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