Ronan Kopp of Scottsdale Christian is Player of the Year; Billy Jack Bowen of Silo is Coach of the Year.
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It's not often that Small Schools players get recognized as the best player in the state, but Ronan Kopp of Scottsdale Christian Academy achieved the feat in Arizona this spring.
A junior who plays first base and pitches for the state champion Eagles, Kopp earned the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year for Arizona after excelling on the mound and at the plate. As a result, Kopp has also been named the MaxPreps Small Schools National Player of the Year.
He went 8-0 as a pitcher with 118 strikeouts and a 0.41 ERA in just 51 innings pitched. At the plate, he batted .522 with 39 RBI and 6 home runs.
Playing under the guidance of former American League Rookie of the Year Tim Salmon, Kopp helped Scottsdale Christian to a 25-1-1 record and the Arizona Conference 2A championship. Only a junior, Kopp will be back next year to help the Eagles attempt a repeat as state champions.
The Small Schools Coach of the Year is one of the winningest coaches in high school baseball history. Billy Jack Bowen has coached baseball for 33 years in Oklahoma and he led Silo to a Class 2A state championship and a 33-0 record. Bowen ranks No. 3 all-time in wins in Oklahoma with 2,041 (wins include those accumulated during the fall baseball season in Oklahoma). He is 74 wins away from the all-time leader, Murl Bowen of Asher (2,115).
Bowen's Silo team has won back-to-back state titles and, according to I Was At the Game, it's the 11th team to finish a season undefeated. Silo has the nation's longest win streak heading into next season at 40. Bowen has won 14 state championships at Silo and 19 in his career.
Members of the small schools team come from schools that generally have fewer than 1,000 students.
MaxPreps Small Schools All-American Baseball Team
Ronan Kopp, Scottsdale Christian Academy
Photo by Darin Sicurello
P — Jared Kelley, Refugio (Texas), 6-2, 200, Jr.
Honors: Victoria Advocate MVP.
Stats: 11-0 record, 0.22 ERA, 65 innings pitched, 144 Ks, .348, 3 HR, 4 triples, 9 doubles, 30 RBI.
P — Caleb Heuertz, Wall (Texas), 5-11, 175, Jr.
Honors: Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 3A All-State Team; GoSanAngelo All-West Texas Player of the Year.
Stats: .462, 12 doubles, 7 triples, 9 HR, 68 RBI, 44 runs, 13-0 record, 72.1 innings pitched, 110 Ks, 1.25 ERA.
P — Brooks Gorman, Tattnall Square Academy (Macon, Ga.), 6-1, 170, Jr.
Honors: Georgia Dugout Preview Class 1A Private Player of the Year.
Stats: 15-1 record, 0.96 ERA, 94.2 innings pitched, 125 Ks, .465, 11 doubles, 6 HR, 47 RBI.
P — Ronan Kopp, Scottsdale Christian Academy (Phoenix), 6-5, 200, Jr.
Honors: Arizona Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A State Player of the Year; Gatorade State Player of the Year.
Stats: .522, 38 runs, 39 RBI, 11 doubles, 2 triples, 6 HR, 8-0, 0.41 ERA, 118 Ks, 51 innings pitched.
P — Ryan Ramsey, Pascack Hills (Montvale, N.J.), 6-0, 190, Sr.
Honors: NJ.Com All-state Team, All-Group 2 Team; Drafted 36th round by Indians.
Stats: 8-2 record, 107 Ks, 0.66 ERA.
P — Chris Villamin, Ledford Senior (Thomasville, N.C.), 6-2, 185, Sr.
Honors: North Carolina Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A All-State Team; Davidson Dispatch All-Davidson County Player of the Year.
Stats: 5-0, 0.68 ERA, 94 Ks, 41 innings pitched, .492, 8 HR, 38 RBI.
P — Matthew Snell, Long (Skipperville, Ala.), 6-0, 190, Sr.
Honors: Alabama Class 2A State Player of the Year; Dothan Eagle Player of the Year.
Stats: 12-1 record, 104 Ks, 70 innings pitched, 1.00 ERA, .536, 12 HR, 63 RBI, 64 runs, 11 doubles, 28 walks.
P — Jay Luikart, Hillsdale (Jeromesville, Ohio), 6-0, 200, Sr.
Honors: Prep Baseball Report Division IV Player of the Year; Ohio Baseball Coaches Association Division IV All-State Team.
Stats: 68.1 innings pitched, 11-0, 0.61 ERA, 122 Ks, .505, 12 doubles, 11 HR, 54 RBI, 46 runs, 20 stolen bases.
P — Hunter Hall, Washington (N.C.), 6-2, 198, Sr.
Honors: North Carolina Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A Player of the Year.
Stats: 10-1 record, 63.1 innings pitched, 111 Ks.
P — Cade Hart, Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, La.), 6-1, 185, Jr.
Honors: Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 2A State Player of the Year.
Stats: 12-1 record, 0.488 ERA, .422, 35 RBI, 17 stolen bases.
C — Owen Jackson, Bishop McNamara (Kankakee, Ill.), 6-2, 205, Jr.
Honors: Illinois Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A All-State Team.
Stats: .466, 49 RBI, 3 doubles, 3 triples, 12 HR.
C — Mark Black, Serra Catholic (McKeesport, Pa.), 5-11, 200, Jr.
Honors: Pittsburgh Post Gazette Player of the Year.
Stats: .507, 44 RBI, 11 doubles, 3 triples, 14 HR, 30 runs.
C — Clint Hargrave, Ouachita Christian (Monroe, La.), 6-0, 170, Sr.
Honors: Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 1A Player of the Year; Star News Northeast Louisiana Player of the Year.
Stats: .404, 43 RBI, 5 HR.
1B — Rodney Gregg, Peyton (Colo.), 6-3, 150, Sr.
Honors: Colorado Class 2A State Player of the Year
Stats: .456, 22 runs, 37 RBI, 5 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HR, 9-1 record, 0.70 ERA, 76 Ks, 50 innings pitched.
Rodney Gregg, Peyton
Photo by Kevin Prickett
Honors: Kentucky Coaches Association All-State Team.
Stats: .432, 46 runs, 56 RBI, 8 doubles, 3 triples, 13 HR, 5-0 record, 1.66 ERA, 70 Ks, 46.1 innings pitched.
IF — Tarzan Alumbaugh, McCrory (Ark.), 6-2, 200, Jr.
Honors: Arkansas Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A Player of the Year.
Stats: .432, 41 runs, 65 RBI, 12 doubles, 2 triples, 8 HR
IF — Nathan Karaffa, Toronto (Ohio), 6-1, 175, Sr.
Honors: Prep Baseball Report All-State Team; Ohio Baseball Coaches Association Division 4 All-State Player of the Year.
Stats: .619, 15 doubles, 2 triples, 6 HR, 45 runs, 42 RBI, 34 stolen bases, 6-0 record, 1.67 ERA, 75 Ks, 76 innings pitched.
IF — Kemp Alderman, Newton County Academy (Decatur, Miss.), 6-4, 236, Jr.
Honors: Clarion Ledger All-State Team.
Stats: .569, 36 runs, 41 RBI, 8 doubles, 12 HR, 8-3 record, 2.83 ERA, 90 Ks, 47 innings pitched.
IF — Trevor Elliott, Mountain Empire (Pine Valley, Calif.), 6-1, 205, Sr.
Honors: California Small Schools All-State Team; East County Sports Player of the Year; All-San Diego Section second team.
Stats: .564, 37 runs, 20 RBI, 7 doubles, 3 triples, 3 HR, 6-3 record, 0.39 ERA, 168 Ks, 71 innings pitched.
IF — Hunter Ensley, Huntingdon (Tenn.), 6-1, 195, Jr.
Honors: Tennessee Baseball Report All-State Team; TBR Ultimate 9 Team.
Stats: .632, 43 walks, 12 doubles, 2 triples, 7 HR, 15 stolen bases.
IF — Carson Atwood, Silo (Okla.), 6-0, 200, Jr.
Honors: Oklahoma City Oklahoman All-State Team.
Stats: .430, 40 RBI, 9-0 record, 0.51 ERA.
OF — Jack Washburn, Webster (Wis.), 6-2, 195, Sr.
Honors: Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Div. 4 Player of the Year; Wisconsin Baseball Central Pitcher of the Year.
Stats: .505, 8 doubles, 5 triples, 6 HR, 46 RBI, 12-0, 123 Ks, 0.22 ERA, part of 5 no-hitters.
OF — Andre Tarver, Ringgold (Ga.), 6-2, 197, Sr.
Honors: Georgia Dugout Preview Class AAA All-State Team; Chattanooga Free Press Athlete of the Year.
Stats: .561, 55 runs, 36 RBI, 13 doubles, 10 HR
OF — James Beard, Loyd Star (Brookhaven, Miss.), 6-0, 190, Sr.
Honors: Clarion Ledger All-State Team; MAC Class 2A All-State Team.
Stats: .429, 46 runs, 30 RBI, 8 doubles, 10 HR.
OF — Dylan Brewer, Latta (S.C.), 6-1, 160, Sr.
Honors: South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A Player of the Year; Morning News All-Area Player of the Year.
Stats: .408, 28 RBI, 9 doubles, 6 HR, 5 wins, 1.66 ERA, 60 Ks, 33.2 innings pitched.
OF — Joey Torok, Kirtland (Ohio), 5-9, 175, Sr.
Honors: Ohio Baseball Coaches Association Division III Player of the Year.
Stats: .476, 34 runs, 6 doubles, 27 RBI, 49 stolen bases.
OF — Brandon Hendrix, Big Sandy (Dallardsville, Texas), 6-1, 180, Sr.
Honors: Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Game.
Stats: .400, 11-1 record.
AP — Bubba Gomez, Fremont Christian (Fremont, Calif.), 5-10, 190, Sr.
Honors: California Small Schools State Player of the Year; Bay Area News Group All-Area Team; San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Team.
Stats: .478, 46 runs, 37 RBI, 12 doubles, 4 triples, 5 HR, 9-6 record, 153 Ks, 1.20 ERA, 2 no-hitters, 10 career no-hitters, 82 innings pitched.
AP — Andrew Potojecki, Chatham (Va.), 6-1, 190, Sr.
Honors: VHSL Class 2A State Player of the Year.
Stats: 9-1 record, 88 Ks, 0.87 ERA, 64.0 innings pitched, .416, 23 runs, 38 RBI, 8 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR.
AP — Daniel Carrion, Winters (Calif.), 6-3, 190, Sr.
Honors: All-Northern Section Team; Cal-Hi Sports Small Schools Player of the Year.
Stats: .524, 52 runs, 29 RBI, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 30 stolen bases, 11-1 record, 1.79 ERA, 85 Ks, 62.2 innings pitched.
Bubba Gomez, Fremont Christian
Photo by Jim Malone
P — James Burchett, Kirbyville (Texas), 6-1, 165, Sr.
Honors: Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 3A All-State Team; Beaumont Enterprise Super Gold All-Area Team.
Stats: .500, 14-2 record.
P — Blade Tidwell, Loretto (Tenn.), 6-3, 180, Jr.
Honors: Tennessee Baseball Report All-State Team.
Stats: .521, 22 doubles, 72 innings pitched, 10-0, 136 Ks, 0.88 ERA.
P — Coleman Crow, Pike County (Zebulon, Ga.), 6-0, 165, Sr.
Honors: Georgia Dugout Preview Class 3A Player of the Year.
Stats: 11-0 record, 0.99 ERA, .454, 15 doubles, 45 RBI, 9 doubles.
P — Brandon Walker, North Florida Christian (Tallahassee, Fla.), 6-0, 195, Sr.
Honors: Florida Dairy Farmers Class 3A Player of the Year; Tallahassee Democrat All-Big Bend Player of the Year.
Stats: 8-2 record, 1.00 ERA, 88 Ks, 63 innings pitched, .341, 7 doubles, 5 home runs, 27 RBI.
P — Shelby Terrell, West Marion (Foxworth, Miss.), 6-2, 160, Sr.
Honors: Mississippi Association of Coaches Class 3A State Player of the Year.
Stats: 11-1 record, 1.38 ERA, 119 Ks, 81.1 innings pitched.
P — Sam Wibbels, Hastings (Neb.), 6-2, 212, Sr.
Honors: Lincoln Journal Star All-Super State Team.
Stats: 8-1 record, 120 Ks, 1.36 ERA.
P — Grayson Stewart, Providence Christian (Dothan, Ala.), 5-11, 190, Sr.
Honors: Alabama Class 3A State Player of the Year.
Stats: 9-1 record, 1.94 ERA, 72.1 innings pitched, 85 Ks, .355, 24 RBI, 31 runs.
P — Rigo Ramos, Archbold (Ohio), 6-6, 175, Sr.
Honors: Ohio Baseball Coaches Association Division III All-State Team; Prep Baseball Report Ohio Division III Player of the Year.
Stats: 11-1 record, 1.17 ERA, 138 Ks, 78 innings pitched.
P — Cade Parker, Bozeman (Panama City, Fla.), 5-11, 170, Sr.
Honors: Florida Dairy Farmers Class 1A State Player of the Year.
Stats: 9-2 record, 1.05 ERA, 91 Ks, 67 innings pitched, .382, 43 runs, 23 RBI.
P — John Thompson, Marquette (Ottawa, Ill.), 6-4, 250, Jr.
Honors: Illinois Baseball Coaches Association Class 1A All-State Team.
Stats: 10-0 record, 1.48 ERA, 72 innings pitched, 70 Ks.
C — Brady Evans, Wright City (Okla.), 5-9, 150, Sr.
Honors: Oklahoma City Oklahoman All-State Team.
Stats: .420, 50 RBI.
C — Chris Potter, Gordon Lee (Chickamauga, Ga.), 6-1, 185, Sr.
Honors: Georgia Dugout Preview Class 1A Public Player of the Year.
Stats: .398, 10 doubles, 5 HR, 37 RBI.
C — Jared Johnson, Smithville (Miss.), 6-3, 200, Sr.
Honors: Mississippi Association of Coaches Class 1A State Player of the Year.
Stats: .494, 33 runs, 27 RBI, 5 doubles, 2 triples, 10 HR, 9-0 record, 100 Ks, 0.68 ERA, 61.1 innings pitched.
1B — Nick Williams, Alexandria-Monroe (Alexandria, Ind.), 6-6, 230, Jr.
Honors: IHSBCA Class 2A All-State Team.
Stats: .430, 27 runs, 53 RBI, 11 doubles, 5 HR
1B — Drew Houchin, Bushland (Texas), 6-2, 155, Sr.
Honors: Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Game; Amarillo Globe All-Area team.
Stats: .593, 3 HR, 37 RBI.
IF — Brody Schneider, Lutheran (Parker, Colo.), 6-2, 195, Sr.
Honors: CHSAANow.com Class 3A All-State Team.
Stats: .548, 33 runs, 44 RBI, 8 doubles, 11 HR.
Brody Schneider, Lutheran
Photo by Geoffrey Sager
Honors: Clarion Ledger All-State Team.
Stats: .414, 36 runs, 8 doubles, 12 HR.
IF — Eddie Calzoncit, Blanco (Texas), 5-10, 135, Sr.
Honors: Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A-4A All-Star Game; Austin Statesman All-CenTex Team.
Stats: .479, 9 HR, 57 runs.
IF — Ryan Gully, Wall (Texas), 5-11, 163, Sr.
Honors: GoSanAngelo All-West Team; Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Team.
Stats: .429, 10 doubles, 2 triples, 28 RBI, 49 runs, 43 Ks, 0.31 ERA, 3-0 record.
IF — Mitch Sisk, Trinity Christian Academy (Jackson, Tenn.), 6-0, 200, Sr.
Honors: Tennessee Baseball Report All-State Team; TBR Ultimate 9 Team.
Stats: 12 HR, .442, 52 runs, 15 doubles, 5 triples, 59 RBI
IF — Nathan Tarver, Phoenix Christian (Phoenix), 5-11, 180, Jr.
Honors: Arizona Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A All-State Team.
Stats: .570, 43 runs, 47 RBI, 9 doubles, 7 triples, 10 HR.
OF — Timmy Porter, Mogollon (Heber, Ariz.), 5-8, 160, Jr.
Honors: Arizona Baseball Coaches Association Class 1A All-State Team.
Stats: .488, 44 runs, 43 RBI, 8 doubles, 10 triples, 3 HR, 5-0, 1.79 ERA, 34 Ks, 31.1 innings pitched.
OF — Chase Vanderginst, Alleman (Rock Island, Ill.), 6-2, 190, Sr.
Honors: Illinois Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A All-State Team; Prep Baseball Report Third Team All-State.
Stats: .409, 12 doubles, 4 triples, 7 HR, 44 RBI, 45 runs, 40 stolen bases.
OF — Carson Husmann, South Central (Union Mills, Ind.), 6-1, 190, Sr.
Honors: IHSBCA Class 1A All-State Team.
Stats: .444, 42 runs, 37 RBI, 7 doubles, 3 triples, 14 HR.
OF — Sam Kaplan, The Meadows School (Las Vegas), 6-0, 175, Sr.
Honors: Nevada Class 2A State Player of the Year; Nevada Preps All-State Team.
Stats: .680, 11 doubles, 4 triples, 8 HR, 36 RBI.
AP — Dugan Jones, Rose Bud (Ark.), 6-2, 205, Sr.
Honors: Arkansas Class 3A All-State Team; Arkansas Baseball Coaches Association Class 3A Player of the Year.
Stats: .463, 57 runs, 36 RBI, 8 doubles, 2 triples, 8 HR, 7-1, 104 Ks, 65 innings pitched.
AP — Lenny Washington, St. Joseph Central (Huntington, W. Va.), 6-3, 205, Jr.
Honors: West Virginia Class A All-State honorary captain
Stats: .552, 45 runs, 41 RBI, 9 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HR, 7-3 record, 80 Ks, 2.32 ERA, 48.1 innings pitched.
AP — Matt Alifano, Center Moriches (N.Y.), 6-1, 179, Sr.
Honors: All-Long Island Team
Stats: 9-0 record.
AP — Carson Pillsbury, Seven Rivers Christian (Lecanto, Fla.), 6-3, 195, Jr.
Honors: Florida Dairy Farmers Class 2A State Player of the Year.
Stats: 4-0 record, 74 Ks, 43 innings pitched, .473, 8 doubles, 6 home runs, 46 RBI.
AP — Emmitt Hafen, Richfield (Utah), 6-0, 185, Sr.
Honors: Deseret New Class 3A State Player of the Year.
Stats: .578, 7 HR, 50 RBI, 7-1 record, 1.47 ERA.
AP — T.R. Williams, Page County (Shenandoah, Va.), 6-2, 180, So.
Honors: VHSL Class 2A All-State Team.
Stats: .381, 29 runs, 22 RBI, 5 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HR, 9-3 record, 75.1 innings pitched, 0.743, 143 Ks.
