"As a coaching staff, we don't vote on our own kids," Woodlands Coach Ron Eastman said. "It was hard for us to pick an MVP candidate. We felt that every senior who started for us played a huge role in the team's success. We really didn't have a superstar.
"Tim got off to a great start and was one of the leading hitters in the city. He certainly deserved to be the MVP."
David Alleman, who came back from knee surgery to be a regular at designated hitter, earned the Heart Award.
Jerad Stevens was a first team pitcher along with battery mate Mickey Armstrong.
Sophomore second baseman Ryan Eastman was a unanimous choice at second base, as were Taylor Grote and Brett Eibner in the outfield.
Marco Pena was a second team pitcher. First baseman Brett Parsons and shortstop Ryan Mooney were second team infielders. Colby Dodson was a second team outfielder. Taylor Parr was honorable mention.
"This is the core of a group that went 31-0 in district over the last two years, so the number doesn't really surprise me," Eastman said. "Two undefeated seasons kind of speak for themselves as to the kind of talent we have.
"On any team, you have some disappointments. I thought Ryan Mooney played defense as good as anybody in the state this year. Ryan solidified our defense. When we moved him to shortstop and Tim to third base, we just took off defensively. Sometimes, I think too much emphasis is put on batting averages. But, that's just my opinion."
One inning in the Georgetown playoff series demonstrates the kind of defense Mooney gave the Highlanders.
With The Woodlands nursing a one-run lead in the fourth inning of the third Georgetown game, Mooney showcased his defensive skills. To get the first out, he ran back and to his right making a diving backhand catch on a sinking liner to take away a lead off single. Mooney ended the inning by ranging to his left, diving for a potential single up the middle and throwing the runner out from behind second base on his knees. Not bad for a second team shortstop.
College Park placed juniors Austin Pruitt at pitcher and Ryan Byrne in the outfield on the first team. Mike Dimitroff and Spenser Parish were second team pitchers. Viron Hackney made the second team as designated hitter.
"Austin was our go-to guy on the mound," College Park Coach Jason Washburn said. "He pitched a lot of big games for us. He also played a good shortstop when he wasn't pitching. He hit .500 in district to lead the district in hitting. Ryan Byrne was patient this year. Early on, he wasn't playing a whole lot. When he got his opportunity, he won the job and never looked back.
"Spenser and Mike did a great job for us. They were a real good tandem punch. They're both outstanding pitchers. Viron has a lot of power. It's tough to DH because you're not in the game mentally all the time. You don't stay in the flow of the game defensively. It takes a special breed to be successful there."
Oak Ridge placed seven players on the first and second team. "I'm excited that the other coaches in the district thought that highly of them," Oak Ridge Coach Stacy Scheiner said. "All the kids that were honored were well deserving of that accomplishment."
After missing the entire 2006 season, Shaun Finley received the Heart Award. Second baseman Robert Bellish earned the Gold Glove award. Frankie Miranda was a first team pitcher. Thomas Rooke was first team at first base. Garet Norton at Utility and outfielder Chase Daniel rounded out the War Eagle first teamers. Outfielder Andrew Teague was the lone War Eagle on the second team.
"(Bellish) was the best defensive player we had," Scheiner said. "He's a junior, but we're losing him anyway. His dad got a promotion and they're moving to the Chicago area. Some coach is going to be very pleasantly surprised. Frankie asked me to move him behind the plate when he wasn't pitching because a sophomore had more range at third and he thought that would help the team more. You love to coach kids like that. There were a lot of good shortstops in our district. When I put Garet up for Utility, they voted him in.
"Thomas was a hard luck pitcher this year. I wish we could have given him some more run support, but I thought he was by far the best first baseman in the district. I hope he gets to play some first at K-State. Chase played a great center field for us this year. He'll see a lot of time on the mound next year. Andrew Teague was just real solid the whole season. He'll be back next year and even better."