Franklin County well-represented on 13 and Under NCS World Series Championship team

It was a busy summer for a group of youth baseball players from northwest Alabama and northeast Mississippi, culminating with a state championship and a top national finish in the National Championship Sports (NCS) Southeast Gulf Coast World Series, held June 19-22, 2025, in Daphne, Ala.

The 13 and Under Braves, comprised of players from Belgreen, Red Bay, Russellville, Shoals Christian, Colbert Heights, Waterloo and Belmont, Miss., Schools.

The team finished with an overall record of 42-17-1, and an in-class record of 39-11-1. Through calculation of points, the Braves finished the season Number One in Alabama and across the United States through all NCS teams in the same age division.

The Braves averaged 6.55 runs per game through their 60 games, while giving up an average of 4.27 runs per game. 

Team members included Luke Stacy, Braxton Holcomb, Zedaki Wilson, Tyne Scott, Hank Ray, Xander Mills, Logan Fralix, Conner Gardner, Mac Powell, Ryan Benson, Aaron Bryant, Kaden Norton and head coach Ricky Gardner and assistant coach Cody Scott.

The double elimination tournament saw the Braves go into bracket play resolved to win the title. After bracket wins over Sand Mountain and Burelsmith, Tex., the team advanced to the championship knowing if it lost, there would be a second game immediately following that loss. 

The championship game took about five hours to complete, thanks to lightning delays and other weather-related stoppages, but an exhausted Braves team earned a 7-6 win to secure the championship.

The mission of NCS is to provide competitive tournament opportunities for youth baseball teams, helping create a passion and respect for the game while developing fundamentals.

For more information on NCS, log onto www.playncs.com.