2018 prep baseball preview: Warriors in hunt for 5-peat; Knights, Moose also in the mix

WASILLA — The Wasilla Warriors are focusing on the present, not the future. But six Wasilla seniors have the chance to win the fourth Southcentral Conference title of their careers, and the program will be in contention for its fifth straight region title.

“We’re trying not to look too far ahead,” Wasilla head coach Ken Ottinger said. “Right now, we’re trying to look game-to-game.”

Ottinger said the Warriors certainly have the motivation.

“I’m really pushing the boys hard this year. I feel, personally, I owe them something,” Ottinger said.

Ottinger’s first step was recognizing all six seniors — Ben Werner, Kyle Graham, Jimmy Arend, Austin Robertson, Dawson White and Taylon Ottinger.

“Normally, we have two captains. I went with six,” Ottinger said. “It’s a hard year for me. Five of them I’ve coached or known since they were in probably the third or fourth grade. I couldn’t give it to two captains.”

Graham, Robertson and Taylon Ottinger recently committed to play baseball at Dawson Community College in Montana. Ken Ottinger said at least two more Wasilla seniors could also play college baseball.

Overall, Ottinger said he’s seen growth in his seniors.

“Maturity, big time maturity,” Ottinger said.

Graham, Werner and Arend typically make up the heart of the Wasilla lineup. Ottinger said he likes what the Warriors have top to bottom.

“Honestly, I think our lineup of hitters is probably going to be one of the better ones I’ve had since taking of the program,” Ottinger, Wasilla’s fourth-year head coach, said. “I’m very, very happy with the hitting.”

Among Wasilla’s newcomers is junior Balau Buckmaster. His older brother Balas was a senior with the Warriors last season.

“He’s trying to fill big brother’s shoes,” Ottinger said of the infielder and pitcher.

Ottinger also noted a pair of freshmen, Clayton Boyett and Nolan Murphy, who have stepped into important roles with the Warriors.

Ottinger said Robertson, Buckmaster and Jacob Gilbert are his top arms this season.

“I have three number ones,” Ottinger said.

Colony Knights

Colony, the 2017 Southcentral runner-up, boasts its most experience in years.

“It’s been a few years since we’ve had this many seniors on the team,” Colony head coach Jordan Chadwell said. “We have good leadership on the team this year. It’s good to see. The last couple of years we’ve only had one or two seniors.”

Chadwell said experience is key to Colony’s potential for success this season.

“Most of these kids having been playing varsity sine they were a freshman,” Chadwell said.

Senior Cooper Smith, a first-team all-conference selection, is among Colony’s top seniors. Smith patrols center field and hits in the middle of the order. The senior class also includes Joe Ryan and Kolton Ketchum. Ryan can play all over the field, and Ketchum is a leader at shortstop and on the mound.

“He’s a strong team leader. When he does well, the team does well,” Chadwell said of Ketchum.

Chadwell said seniors Jeremy Allen and Frank Urbano have also shown the ability to step into bigger roles with the team. The junior class includes Zach Satterly and Trace Severson. Chadwell said Ketchum, Ryan and Severson will be among Colony’s top options on the mound, but the Knights will also look to Allen, Satterly and Urbano to contribute.

Chadwell also said the Knights are excited about the potential of freshmen Kaden Ketchum and Ben Alley.

Palmer Moose

Like his Valley rivals, Palmer head coach Dave Combs has a squad that features veteran depth. With the amount of experience on his team, Combs said Palmer has potential.

“I think they’re ready to take that next step. They’ve got to show up and play,” Combs said.

Combs lost only one player, graduated senior Aaron Christiansen.

“We’re the same exact team as last year, the same except for Aaron,” Combs said.

The Moose returned just about everyone from a squad that was within reach of the top of the pack in the conference in 2017.

“We lost eight games by two or less runs last year,” Combs said.

Senior Skyler Hale returns as Palmer’s lone first-team all-conference selection last year. Combs listed James Nelson, Brady Shults, Luke Guggenmos and Keagan Norman among is standouts. Combs said Alasdair McKechnie has stepped into a prominent role.

“He’s going to be key for me,” Combs said.

Combs also noted Cade Holland.

Overall, Combs is excited about the talent on his squad.

“I’m 12 deep. That’s a good thing to have,” Combs said.

Houston Hawks

The Houston Hawks entered the 2018 season led by first-year head coach Jaden Sears, a former Houston player. The Hawks feature a number of veterans, including infielders Morgan Buntin and Reed Graham, and catcher Noah Plumb.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.