The Nampa Christian Trojans – a very deserving 2015 2A State Baseball champion in a field of eight teams from around Idaho.  Local baseball historians have to look all the way back to 2002 to find the last time the Trojans finished outside the top four at the state tournament at the 2A level. Impressive, to say the least.

“Impressive” also fits the tournament as a whole.  Marc Harris, his staff and players did a tremendous job keeping the field playable amidst constant concerns about the weather.  The volunteers did a tremendous job with concessions, merchandise, tickets. The tournament was well-attended, the umpires kept the focus on the players all weekend and – yeah, I’m writing for IdahoSports.com, who streamed all the games live – it was great to see three teams (St. Maries, Orofino and Bear Lake) have the games broadcast back home not only via IdahoSports.com, but also local radio stations.

When IdahoSports.com patriarch Paul Kingsbury asked me to put together my own “All-Tournament Team,” I decided to put it together in this way: give me these 14 baseball players and I’ll win you a lot of baseball games against any level of competition in the state of Idaho.

Pitchers: TylerPowell (Sr, New Plymouth), Kyler Harris (Sr. New Plymouth), Bryce John (Jr, Wendell).  Powell struck out 24 batters in 14 innings over two starts in helping the Pilgrims take home the third-place trophy and he did it by getting ahead, throwing his breaking ball for strikes and not wasting pitches.  Harris was simply dominant for five innings against Orofino in the semifinal after adominant season and John’s efforts on the mound gave his team a chance to take home a trophy despite a difficult draw.

Catcher: IsaacWalters (Sr, St. Maries).  In a tournament of good defensive backstops, I loved the way Walters played behind the plate.  He was “quiet,” not a lot of wasted movement or energy.  Framed the ball well, blocked the ball well, threw the ball well.

Infielders:  Scott Rose (Sr, Nampa Christian), DrakeLounsbury (Jr, St. Maries), Hayden Wilson (Jr, Orofino), Nick Tuttle (Soph,Nampa Christian).  The overwhelming sentiment among these four, for me, was how well they played defense.  Rose had a number of Grade-A digs at firstbase, Lounsbury played some of the steadiest, most-fundamental second base I’ve seen in a long time, Tuttle covered a ton of real estate and Wilson’s ability to make a quick turn at second base made you forget that you were “only” watching 2A baseball.  The fact that all four contributed big-time with the bat as well … gravy.

Outfielders:  Lex King (Soph, Nampa Christian), IsaacTafoya (Sr, Bear Lake), Riley Harris (Soph, New Plymouth).  Okay, these three are mostly about the bat through all three were completely fine in the field.  King clobbered the ball all weekend, I liked Harris’s approach and Tafoya – maybe a surprise pick – showed me some of the best at bats in the entire tournament. Officially, in the books, he batted 1.000 in three games.  The only two times he was retired all weekend were on perfectly-executed sacrifice bunts. His ability to grind out at bats, fouling off tough pitches to work the count and reach base, and play good, fundamental baseball was very impressive.

Utility Players:Hayden Green (Jr, Malad), Steve Tiersma (Sr, Nampa Christian), Brevyn Keetch(Jr, Bear Lake).  Remember, I’m putting this team together with the idea of winning games.  Each of these players brings multiple things to the table in roster construction.  All three of these fellas are accomplished pitchers (Tiersma threw a complete-game, two-hit shutout in the state championship game) who can hit the ball and contribute in the field.  Green played asteady shortstop and barreled up several balls at the plate for Malad, Tiersma handled third base cleanly when not pitching and Keetch played a solid rightfield when not pitching for the Bears.

Wilson and Riley Harris can pitch.  Powell and Kyler Harris can catch.  There’s pop (Wilson, King, Harris and Powell) and speed (John, Lounsbury and Keetch). Lineup balance between right and left.

Was this an easy list to compile?  Yes and no. The quality of play at the tournament – I’ll be perfectly honest –exceeded my expectations.  All eight teams had players that made me say, “wow.” There wasn’t a single mercy-rule game, the overall defense was exceptional (especially behind the plate, where I thought the catchers did a terrific job all weekend) and there was some great, clutch hitting.  So, from that standpoint, it was easy.  I didn’t struggle in the least to come up with 14 players I’d happily take.

However, there are compelling arguments that can be made for several other players.  And you know what I’d say to a lot of the names you may raise in the comments section?  You’re right.  You’re absolutely right.  You could trade out Isaac Tafoya for Melba’s Devin Edmiston as an outfielder, both are good players.  Orofino’s Kolby Brink, St. Maries’ Matt Smith, Nampa Christian’s Jacob Grissom, Bear Lake’s Keeghan Arnell, Malad’sBraxton Clark … just a few of the players that could play for a lot of teams across Idaho.