Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Cherryville, NC (WNN)— Perhaps once in a generation, a team comes along that can truly be called special. The 2025 Cherryville Post 100 Junior team, coached by Stan Haynes and staff, have the potential to be remembered as one of those teams.
The American Legion originally added junior teams, consisting of players 17 and under, as more of a developmental league. The idea was to implement a system like varsity and junior varsity teams. Younger players would have the opportunity to mature and develop while being eligible to be promoted to the senior team, 19 and under, in case of an open roster spot due to injury or other circumstances.
There was a positive, unexpected development: the junior team league quickly evolved into a very competitive league. These younger players demonstrated they are just as skilled and competitive as their older counterparts. A good example is the rising Lincolnton High School sophomore, 15-year-old Tyler Gates. He began the season on the junior team but was quickly promoted to the senior team and is currently holding his own among a great group of pitchers.
Lincolnton High School Sophomore Tyler Gates
July 12th, 2025. Photo from: Cherryville Post 100 Facebook page
Junior teams are often overlooked when it comes to game coverage and have less fan support. This team makes a strong case for why they cannot be ignored. Bessemer City High School and American Legion alumni coach Stan Haynes and his staff have built a powerhouse. Coach Haynes played for former BCHS and Post 100 coach Mike Mahaffey.
Coach Stan Haynes, after meeting with his players.
July 12th, 2025. Photo from: Cherryville Post 100 Facebook page
Coach Mahaffey is a member of the Bessemer City Sports Hall of Fame. During his 29 seasons, he won nine league titles and coached 18 playoff teams, producing two professional players, Kevin Millwood and Chris Mason. Coach Haynes obviously learned a few things from his mentor.
The 2025 junior team rolled through the regular season, combining lockdown pitching with blazing bats as they outscored their opponents 170 to 28. That breaks down to just slightly over six times as many runs scored than given up. This dominant performance led to a regular season finish of 17-1, the only loss was to Burns in 11 innings by a score of 5-4.
Playoff time saw closer games as the competition grew stronger with the season on the line. Area IV quarter finals began on July 5, 2025, and Cherryville won that best-of-three series in two straight games over Newton. Next up was R-S Central, and once again, Post 100 Jrs. Swept their opponent in two games to win the semifinal round and head to a one-game winner-takes-all championship game against South Caldwell on July 12, 2025.
Second-year player, Coleman Schafer, class of 2027 at Highland Tech, started on the mound. He would pitch a complete game, allowing only one run, on seven hits, striking out 9, and issuing just one base on balls. Fourth-year player, rising Cherryville senior, Bryson Withers would provide the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fourth inning on a double. The resulting RBI would prove to be the winning run. Cherryville won the game 2-1, earning them the 2025 Area IV Champions title.
Pitcher Coleman Schafer
July 12th, 2025. Photo from: Cherryville Post 100 Facebook page
The victory improved their overall record to 22-1 and will be the number one seed heading into the state playoffs. The NC American Legion State Tournament begins on Saturday, July 19, 2025, with all games being played at John L. “Buck” Fraley Field at Memorial Stadium in Cherryville, NC. No matter how they finish in the tournament, this is a team that will be mentioned during the top teams debates for years to come.
Their history-making season has already seen them pass the 2021 State Champion team for best record. These young men have been playing their gloves off, and if you want to see some great baseball, head out to Fraley Field beginning this weekend. The bracket has not yet been finalized, so check the Cherryville Post 100 Facebook page for updates to game times as the tournament draws closer. Both Post 100 teams are doing so well; it would be interesting if Coach Reynolds and Coach Haynes would consider the possibility of scheduling a game against each other next season—just a thought.
