Three Dyer County players selected for Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Showcase

JASON PEEVYHOUSE

jpeevyhouse@stategazette.com

Landon Willis

A trio of Dyer County High School baseball players will have a chance to show off their skills this week as two juniors and a freshman have been chosen for the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Showcase in Nashville last week.

Jack Smith

Dyer County juniors Landon Willis and Jack Smith, along with sophomore Talon Messer were named to the TBCA Region 7 & 8 Showcase team. The Choctaw trio will compete against other regional showcase teams from across Tennessee.

The event is scheduled for June 10-11 at Belmont University in Nashville.

Smith played in the outfield this past season for the Choctaws during Dyer County’s state tournament run.

Talon Messer

“Jack Smith has stepped up for us this year in the outfield and at the plate,” Dyer County Head Coach Derek Hinson said. “I believe this summer is going to be big for Jack, especially getting to go to TBCA and be seen by 40 plus scouts.

“I know Jack will make sure they remember him one way or another at the TBCA.”

Fellow junior Willis split time between the outfield and the mound for Dyer County this past season.

“Landon Willis is another guy for us that went 8-2 on the mound and has grown so much from his sophomore year to his junior year,” Hinson explained. “Along with Jack, Landon will also need a big summer to get ready for his senior campaign.”

Sophomore Messer played third and was a key cog in the Choctaw offense this past season.

“Talon Messer stepped up big especially being a sophomore and has grown so much as a player and a person,” Hinson added. “I couldn’t be more proud of Talon. It’s special to be selected as a sophomore and that shows what type of talent he has.”

The Choctaw head coach said it speaks well of the program to have three players selected for this event.

“In the end this just shows what type of program we have that our guys are getting selected year in and year out to represent the TBCA Region 7 and 8,” Hinson said. “We will continue to push our guys to be the best and the recognition they deserve.”