robin Case for her support and Athletic Director Bill Vaughn for “all his hard work behind the scenes.”

Britt recently celebrated his first wedding anniversary with Heather Lawson Britt.

Britt loves being outdoors and working on his family’s cattle farm. He enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.