CHARLESTON — 12 teams will be traveling to Charleston’s Appalachian Power Park on Friday in hopes of competition, sportsmanship, and above all glory. The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission’s 68th state baseball tournament will serve as the proving ground for the best squads in the Wild and Wonderful, among them the Black Knights of Point Pleasant.

As one of four teams making up the Class AA semi-final bracket, the Big Blacks find themselves in a pool of talented squads, three of whom are past champions, and most-likely the toughest competition Point Pleasant has faced all season.

The Black Knights’ first hurdle in their race to the state final is their Friday morning matchup against the Sissonville Indians who enter into the tournament with a 21-15 record. Under the leadership of first-year coach John Brown, the Indians have had their sights set on Power Park from the beginning of the season and are likely to put up a fight when they go against the Black Knights.

But the Point Pleasant boys too have had their sights on state. With this trip to Charleston being their third consecutive tournament appearance in the past three seasons, the Black Knights know how to play at the state level and know exactly what it is they are working for. Point senior Philip Allen, a four-year letter winner for the squad, has made the trip to Charleston for three years now, this year’s tournament marking his fourth and final trip to state finals. Three-year letter winners— seniors B.J. Lloyd, Tyson Jones, and Eric Veith; and juniors D.W. Herdman and Clay Krebs, have also gone to state with the Red and Black squad.

Lloyd received honors for the All-State tournament last season along with teammate Herdman who made the All-Tournament team.

Two-year letter winner Brock McClung was noted at the beginning of Point’s season as the top returning pitcher and pitched for the Black Knights in the 2008 championship game.

The four other Knights that will be making their second return to state are Michael Burris, Justin Weaver, Justin Cavender, and Titus Russell.

In terms of state-play experience, the Black Knights have the edge.

Coach James Higginbotham commented on last year’s squad “exceeding expectations” and hopes that this year’s group holds the talent and the drive to take the title of champions.

When asked about the Red and Black’s upcoming trip to Power Park, Higginbotham explained, “Of course you always hope you win the championship. With a record of 19-10 you know you’re playing pretty good ball, hopefully the kids will be ready for the challenge.” On the topic of their first game against the 21-15 Indians Higginbotham commented, “Sissonville is good. They play tough teams in the preseason and have a turf field so they are able to play more games. Of course the more games you play the better you are, and their new coach has them playing with confidence, making them a tough one to beat.

“But the boys are excited. For many of them this will be their third trip to the state tournament and they are looking forward to the trip. They’re hopeful and have been focused on winning this weekend for a while now.”

Point Pleasant was runner up in 2008, falling to Logan High School in the state final. In tournament history there have been six squads to come back from the runner-up position to win the championship the next year. While it has only occurred three times in Class AA history (the last being Sissonville’s comeback in 1996), it has happened and is possible of happening again, this time with the Black Knights.

The 1996 comeback made by the Indians marks their last state championship title and last finals appearance. Needless to say, they have some record breaking of their own to do.

If the Black Knights make it to the final game on Saturday they will be facing the winner of the Lincoln-Independence semi-final game. Lincoln who is entering the tournament with a 15-11 record, was the 2003 state champ for Class AA. Their 7-5 victory over Magnolia clinched the title for the Cougars that year— they have yet to return to the final game since. Indpendence’ last tournament championship occurred in 1990 after they were runners-up to Magnolia in 1989. Independence is entering this year’s tournament with a 21-3 record.

While the Class AA pool will be a competitive one, the Black Knights have a record that can hold its own against their fellow teams. The squad has experienced players who have made the trip to Charleston for three years now and knows the state tournament routine. The boys are focused, the talent is there, they have the drive, now it’s time to play.