Young Bears plan to use speed to their advantage

Coach Andre Carr has pitching issues to sort out after losing top hurler Jeffery Thompson due to arm fatigue.

The Clairton baseball team enters the 2025 season with a unique challenge — youth.

Last year, the Bears finished 4-8 in section play, enduring a rough start by losing five of their first six games before eventually finding their rhythm.

With a roster that featured eight freshmen getting significant playing time, Clairton’s growing pains were evident. This season, head coach Andre Carr is embracing the opportunity to develop his young team, which doesn’t feature a single senior.

“The team is still getting younger,” Carr said. “I have a lot of upand-coming freshmen that I expect to come in and contribute right away. We don’t even have any seniors on the team this year, so we’re definitely going to be looking to the younger guys to step up.”

The lack of senior leadership is an unusual challenge, but Clairton has a solid foundation to build upon.

Sophomore Adonte Wiggins, who led the team with a .280 batting average as a freshman, is expected to play a key role. His work ethic and approach at the plate have already made an impression on his coach.

“Adonte is a hard worker who keeps his head down and leads by example,” Carr said. “I expect him to be at the top of the lineup this year. He puts in the work to get better, and it kind of rubs off on his teammates.”

Another important returner is junior Tahvez Armstrong. Clairton’s catcher and a dynamic playmaker on the basepaths, Armstrong was among the best in the WPIAL in stolen bases last season, swiping 26 bags. His ability to get on base and create havoc will be a major part of Clairton’s game plan.

“I have high expectations for Tahvez as well,” Carr said. “That’s my catcher, and he’s going into this season with a chip on his shoulder. He’s a game changer both behind the plate and on the bases, and he’s consistent. He has two younger brothers joining the team as well, Tyrell and Tyron, who have been playing baseball their whole lives, so that’s exciting.”

While Clairton’s speed will be an asset, the team will need to adjust on the mound after losing a strong contributor.

Junior Jeffery Thompson, who led the team in hits last year, also served as one of the primary pitchers. However, due to concerns about arm fatigue as he prepares for his senior season as the football team’s starting quarterback, Thompson won’t be pitching this year, but will still contribute offensively and at first base.

“Jeffery is one of our key contributors, but he’s also the football team’s quarterback, so he’s preparing for his senior season,” Carr explained. “His arm got fatigued last season, so we’re not going to risk having him pitch this year.”

With Thompson no longer pitching, sophomore Jontere Sanders is set to take over as the team’s ace. Sanders logged crucial innings last season as a freshman and will be called upon to take on a much larger role this year.

“Jontere is coming into his sophomore year, and he’ll pretty much play all around the infield, but he’ll have to step up as a pitcher too,” Carr said. “He’s going to have to step into the ace role, with Thompson taking a step back. Having to rely on a sophomore is a lot, but I think he can handle it.”

The team was also dealt another blow with the transfer of standout player Daevon Gaynor to Steel Valley. Gaynor was one of the team’s best all-around contributors, leading the pitching staff with 28 strikeouts while also stealing 16 bases.

“Losing Daevon to Steel Valley is tough,” Carr admitted. “He was a big part of what we did last season, but it gives other guys a chance to step up and make a difference.”

Despite these changes, Carr remains optimistic about the team’s potential. Known for their athleticism, the Bears plan to use their speed as a weapon against section opponents.

Armstrong’s ability to steal bases, along with Thompson’s 20 stolen bases and Sanders’ 13 from last season, highlight the team’s aggressive approach on the basepaths.

“I expect us to compete,” Carr said. “We’re going to have to use our athleticism to try and outmatch these teams. When we’re able to get on base, we can be dangerous. Two pitches, and my guys are on third base. Tahvez was among the best in the WPIAL in terms of steals last year. If we can find the consistency with getting on base, the sky’s the limit.”

The road ahead won’t be easy. Clairton remains in WPIAL Class 1A Section 3, where powerhouse programs like Eden Christian and Bishop Canevin dominated last season. Adding to the challenge, Serra Catholic — fresh off a dominant 12-0 run in WPIAL 2A Section 3 — is moving down to 1A, immediately becoming one of the toughest teams in the section.

However, Carr is confident in his players’ ability to rise to the challenge, especially with a core group that is eager to prove itself.

“It’s going to be a challenge, for sure,” said Carr about the addition of Serra Catholic to the section. “It’s tough to match up against them because they’re able to recruit guys, and a lot of their players are strictly baseball players who work all-year round, but we’ll prepare for them just like any other game.”

With a young core and plenty of potential, Clairton baseball is looking to take the next step. The Bears may not have the same experience as some of their competition, but their speed, work ethic, and hunger to improve make them a team to watch this season.