Athletic teams work hard so that they can get better and be prepared once game time rolls around. While practice and putting in work on your own can be important, so can competing against other teams that can help your team work on things that you did not realize in practice.
The Elk City Elks have a tough schedule this upcoming spring and head coach Jay McClure says that he is looking forward to the opportunity to take on some really good teams.
“We go to Gulf Shores, Alabama for spring break and get to see some of the best teams from that region,” he said. “We also have 4A state runner-up Tuttle and 4A state champion Blanchard on the schedule. If we want to be at the top of 4A this season, we need to play the best, so our kids know what it takes to get there.”
Looking back on last season, McClure likes how his team finished the season and he looks for that to carry over.
“Last season we started off a little slow,” McClure recalled. “In the second half of the season, we finally found our stride. We won 14 of our last 16 games to make a run to the state tournament. We beat a very talented Verdigris team 7-3 in the first round, before getting beat 6-5 in the semifinals by Tuttle. This is a fun group of young men to be around. We are blessed with a group of good young men. They are good role models for our younger kids to look up to and strive to be like.”
The team will have a few players that they will look to step up and play big roles this season. Junior Kash Mayfield is an ace on the mound and gives his team the chance against just about anyone. Kaden Holder is a senior and a three-year starter in the outfield. He is an explosive athlete and can put pressure on defenses. A sophomore that will be looking to play at shortstop and also designated hitter will be Catch Geno. He is baseball smart, understands the game, and knows what role he is playing on the team.
Harrison Mayfield was a big part of the pitching staff last season, before an injury ended his season. The senior has worked through the offseason to come back stronger this season. After a junior season that saw him go 7-2 on the mound, Cooper Church will look to be a key player this season. Kye Keyes, a senior, is a three-year starter and is a high-character young man.
Coach McClure reminds his players that a new season starts with a clean slate and he has high hopes for his team.
“We tell our young men all the time, last year is in the past and this is a new team,” McClure said. “We expect our young men to execute, and hopefully make another run at the state tournament this season.”
