The legend of Columbia Academy slugger Slade Wilks continues to grow with the rising senior named both an Under Armour and Perfect Game All-American.
That marks him as one of the top 40 players in the nation and gives him the opportunity to play at two big league stadiums in nationally broadcast games.
Columbia 11u claimed its fifth straight state championship since it’s been together Sunday in Laurel while outscoring the opposition 61-10 in five games.
For the third consecutive year, the group that makes up Columbia Dean Griner 8u captured a state title while having to fight its way out of the losers’ bracket.
Head coach Ryan Stringer said it was impressive to see the young all-stars pull it off once again.
The Columbia Duckworth 8u all-stars bounced back from a tough loss Saturday night to capture the District II state title Sunday at Tatum Park in Hattiesburg.
In its first year playing summer ball, the Columbia 6u squad learned some tough lessons as it finished as the runner-up in the state tournament in Cleveland Sunday.
The Columbia 7u all-stars had a brief run in the state tournament in Cleveland and were eliminated after just two games.
The 7u squad opened the tournament Friday night with a 6-3 loss to Pike County and was eliminated Saturday morning with a 6-5 loss to Natchez.
The Columbia 9u all-stars won perhaps the most memorable game of the weekend in an extra-inning thriller Saturday morning, but they lost their other two games of the state tournament in Laurel and were eliminated Saturday night.
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The Columbia 10u all-stars advanced to the state tournament this past weekend after demolishing the competition in their district tournament a combined 69-4 in four contests.
The 10u squad will play in the 10u state tournament July 12 through July 14 in Mendenhall.
The Columbia Duckworth 8u all-stars swept the competition in their district tournament in Lumberton June 21 and June 22 and are heading to the state tournament.
The all-star squad will head to Hattiesburg July 5 through July 7 for the state tournament.
POPLARVILLE — Pearl River fans have long known about Wiley Cleland’s abilities. National observers must have also taken notice because the Columbia native was named to the NJCAA All-America Third Team, the organization announced Tuesday.
The shortstop is the eighth NJCAA All-American in program history.
