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The back-to-back reigning Class 2A State Champion Ariton Purple Cats are coming into 2025 with the chance to do something exceedingly rare, win a third-straight state crown. 

The 2024 Ariton Purple Cats won their second consecutive state championship last season but head coach Bob Pickett knows he has some serious talent to replace from that team.

“I’m pleased with where we’re at right now,” Pickett said. “Replacing a lot of guys is never easy but that’s how it is every year as far as putting the puzzle together. I’m really proud of this team’s effort in competing. We still have a long way to go but it’s still early.” 

Pickett said he knows there will be plenty of talk of a three-peat in the community, and in the media, and has tasked himself and his staff to keep his players grounded.

“I’ve been fortunate to be on that side of things in the past, being on a staff that won two in a row,” said Pickett. “That is a real thing as far as complacency goes. The good thing here is we have a lot of guys that have been there and got a ring, but they weren’t major role players at the same time. The hunger for them to not let it down and try to make their own chapter in the book is still there. 

“I see that hunger there. I’m on them every single day. I said it last year, and I told this to them yesterday, the wolf on the top of the mountain isn’t as hungry as the wolves climbing it. If we’re not hungry someone else will get you.”

Despite losing All-State caliber players from last year’s team, plenty of talent returns.

“We have Austin Evans, Easton Kilpatrick and Aven Cook back,” Pickett said. “Addison Senn came in last year and was big for us playing in the infield and batting for us. We’ll be leaning on those guys but there are a lot of new players that have to earn it and are working hard to do so and we hope some of those guys can step up this season.”

Evans was The All-Messenger Pitcher of the Year last season as Ariton’s ace, striking out 54 batters with an 8-0 record as a starter. He also held a 1.78 ERA with a 1.08 WHIP in 70 and 2/3 innings on the mound. 

While a state championship is always the goal for the Purple Cats, Pickett isn’t going to focus on that heading into the season.

“There are 64 teams that will tell you the goal is to win the state championship, and that’s one of ours, but it’s about playing to the standard and the brand of baseball that’s been built here,” Pickett emphasized. “The goal is to get better every day, that’s our main goal. We have to worry about us and if we take care of us, and leave the outside noise alone, everything else will take care of itself.”