By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
CENTRE – Cherokee County High School baseball coach Bret Henderson wishes he had senior catcher Jace Turner his entire high school baseball career.
Originally from North Paulding High School in Georgia, Turner’s family moved to Sand Rock after his freshman year. Prior to his senior year, Turner transferred to Cherokee County High.
In his lone season with the Warriors so far, Henderson said Turner has adapted well. He said his attitude has been tremendous. He’s vocal. He keeps the mood at practice lighthearted. And he’s given the Warrior pitching staff confidence with him behind the plate.
As a hitter, Henderson said Turner is super-aggressive. He’s moved him from the three spot in the lineup to second and he’s now batting leadoff.
“He’s been very good for this baseball program this year,” Henderson said. “He loves the game. He’s originally from Georgia, but all the kids have accepted him. He’s just been so impactful. We’ve just been blessed to have him be a part of it.”
That impactful player will get his shot playing at the next level. Turner signed a baseball scholarship with Coastal Alabama Community College in Bay Minette on Friday.
This season for the Warriors, Turner has tallied a .371 batting average with five doubles, four home runs, 22 walks, six stolen bases in six attempts, five hit by pitches, 21 runs and 16 RBIs. His overall on-base percentage is .546 and his slugging percentage is .614.
Behind the plate for the Warriors, Turner has thrown out 10 runners on the bases in 107 innings.
“I’ve loved the game of baseball my whole life,” Turner said. “It’s been a dream that feels so far to get to, but then you get that first conversation with a (college) coach and you’re like ‘Wow, it’s getting that time.’ It’s been very heartwarming for me.”
Something else that’s been heartwarming for Turner is the reception he’s gotten with the Warriors.
Back in the fall, he was a starting safety on the football team, which made the Class 4A state title game for the second straight season. Turner said his senior year will be an experience he’ll never forget.
“All of the coaches here have been great. Everyone supports every sport, every activity. It’s just been great having all of that support,” Turner said.
But just as he’s gotten used to the Warrior way, Turner is about to turn around and make another adjustment to college. However, after doing his research and visiting the campus in Bay Minette, Turner feels the Coyote program is a lot like the one in Centre.
“When I went down there on a visit, they had a softball game. I think it was against Shelton State. We parked on the other end of the campus, but from the other end of the campus you could hear cheering. I was like ‘What’s happening?’ I walked over and there were whole bleachers full. That just kind of reminds me of Cherokee County,” Turner said.
Turner said Coastal Alabama has a new president in Aaron Milner and a new baseball coaching staff led by JD Pruitt. Turner feels both Milner and Pruitt understand what it takes to build a successful baseball program, and he’s excited to be part of that process.
“The president of the college used to play college baseball with the head coach of the team,” Turner said. “They didn’t have the nicest of facilities. They didn’t have batting cages or the nicest field, but the president and head coach understand now what you need to be a successful program.
“They’re getting a $10 million indoor facility with cages, mounds, a new locker room, a new weight room. They’ve upgraded the place. The past three or four years, they’ve been a low to mid-tier junior college in Alabama, but this year, that new coaching staff came in and recruited a whole new class. They’ve got their own guys they liked and they wanted. They’re 15-3 in conference right now, and they’ve played some of the best JUCO teams in the nation. They’re on the rise, and that’s something I want to be a part of. I want to go there and battle for a spot, work my way up and see where it takes me.”
Henderson believes Turner has what it takes to be successful at the next level.
“He knows the game,” Henderson said. “I’ve told him not to be afraid to go to a small school, because you never know what the future holds. He wants to be a big impact player for them, and I know he will be. They’re getting a great kid.”