Arkansas High School Coaches Association East-West All-Star Games

Baseball: King has big weapons on mound for All-Star games

Pea Ridge coach to lead West squad

John King has enjoyed plenty of success, racking up 472 victories in his 28 years as head baseball coach at Pea Ridge.

King is looking forward to the opportunity to guide the West All-Stars in tonight's Arkansas High School Coaches' Association All-Star Baseball Games being played at Bear Stadium on the campus of the Central Arkansas.

At A Glance

Arkansas High School Coaches’ Association Baseball Games

Today, 5 p.m (Doubleheader)

At Bear Stadium, Central Arkansas, Conway

East Squad

East

Name^School

Ashton Kennedy^Armorel

Payton Lannon^Armorel

Dillon Groves^Brookland

Drew Tipton^Bryant

William Hancock^Little Rock Catholic

Jacob Adams^Conway

Clayton Douglas^Hamburg

Derek St. Clair^Jacksonville

Wilson Murff^Jonesboro

Tyler Herrin^Mayflower

Cole Anderson^Mountain Home

Mason Gibson^Nettleton

Colton Willis^Newport

Dylan McLemore^Rivercrest

Kollin Stone^Riverside

Mark Moyer^Russellville

Logan Clark^Smackover

Nash Thomas^Valley View

Cody Raymond^Marion

John Beck^Wonderview

Taylor Stitt^Woodlawn

Nathan Harrison^Wynne

Head Coach: Josh Allison, Valley View

Assistants: Johnny Fleming, Rivercrest; Clayton Gardner, Viola; Adam Neal, West Memphis.

West

Name^School

Brian Gloeckler^Bentonville

Caleb Dunn^Dierks

Cale Ridling^Genoa Central

Caleb Stutts^El Dorado

Keaton Austin^Farmington

Andy Pagnozzi^Fayetteville

Garrett Huff^Genoa Central

Dylan McDearmon^Greenbrier

Drew Fitzgerald^Harrison

Chase Kilgore^Rogers Heritage

Trevor Edwards^Kirby

Hayden Headley^Lavaca

Brent Loyd^Magazine

Hunter McDade^Ouachita

Coleman McClure^Ozark

Blake Cotton^Pea Ridge

Tyler Allen^Sheridan

Evan Thompson^Sheridan

Ty Harpenau^Fort Smith Southside

Austin Morgan^Taylor

Austin Cree^Trinity Christian

Head Coach: John King, Pea Ridge

Assistants: Keith Kilgore, Rogers Heritage; Jay Harper, Farmington; Mark Ballisterri, Benton.

West Squad

It's not King's first all-star experience as he served as a head coach in the game before it was under the guidance of the Arkansas Activities Association.

"That was 20 years ago," King said. "It was a great experience then, a lot of work organizationally. When we get here, this is the fun part."

King just wants to make sure all the players get a chance to showcase their talent, which isn't always easy with a 22-man roster and two 7-inning games.

He believes the West's pitching should be an asset, led by Fayetteville's Andy Pagnozzi and Fort Smith Southside's Ty Harpenau. Pagnozzi was named the Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year and has signed to play at Ole Miss, while Harpenau will play at Texas Tech.

"I'm excited to get a look at them," King said. "They are from up in our area and I've heard a lot about them."

King will also get to see one of his own finish out his high school baseball career tonight. Blake Cotton was a two-year starter behind the plate for King's Blackhawks.

"He's an outstanding receiver," King said.

Bentonville's Brian Gloeckler and Chase Kilgore of Rogers Heritage are also part of the West All-Stars, making for a big 7A-West contingent with Pagnozzi and Harpenau.

East coach Josh Allison, who played in the All-Star games in 2001 in Baum Stadium, will be missing a pair of top arms.

Bryant's Blaine Knight and Grey Fenter of West Memphis were two of the better arms on the other side of the state, but both declined to participate in the All-Star games. Knight, an Arkansas signee, is playing this summer in a collegiate league in California.

Fenter, who has a fastball in the mid-90s, was chosen by the Baltimore Orioles in the eighth round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He recently signed for a bonus of $1 million.

Paul Boyd can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAPaulb.

Sports on 06/23/2015

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