Raiders Expectations Are High For A Successful Season

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By Marlana Smith

  Head Coach Scott Gaines comes into his 19th season with a 126-126 overall record. He will be assisted Tim Shockley.

  Coach Gaines said the team wants to compete for a conference championship and put themselves in a good position to make a deep postseason run.

  The Raiders will start the season with 15 players. Seniors Cade Fallert, Kaden Hunolt and Casey Vannoy bring a lot of leadership and experience to the group.

  “Cade and Kaden have been key starters for a few years now, so they will be expected to be the leaders on the team,” said Coach Gaines.

  Seven juniors will represent the team: Bo Bacon, Aiden Barrick, Isaac Berry, T.J. Belt, Cole Browning, Grady Gander and Gavin Parsons.

  Ben Strain in the only sophomore on the team.

  Four freshmen will begin their first season as a Raider. They are Ty Bacon, Cooper Belt, Colton Gander and Kale Pollard.

  Key players this season are Fallert, Hunolt, Browning, Berry and Ty Bacon.

  Gander will return as catcher. Gaines said he will be a key leader on the field. Bo Bacon will be a key leader in the outfield group.

  North Shelby began practice March 3.

  The team has been preparing for the upcoming season by getting a lot of reps in all aspects of the game.

  “We try to get the pitchers as much mound time as possible, so their arms are ready to go once the season gets here,” Gaines said.

  “We work on the fundamentals of fielding and hitting every day.  Weather permitting, we spend as much time on the field as we can.”

  Spring weather is so unpredictable, so the team takes advantage of all the good weather days they can to get on the field.

  There isn’t one game Coach Gaine can pinpoint that he anticipates the most.

  “All games are important.  Being back in a conference again is big.  Those games bring added importance to the schedule.  Any game we play against a district opponent is huge for seeding at the end of the year,” said Gaines.

  The Raiders hope to provide their fans with some exciting games this year.

  “We return a lot of experience, so our expectations are high to have a successful season,” Gaines said.

  North Shelby’s first game is scheduled for Monday, March 24, at Canton beginning at 5:00 p.m.

  Gaines added, “We appreciate all the coverage the Shelby Co. Herald gives our teams and athletes.”