By Stephen Smoot
As the spring breezes of May fade into the heat of sunny summer days (in most years, anyway) West Virginia sees its best players participating in all-star games.
Josiah Kimble earned a spot in the North-South football squad, along with regional rival player Brody See from Moorefield.
Said Zac Smith, Wildcat head football coach, Kimble is a “great kid” who “really developed over his football career.” He added, “I was really pleased that he brought a lot of energy to practice.”
His 18 catches in his senior year earned him a spot as a wide receiver. His ability to extend plays and make big catches made him one of the most feared receivers in the region and a big part of Pendleton County’s playoff run.
Kimble played a lot of minutes for the North in the second half of the contest, but the South held on for a tight 29-22 victory.
James Vincell represented the Wildcats in the baseball version of the classic game. At one point, his season-ending injury had threatened to nix baseball for Vincell in 2025, but he returned to head coach Sam Yokum’s lineup by late April.
“He is showing more mobility with more confidence in his knee,” explained Yokum. Vincell committed to Concord University to play baseball and also works as a one-on-one coach teaching fundamental baseball skills.
The experienced catcher went three of four with two doubles in the two games to help keep the North close.
Vincell joined Caleb Armentrout Monday at the Coaches USA all-star game that brings together the best senior baseball players from in and around the Shenandoah Valley. Armentrout will play middle infield for the Valley squad, while Vincell will catch for the Mountain team.
Armentrout led the Wildcats in hitting with an average of .386 in the leadoff position. Vincell placed second in average at .367, but led the team in slugging percentage at .510.
The Coaches USA game took place on the campus of James Madison University.
Yokum praised the family friendly Coaches USA organization, describing how the “Christian-based organization” provides uniforms and T-shirts to the players and they “treat the parents to a meal.”
The only other West Virginia school that Coaches USA usually taps for players is East Hardy High School. Surprisingly, no Cougars from the state champion team will play this year. Two from their softball squad will, however.
Coaches USA pulls players from almost the entire Shenandoah Valley region for the annual contest and event in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
All Potomac Valley Conference baseball selections will likely come out this week.
