BUFORD — It’s almost like a sports Gospel: “What happened last season has no bearing on this season.”
Every coach, every year, in every sport may have their own subtle version but the meaning is always the same. And normally, there’s a lot of truth in that. New rosters, different chemistry, different schedules make for new and different challenges.
But as the 2021 Georgia High School Association baseball season gets set to open on Monday, weather permitting, coaches may have to find a new mantra to live by. The 2020 season barely got started and never finished as the GHSA shut down spring sports due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
There’s no telling what kind of carry-over effect that will have on individual players, the teams themselves, and even the coaches. Football completed its topsy-turvy 2020 season, wrestling closed out its season last week, and basketball looks poised to do the same in the coming weeks. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if in the backs of the baseballers minds there’s a twinge of doubt as to whether they will be able to finish what they started this time around.
Perhaps no team in Georgia, and certainly in the northeast Georgia area, may be more anxious to see things come to fruition than Buford. The Wolves are ranked No. 4 nationally in the Perfect Game preseason rankings and No. 1 in Class 6A. They want to show they can live up to the expectations.
And they will put that lofty ranking to the test right out of the gate playing host to 2019 Class 7A state champion Parkview on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. at Gerald McQuaig Field.
They also join a new region (8-6A) and classification after moving up in the latest round of reclassification. It may be a blessing in disguise, however, as they sat behind two-time defending state champion Loganville in Region 8-5A the last two seasons.
Buford coach Stuart Chester, now in his fourth season with the Wolves, is no stranger to bringing a team into a season with lofty ambitions. He guided Cartersville to six state titles in a 12-year span (2001-2013), with many of those teams riding huge expectations.
This year’s Buford squad has the chance to be a special one with 10 players currently sitting with Division I signings or commitments. They return five pitchers that saw time on the mound in the limited 2020 campaign, including senior RHP Treyton Rank (Florida State-signee) and junior RHP Dylan Lesko (Vanderbilt-commit). Lesko is ranked No. 2 overall in the country in his class, all positions.
Chester, however, said that can be a double-edged sword.
“Being ranked is an honor and by no means do we not appreciate the recognition,” he said. “But we try not to get caught up in rankings. We have been ranked due to college commitments and talent. Our focus is on trying to be the best team, not the most talented.
“One year (at Cartersville) we were ranked as high as 7th nationally. We got upset that year in the third round of the playoffs. We were talented, but what we didn’t know was that the locker room was not united. We were a talented team, but we were not a great team. Talented teams sometimes rely (too much) on their talent.
“We believe it’s the other way around. We want to relay on our work ethic and team chemistry, then combine talent at some point and time.”
CAN YOU KEEP WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST IN THE PAST IF IT NEVER HAPPENED?
“Losing last year’s season was very disappointing,” Chester said. “I hurt for those seniors. Little did they know that when we returned from the (Perfect Game) tournament in Hoover (Ala.) that they had played their last game (at Buford). We’ve talked about it and how they would be remembered for how they handled the situation.”
MANAGING A WELL-ARMED MACHINE...
“Managing any pitching staff in today’s game of baseball is difficult. We want our guy’s arms healthy in May. It can be difficult at times when you have a lot of arms. The biggest issue we have seen is making sure they all get enough innings to get their arm in shape and see live batters.”
NEW REGION, NEW CLASSIFICATION, NEW OPPORTUNITY?
“We are going into a very good region,” Chester said. “Dacula is always competitive as is Winder-Barrow. Brady House at Winder will more than likely be a first round draft pick. He is a game changer, and like Dylan, a fine young man.
“Class 6A has some great programs and is loaded with talent. I think the biggest difference is there are more teams that have more depth and quality arms on the mound. Allatoona, Lee County, Pope, Houston County, Kell, Carrollton are all rich in tradition and loaded with great players. It will be a huge challenge.”
CHAMPIONSHIP-OR-BUST?
“Our focus is on us, not an opponent or schedule. Talent will only get you so far, then character and team chemistry will take over. We want to improve in the locker room, and outside the fence. Inside the fence, we work hard and respect the game."
