For most programs, replacing a longtime head coach can bring uncertainty. For Hobbton High School’s baseball team, it became the foundation for one of the program’s most memorable seasons in recent years.
In his first year at the helm, Jackson McLamb guided the Wildcats to an 18-5 overall record, a 10-2 mark in Carolina 1A Conference play, a regular-season conference championship and a conference tournament title. Hobbton’s season ultimately came to an end in the state playoffs with a loss at Rosewood, but the accomplishments of the 2025-26 campaign left a lasting impression on the program.
Looking back, McLamb said the success was rooted in the makeup of the team itself.
“It’s just been a blessing this year for me and the program,” McLamb reflected. “Being with the group of guys that we had this year, the seniors and also the younger guys, it was just a great group that mixed very well together from a personality standpoint.”
From the outset, McLamb knew he had inherited a talented roster, but talent alone would not be enough to navigate the challenges of a long season.
“At the very beginning of the year, we talked about accepting the challenges that were going to be ahead of us,” McLamb explained. “I knew we had a talented group. The biggest thing we preached was not letting outside noise affect how we came to work every day. Whether it was practice or a game, we wanted to focus on that day and stack competitive days on top of each other.”
As the season progressed, McLamb saw that mindset begin to take hold.
“When we committed to that about a third of the way through the season, you could really tell a big change in the guys,” he noted. “They started adapting that approach of taking it day by day, working hard and stacking those days together. When they did that, the results became really good for us.”
Those results included capturing both conference championships and earning a postseason berth, accomplishments that highlighted the leadership of a senior class that helped establish the standard for the season.
Throughout the year, Hobbton found success through a balanced combination of pitching, defense and timely hitting. The Wildcats consistently answered challenges and positioned themselves among the top Class 1A programs in eastern North Carolina.
While the playoff loss left a bitter taste, it did little to diminish what the team accomplished.
“It’s always tough when you lose that last game and don’t make it as far as you want to,” McLamb said. “But when they look back on their high school careers and see what they did their senior year, it’s something (of which) they can always be proud.”
A senior class
that set the tone
One of the biggest storylines entering the season was the veteran leadership Hobbton possessed. Those seniors played a critical role in helping McLamb navigate his first season as head coach while establishing a culture centered on accountability and effort.
At the team’s postseason gathering, McLamb reminded the seniors of the legacy they leave behind.
“Everything that we accomplished this year is something they can hold on to forever,” he said. “It’s something they can tell their kids one day. They were the leaders of that run and the leaders of that team.”
The veteran group helped guide younger players through the ups and downs of the season and demonstrated the work ethic necessary to compete for championships.
“I’ve told them I love them and I’m super proud of everything they’ve done this year,” McLamb added. “They’re just a great group of guys who are going to be very successful in life and whatever they choose to do.”
Building for
the future
Although replacing six seniors will be a challenge, McLamb believes the future remains bright for the Wildcats.
The foundation begins with junior pitcher Caden Martin, who emerged as the staff ace and will return next season.
“Having Caden back is huge for us,” McLamb said. “He’s our ace on the mound. He’s our go-to guy, so having him return to lead that pitching staff is going to be big.”
Hobbton will also bring back two key pieces at the top of the batting order in Braxton McLamb and Aiden Lawson.
Braxton developed into the Wildcats’ starting catcher late in the season and served as the team’s leadoff hitter, while Lawson occupied the second spot and led the team in batting average.
“Getting those two guys back at the top of the lineup again next year is going to be huge,” McLamb said.
Another player expected to take a significant step forward is outfielder Thomas Tart, who showed flashes of his potential throughout the season.
“When he was confident, he was a really big bat for us,” McLamb remarked. “He hit a home run for us and did a lot of good things. He’s got a great frame, and as he continues to grow and gain confidence, he’s going to be a big-time player for us.”
McLamb also praised freshman Javier Escalera, who emerged as an important contributor down the stretch.
“He really turned it on at the end of the year,” McLamb said. “Every time his number got called, he went out there and performed. He’s going to be a really good player for us next year.”
The coach was equally encouraged by the growth of the entire freshman class.
“They all took major steps from the beginning to the end of the season,” McLamb said. “You could see their transformation as players. They came to work every day, and that was big for us.”
Adding to the optimism is a promising group of rising freshmen expected to join the program next season.
“We’ve got a good eighth-grade class coming up that’s about five or six players deep,” McLamb noted. “Obviously, we’ve got to replace the production of the seniors, but I’m excited about the group we have.”
A season worth
remembering
The final score of Hobbton’s season-ending playoff loss does not define the Wildcats’ 2025-26 campaign.
Instead, the season will be remembered for championships, growth and the successful transition into a new era under McLamb’s leadership.
The Wildcats finished atop the Carolina 2A Conference standings, captured regular-season and tournament hardware and established a culture that McLamb believes will continue to pay dividends moving forward.
“We’re going to have some younger guys stepping into bigger roles,” McLamb said. “There will be some growing pains, but the biggest thing is they’ll be ready to compete. That’s what we want. Once we get on the field, we’ll be ready to go.”
For a program that entered the year facing questions about change, Hobbton answered them with trophies, victories and a season that will stand among the most successful in recent memory. The Wildcats may have fallen short of their ultimate goal, but they leave 2025-26 with plenty to celebrate and even more reason to believe the future remains bright in Newton Grove.