Avery Griffin officially signed to continue his baseball career with Copiah-Lincoln Community College back in November but put off his signing ceremony until this week after falling ill before Christmas.

“I was feeling bad for a while and went to the doctor and they told me I had mono,” said Griffin, a short stop and right-handed pitcher for Brookhaven Academy.

You don’t want anyone to be sick, but it’s better that Griffin got that out of the way prior to the season, as he’s going to be counted on heavily as a senior leader in 2024 for the Cougars.

“I definitely had to take it easy for a while, but I’ve been cleared for the last couple weeks and I’m going full speed now,” said Griffin ahead of a practice this week.

This season will be the first for the Cougars to be led by Randy Spring. Spring, a state championship winning coach during his time at Brookhaven High, has slid into the head coach spot after previously being an assistant at BA.

Spring says Griffin has all the tools needed to play at the next level.

“He’s a great kid, who’s very athletic and who’s got a lot of upside,” said Spring. “Avery has a strong arm and is a good runner. He’s had a great offseason and preseason this year.”

Griffin is also joining a program in Wesson that’s very familiar to him, as his older brother Judson is a freshman pitcher this season for CLCC.

“He’s told me he really likes it there and I’m excited about the direction the program is headed,” said Griffin. “It just felt like a natural fit for me.”

Before he gets his chance to college ball, Griffin will be counted on to be a leader on the field this season for a BA team that’s going to be loaded with underclassmen. It’s a role that he’s taking seriously.

“I just know that I’m going to have to be better this season than I’ve ever been,” said Griffin. “I think we’ve got the talent to have a great year, but I know that as one of four seniors on the team, I’m going to have to be more of a leader.”

Other seniors for BA in 2024 include Sam Evans, Sam Stevens and Matt Newman. Newman signed a scholarship to play baseball at Southwest Mississippi CC next season.

Spring’s first team also has four juniors, five sophomores and 13 freshmen.

Griffin isn’t the only local signee for the Wolves in the Class of 2024. CLCC also inked speedy Lawrence County outfielder Kannon Cato and Donovan Moore of Franklin County, who can play infield or outfield. Other signees from the class for the Wolves include pitcher Jennings Kimbrell (Madison-St. Joe), catcher Kane Welborn (Stringer), pitcher Wes White (Northwest Rankin), pitcher/infielder Jaxon Rayborn (West Jones), pitcher Tanner Blackwell (Tri-County Academy), infielder Trey Davidson (Northwest Rankin), utility player Bardley Hanlon (Neville, La.), pitcher/infielder Parker Ishee (Ridgeland High), pitcher infielder Conner Watkins (Warren Central), pitcher/outfielder Cameron Patterson (Central, La.), pitcher Carter Leggett (West Jones) and pitcher/outfielder Cohen Weinhoffer (St. Patrick).

Co-Lin finished 15-35 last season in the debut campaign under head coach Adam Chamblee. Chamblee and his staff will begin their second season in Wesson with three games in Pensacola on Feb. 2-3. The Wolves will host Delgado Community College in the home opener on Feb. 6.

Griffin and the Cougars open their 2024 season on Feb. 5 at home against Centreville Academy.