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Whitaker (left) and Williams

Duo complete seasons at LBW

By Michael Butler

Reid Whitaker and Dee Williams have been playing baseball together since they could barely pick up a bat and glove. Now they are awaiting their next opportunity.

Whitaker and Williams just completed their second and final seasons at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Andalusia. The tandem graduated from Tallassee in 2017.

"It was a good experience," said Whitaker, who was LBW's starting catcher. "From a hitting standpoint, you could see 72 (miles per hour) one game and 95 the other."

Williams is a right-handed pitcher, a former all-state pick at THS.

"In high school, the first four or five can put the ball in play," Williams noted. "In college, they all can hit. You've got to throw strikes and stay in the zone. You can't miss your spots."

The THS Pipeline to LBW
(Front left to right): Williams, Whitaker and Burton

The pitcher/catcher combo talked about Tallassee's quarterfinal run their senior seasons.

"I think about it all the time," Whitaker said. "That was the state championship. It gives me a bad feeling."

UMS-Wright beat Tallassee in three games and went on to win the state championship. The series was reminiscent to what Whitaker and Williams went through just last week in falling in the title game of the Alabama Community College Conference Tournament.

"We basically lost the state championship this year the way we lost in high school," Williams added.

Tallassee has another player at LBW too. Jake Burton graduated a year later than Whitaker and Williams but joined them in Andalusia this past season. He has another year of eligibility at the junior college level.

For Whitaker and Williams, theire juco days are complete. So where might they end up next and will they be a package deal?

"Probably," Williams said.

Whitaker agreed. "That would be fine with me."

Williams with former teammate Will Peters, who now plays at Mississippi College in Clinton.

Williams is having hip surgery on June 3 but expects to be recovered in three months.

"I haven't been on any visits," he said. "They're waiting on me to have my surgery."

The duo are keeping their options open, but one school is on their radar with another Tallassee tie.

"I'm probably going to visit Albany State next week," said Williams.

Former Tallassee player Davis Knapp is an assistant coach at Albany State.

"I went on visits to Albany State and AUM," Whitaker added. "They both offered me, but I'm still looking."

One key for both athletes is the going to a school that can win.

"That's one of the main reasons I went to LBW," Whitaker said.

Tallassee coach Adam Clayton applauded the efforts of his two former players.

"I'm proud of the way these guys have represented our program at the next level and look forward to seeing their next step."