Gabbert to lead Chargers
Southaven grad returns
The boy, who as a freshman, that slid home with the winning run to help the Southaven baseball team capture the 1999 Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A state championship is now a man coaching at his alma mater.
Gary- Scott Gabbert has been named the head coach of the recently crowned Class 6A state champs and is hopeful for a repeat.
“It’s one dream I’ve always had ever since I left high school here,” said Gabbert, who graduated in 2002. “I’m just excited for the opportunity — because of what this school is and what this baseball program is. I look forward to just keeping that standard where it’s at.”
The 29-year- old Gabbert steps into a role previously held this past spring by his prep coach — Ed Rich, who can now focus squarely on football.
“It was a one-year deal,” said Rich, who guided the Chargers to a sweep of Harrison Central at Pearl’s Trustmark Park. “It was just one year that turned out pretty decent.”
Among the talent that Gabbert inherits is Nick Short, Kyle Connelly and Colbe White.
“I was going to give them a couple of weeks off,” said Gabbert, “and everyone of them that are coming back said, ‘No coach, let’s get right back into it.’ The type of kids that come through this program are still the same. They like to work hard, they like to get after it, they like to grind, they like to do the little things — it’s just something that this program breeds year after year.
“It’s going to be fun working with kids like that who want to just get after it and love the game of baseball.”
Gabbert, who also won a MHSAA state title as a sophomore, played at Northwest Mississippi Community before making his way to Delta State. In 2005, Gabbert’s junior season, the Statesmen advanced to the Div. 2 College World Series.
“I know what it takes to win as a player,” said Gabbert, “and now ... it’s going to be a learning process as a head coach, but it’s going to be a fun process. The journey from where I’ve been as a person to this point has just been unbelievable.”
Gabbert will also be around a set of assistant coaches who were front and center for this spring’s championship — Kelly Quinn, Brandon Jordan, Joel Rich and Channing Gonzalez. The latter three are Southaven graduates.
Said Rich: “He’s got a good group coming back. He just needs a little bit of time to implement his ways, but I think he’ll do a great job.”