Schley County Head Coach Chuck Cheek named Americus Times-Recorder Baseball Coach of the Year
Published 1:59 pm Wednesday, May 23, 2018
- Schley County Head Coach Chuck Cheek has been named Americus Times-Recorder Coach of the Year. Cheek (left) is standing with University of Georgia Baseball Coach Scott Stricklin (middle) and Schley County Assistant Coach William Rooks (right) after their 2018 inaugural First Pitch Banquet on Monday, January 22. Photo by Ken Gustafson ATR Archive
ELLAVILLE – Schley County head baseball coach Chuck Cheek has been named the Americus Times-Recorder Coach of the Year. Though the Wildcats weren’t able to defend their GHSA Class A Public state championship this year, they came close to it, reaching the state quarterfinals before getting swept by Bowdon 6-5 and 5-3 on Friday, May 11.
They finished the season at 24-4.
Cheek simply said that he is honored and humbled to receive this award. Under his leadership, the Wildcats have won two of the last three GHSA Class A Public state championships. With that success, the bar has been raised at Schley County. “Even a good season doesn’t seem good enough, at least not to the coaches and players at Schley County,” Cheek said.
Cheek has had several players come through his program that have gone on to play college ball. Blake Howell, a pitcher, is in his sophomore season at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC). So far, Howell has appeared in 17 games and has a 5-4 record with 54 strikeouts.
Will Barry is a freshman outfielder at Andrew College in Cuthbert, GA. Barry batted .327 with 43 hits, 11 of them doubles. Barry has driven in 23 RBIs, walked 22 times and has three stolen bases for the Tigers. Former Schley County standout Reid Ragsdale is playing on the Junior Varsity for Faulkner University.
Georgia Southwestern State University starting pitcher Mitch Holloway finished up his career with the Hurricanes this Spring. This former Schley County Wildcat finished his GSW career with 145 strikeouts and only 71 walks.
Schley County baseball team sitting on the center field fence after beating Brookstone to win the 2018 Region 4-1A Championship.
Photo by Kricket Barineau ATR Archive
Cheek has posted a career record of 372-120, and a record of 356-96 at Schley County. He led the Wildcats to state championships in 2015 and 2017 and was twice named the Georgia Dugout Club State Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2017. Coach Cheek has been named Region 4A Coach of the Year seven times (2005, 2007, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017).
