Gabe Wilson and Scottie Peavey readily exchange compliments whenasked about each other’s diamond skills. Both seniors wereinstrumental in Brookhaven’s march to the Class 5A state baseballplayoffs, starring in the field and at the plate.

Their performance has earned them Co-Most Valuable Player honors onThe DAILY LEADER’s 2011 All-Lincoln County Baseball Team. Alsoreceiving special honors on the DL’s Dream Team were Loyd Star’sKorey Allen, Most Valuable Offensive Player; and BrookhavenAcademy’s Hunter McCullough, Most Valuable Defensive Player.

The All-County pitching staff includes McCullough, Michael Martinof Bogue Chitto, Cory Funk of Loyd Star and J.D. Britt ofBrookhaven. The catchers are Travis Keene of Loyd Star, Hunter Ginnof Bogue Chitto and Jeremy Laird of West Lincoln.

Infielders are Wilson, Tyler Case and Allen of Loyd Star, and DrewJones of Brookhaven. Outfielders are Bubba Keene of BrookhavenAcademy, Marquis Hayes of Loyd Star, and Joel Patrick ofBrookhaven.

Designated hitters are Hunter Franklin of Brookhaven Academy andPeavey.

Utility players are Austin Travis and Gage Posey of BrookhavenAcademy, Logan Smith of Loyd Star and J.B. Perkins ofBrookhaven.

The Dream Team was selected by the DL’s sports staff, with inputprovided by area high school and college coaches.

Peavey (6-1, 190), will celebrate his 19th birthday Dec. 18. He hassigned a scholarship with Northwest Florida Community College. Thisseason Peavey batted .554. He drove in 42 runs and hit six homers,despite a nagging back injury that kept him off the pitching moundmost of the year.

At the plate, Peavey uses an Easton SV12 bat. It weighs 30 ouncesand measures 33 inches in length. He and his teammates were plaguedby a rash of injuries to key starters.

“It was a good season but injuries kept us from executing to thebest of our ability,” said Peavey. “Ain’t no doubt we could havewon a ring if we could have avoided injuries.”

Peavey said his favorite college team is Alabama. In Major LeagueBaseball, he likes the New York Yankees and Alex Rodriguez.

“Scottie is a hard worker and he has a cannon for an arm,” answeredWilson, when asked about his teammate. “He has a quick bat and hewill give you everything he has when he’s on the field.”

Coach Randy Spring’s Panthers averaged 10.5 runs per game andboasted a .384 team batting average. They were runners-up to WestJones in the Region 5-5A race and lost to Vancleave in the openinground of the state playoffs.

Wilson (5-10, 180) sustained an upper leg injury late in theregular season but managed to keep competing. He batted .475 on theseason and went 7-for-8 in two state playoff games. He hit sixhomers and collected 30 RBIs as the Panthers finished 15-13 overalland 8-2 in the region.

He uses an Easton SV 12 bat with the same specs at Peavey’s. Ashortstop and pitcher, he used a Wilson A2000 glove.

Wilson has signed a scholarship with Meridian Community College andplans to enter the coaching field when he graduates from college.His favorite team is Alabama. He likes the New York Yankees andDerek Jeter.

“If we hadn’t been bunged up, we would have done better in theplayoffs,” said Wilson. He was one of five senior starters on theBHS squad.

“Gabe has quick, good hands and good eyes,” said Peavey. “He cancome in and back you up, guard your back. If he gets on base hewill score a run.”

Korey Allen (6-0, 160) has signed a scholarship with Copiah-LincolnCommunity College. He anchored Coach Jonathan Breakfield’s LoydStar team on the mound and in the field.

As a pitcher, Allen compiled a 9-1 record and a 1.84 ERA. At theplate, he batted .366, driving in 43 runs and hitting four homers.He hit two grand slam homers against Union in the Class 2A stateplayoffs. He threw 91 mph at the MAC All-Star Game lastweekend.

“Korey hits to all the fields but his strength is going to theopposite field,” said Breakfield. “He really stepped up and carriedthis team on his back when Tyler Case went down. He had a greatyear on the mound and at the plate.”

Allen’s expertise on the mound this year featured 72 strikeouts and19 walks in 62 innings. He led the Hornets to a 27-6 record and theSouth 2A semifinals.

He uses a 32-inch Easton bat that weighs 29 ounces. He said hispitching knowledge helps him as a hitter.

“The main thing I do is watch the ball as it comes out of thepitcher’s hand, all the way to the bat,” said Allen. “I think likea pitcher when I’m batting.”

Allen wears jersey No. 12. He likes the Yankees and DerekJeter.

Hunter McCullough (6-2, 240) transferred from McComb two years agoand helped the BA Cougars to the Class AA state championship in2010. They reached the South State finals this season.

A pitcher and third baseman, McCullough said he likes pitchingbest. He plans to play for Southwest Mississippi Community College.He threw a perfect game against Bowling Green in 2010 and tossed a1-hitter against Hillcrest in the state championship series. A2-seam fastball is his favorite pitch and his fastball tops out at91-mph.

McCullough compiled a 5-3 record and a 3.81 ERA this season. Hestruck out 82 batters and walked 20 in 51 innings for Coach CaseyEdwards and the 15-8 Cougars who won their district.

At he plate, McCullough batted .420. He hit five homers and had 20RBIs. He said his favorite MLB team is the Atlanta Braves. Hisfavorite player is Chipper Jones.

Michael Martin compiled an 8-3 record for the Bogue Chitto Bobcatsas they made their best-ever showing in the Class 1A stateplayoffs, reaching the South state finals. He also batted .551 anddrove in 33 runs, hitting four homers.

Cory Funk posted a 7-1 record for the Loyd Star Hornets.

J.D. Britt has signed with Co-Lin. He posted a 4-2 record on themound.

Travis Keene batted .419 for Loyd Star. He hit six homers and drovein 37 runs.

Hunter Ginn batted .494 for the Bobcats.

Jeremy Laird batted .352 for the West Lincoln Bears. He hit fivehomers and drove in 20 runs.

Tyler Case batted .402 for Loyd Star and worked mainly at secondbase after an arm injury kept him off the mound most of theseason.

Drew Jones batted .442 for the Panthers and collected 37 RBIs as ajunior.

Bubba Keene batted .461 for the Cougars. He had 26 RBIs and hit 3homers as a junior.

Marquis Hayes batted .443 and accounted for 34 RBIs. He hit fourhomers and used his speed to steal 41 bases in 43 attempts.

Cody White batted .479 for the Enterprise Yellow Jackets.

Joel Patrick batted .353 for the Panthers.

Hunter Franklin batted .383 for the Cougars and collected 45RBIs.

J.B. Perkins batted .423 for the Panthers..

Gage Posey batted .413 for the Cougars as a sophomore.

Logan Smith batted .400 for Loyd Star and collected 34 RBIs plusfive homers.

Austin Travis batted .328 for the Cougars and compiled a 6-1pitching record, with a 2.35 ERA.