Hicks Back in Town, Bad News for 21-3A

[Bobcatfan4life]

Hicks back in town - bad news for 21-3A

Gabriel Pruett

The Orange Leader

BRIDGE CITY — Matt Hicks’ life has been crazy ever since the Bridge City Cardinals last stepped on the diamond as a team.

There was Hurricane Ike, two moves and a lot of baseball practice in between.

Since this is Hicks, the hurricanes and moving probably came between all the practicing in the now junior does.

“I couldn’t wait to start doing something else,†Hicks said. “All I have done is practice, then drive to another practice and go home. That is my schedule. I put more hours of practice in this year than ever before. I stay here until dark and sometimes I don’t get home until 10 p.m. I don’t like to do anything else. I would just be at home watching TV so I would rather be here and getting something out of it.â€

Hicks’ first struggle came when Hurricane Ike struck Southeast Texas in mid-September.

Just like many of his fellow teammates, Hicks’ family lost several homes.

Hicks then moved to Louisiana and was all set to play for Barbe High School.

Then came the announcement Hicks would be returning to Bridge City and would remain a Cardinal.

“There was a lot of stress over there,†Hicks said. “It cost too much and moving back to Bridge City took a lot of that stress off of me. Now it is time for baseball and I don’t have to worry about both places.â€

As a team the Cardinals are shaping up to once again be the dominant figure in District 21-3A as the Jasper Bulldogs were moved out of the district during the last realignment.

“We lost two great pitchers from last year in Jaden (Dillon) and Jason (Clark),†HIcks said. “I think Blake Snyder and (Anthony) Cessac will do a great job filling in those spots. Hitting I think we will be just as good as we have been in the past with guys like Blake Hubbard and Joe (Robertson). Those two guys are incredible along with Dustin Breaux.

“We are going to go at it one game at a time. We at first have to prove we can even play and that is in the few scrimmages and we want to win a couple tournaments. Then we will start district and take it pitch by pitch and inning by inning.â€

Hicks knows 21-3A will not be a walk in the park.

“I really think Hamshire-Fannett and Orangefield will both do well,†Hicks said. “The Longhorns are loaded this year and Jace (Statum) and Jacob (Felts) can make the Bobcats unstoppable. West Orange is going to also step up this year and Silsbee and Hardin-Jefferson are also out there.â€

The problem for all those teams is Hicks is also still a Cardinal.

[Hupernikomen]

nice article.

[Guest HJbaseball09]

I really don't think that it is a really big deal. HJ shut hicks down last year when we played them on the there home field.

[Tallboi]

I really don't think that it is a really big deal. HJ shut hicks down last year when we played them on the there home field.

Don't start talking your jazz. Just let the games decided whos better.

[cardinals4life]

he was a sophomore people talk about him every year like he's a senior this year he's a junior just thought id let yall know

[SportsTeam1]

Hicks can play.end of story!

[Guest Orangeboy]

I really don't think that it is a really big deal. HJ shut hicks down last year when we played them on the there home field.

If I remember right, the kid pitched well enough to win, but BC couldn't get the bats going.

[jmspears3]

That is good news.

I am glad it has worked out for him and his family.