Cavaliers Look For Another Title in 2006
The Princess Anne Cavaliers baseball team made quite a name for themselves last year. When they won the state championship in a twelve-inning nail-biter over Osbourn High School, it was the first time that this baseball team had accomplished such a feat in recent memory. In fact, the Cavaliers’ Beach District championship in 2005 was the first one in twenty years. Coach Jimmy Hunt, who graduated from Princess Anne in 1984 and has been coaching there for seven years, may be among the few who remember the time before that two-decade dry spell.
Coach Hunt knows why it has been so long. “It is always difficult to get out of the Beach District because there are always seven or eight teams who can beat you,” he says. “This is probably the best-coached district in the state. And only two teams can advance beyond the district. That’s why it’s so tough.” Indeed, there will be several teams that will keep the Cavaliers on their toes this season, including First Colonial, Kellam, Cox, Salem and Ocean Lakes, to name a few.
Hunt’s capable leadership just might be enough to allow the Cavaliers to repeat last year’s performance. His objective is to make them feel comfortable enough on the diamond to execute plays well. Confidence, claims Hunt, is as much a factor in the success of a baseball team as good play. “I need to make this team believe that they can be as good as they were last year. They have big shoes to fill,” he explains.
The Cavaliers have changed since last year, though. They lost thirteen seniors to graduation so they are a younger team overall. On the other hand, this year’s roster possesses strengths that will allow them to make significant headway in the district. Many of the athletes play on traveling teams outside of school. They have been conditioning all year long as well and Hunt encourages the young men to attend study hall together. He maintains that this team spirit contributes to their success. “The fact that we are a family really helps when it comes to crunch time. The unity of the team pays dividends in the spring.”
There are several players to keep an eye on as this season begins. Senior Zach Woods, a right-handed pitcher, has already signed with East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. Junior Tyler Mann, a centerfielder who throws right-handed and hits left, has been getting letters from some Division I schools.
Jake McAloose, an eighteen-year-old senior, is probably the best shortstop in the district. In fact, McAloose was named to first-team All-Beach District, and second-team All-Tidewater and All-Eastern Region. He will be taking his command of the infield to Old Dominion University after he graduates this year.
As one of only a few seniors on the team this year, McAloose explains that he has two roles to fill this year. First is his technique. “There are a lot of different things that I work on in practice to keep good technique,” he says. “Of course I work on my infield game and hitting too. I like to balance out my practices so everything gets covered.”
Aside from making key plays for the Cavaliers, however, McAloose’s leadership will likewise help muster the skill necessary for Princess Anne to prove formidable in the district this season. “One of my goals for 2006 is to motivate the younger players to work harder and get stronger. That’s how I think I can best help out the team,” he says.
McAloose attributes both his ability to play solid baseball and his knack for motivating other players to good leadership that he has had the privilege of observing. Nick Booth, coach of Virginia Wesleyan College’s baseball team, has tutored McAloose for more than a decade. McAloose explains, “I’ve been working with him since I was seven. When I was younger I would go to his camps. He really pushed me and made me a better player.” Even as he is about to step onto the collegiate level, McAloose still refines his technique weekly with Booth.
McAloose looks forward to this season and the promise that the new crop of players shows. “If we are going to be as good as we were last year, many people have to step up and work hard.” Like a true leader, he is optimistic. “We can and will be strong.”
