This was a band of young men that many overlooked.

Yet, here they are just a few months later – Northeastern Coastal Conference tri-champions.

Hertford County High School’s baseball team defied all the odds this year, rallying from an 0-12 season just one year ago to claim a share of the league title. The win is remarkable for many reasons, not the least of which is the worst to first scenario.

It is also stellar because this team had several opportunities to throw in the towel (no pun intended) when they were sitting below .500 in the league or when they got down 7-0 to Currituck during the final week of the season.

This team didn’t quit, however, and never showed any sign they were ready to surrender a season when they believed they could win the league.

Brandon Warren has been nothing short of excellent on the mound for the Bears and when he is pitching, his team is better for it. The defense seems to play better, the offense scores more runs and Warren keeps the other team off the base paths.

The young men who make up the HCHS roster deserve a lot of credit for the hard work and dedication they’ve given to Bear baseball. After an 0-12 league campaign in 2008, they could have just assumed the worst. They didn’t. They played hard, gave it their all and got the reward they deserve for that effort.

HCHS Head Coach Chris Towell has been a good leader and has given the Bears the leadership they had to have to succeed. He’s a quality coach and his hard work has paid off as well.

Congratulations Hertford County High School baseball Bears!

– The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald