[02/15/02]With Randy Broome in charge, there will be plenty of changes at Warren Central this season.

Most are because of changes in personnel, not changes in philosophy. Still, the goal will be the same to win a state championship.

“We still preach the same aggressive hitting philosophy and work habits,” said Broome, who was promoted from assistant coach after Sam Temple left for Clinton. “Nothing has changed.”

Then again, why would he want to tinker with a system that led the Vikings to a Class 5A state championship, a 36-3 record and a No. 4 final ranking in USA Today?

The Vikings have traded a punchout pitcher and outspoken leadership for a slightly stronger offensive lineup, a deeper rotation and more laid-back leaders.

Ole Miss signee Brian Pettway and Meridian Community College signee Joey Lieberman will bring plenty of firepower to a lineup that’s “pretty potent, one through seven,” Broome said.

Last year, Pettway led the county in batting average (.483) and RBIs (47), and Lieberman was tops in home runs (9) while batting .344 with 15 doubles and 44 RBIs.

“We’re working every day to get ready and try to repeat,” said Pettway, who will likely play catcher as Tyler DeRossette recovers from shoulder surgery.

“We’ve got high hopes to do it again.”

And he expects the team to have a big bull’s-eye on its back.

“We’re looking for everyone to come at us,” Pettway said. “We’re ready for them, but we know it will be tough.”

Carl Upton and Pettway will be the top proven pitchers on a staff that is having to deal with the loss of state player of the year Taylor Tankersley, now a freshman at Alabama.

Plenty are short on experience but full of promise.

Andrew Simmons saw some time on the mound last year and performed well, and his breaker and slider have looked good, Broome said.

At 6-foot-6, Steven McDevitt will add another intimidating presence and a nifty breaking ball to the staff of tall pitchers.

John Morgan Mims (6-foot-2), a senior who has never seen significant time on the mound, has also earned a spot in the rotation or as a closer thanks to his devastating change-up and a fastball in the upper 80s. Broome is fired up about his potential. Sidearmers Daryl Harper (6-foot-4) and Mark Different bring good control to the mound, as does Jeremy Ferguson (6-foot-3).

Upton (6-foot-3) has the most experience and exceptional control. He was 12-0 with 70 strikeouts and only 10 walks in more than 75 innings last year. He closed out all four of WC’s postseason series. Pettway, who was unable to pitch near the end of the season because of an injury, is healthy, throwing in the upper 80s and adding a change-up to his repertoire, Broome said.

The thing all of the pitchers have in common, besides being right-handed, is their control. That’s all Broome asks of his pitchers throw strikes and put it in the hands of the defense.

“If we’ll throw strikes, we’ll be fine … we’ve got a chance,” he said. “We were fortunate to have an overpowering lefty (Tankersley) last year.

“This year, we are just looking to get outs. We tell everyone they should want the baseball hit to them … make the people notice you on defense.”

Lieberman, a sure-handed shortstop, and speedy centerfielder Chris Hite are among the best in the field, as is the strong-armed Mims in right.

Jeff Mitchell will start in left field. The infield will rotate, according to who’s pitching, with Pettway, Simmons and Ferguson at third, Simmons and Different at second and Upton, Ferguson and Harper at first. Neil Tillotson and John Rice Pettway could also see some time behind the plate and Tom Corbin and Greg Carroll will also be in the outfield some.

Another new face on the field will be assistant coach Jeff Wood.

Broome said the team might have to look to score more this year. That shouldn’t be a problem.

“Lieberman, Upton and Pettway in a row that’s pretty strong,” he said.

Broome, who coached from third base last year, said he will probably use his new sign system to call for more steals, hit-and-runs and bunts.

“We don’t want to take the bat out of a good hitter’s hands, but we’ve got to do some things to set the table for these guys,” he said.

Still, he has confidence in his defense and pitching staff.

“We may have more quality arms,” Broome said. With the Vikings’ schedule, “there better be,” he added.

WC plays some of the top teams in the state, including state runner-up Hattiesburg, Madison Central and Oak Grove, as well as out-of-state heavyweights Prattville, Ala., Bolton, Tenn., and Louisiana’s West Monroe and Evangel Christian.

“We’re always preparing for the postseason,” Broome said. “Every year, we’re out to win the district first.”

Finishing first or second to make the playoffs won’t be as easy as in years past in a beefed-up new division, which includes Vicksburg High, Clinton and Forest Hill.

The teams will play each other three times instead of two.

“That will make things interesting,” Broome said with a smile. He likes the tougher competition in meaningful games because “it helps the kids focus on every district game.”

They’ll need to, with a tough VHS squad, a much-improved Forest Hill and a Clinton team that will know all of the Vikings’ secrets.

WC fans are already focused on three dates in particular: March 19, April 2 and April 12. That’s when the Vikings face Temple.

“He’ll have them ready,” Pettway said, grinning. “We like the competition, though. It will be higher than last year.”

Broome knows the Arrows will be ready.

“I’ve told the guys that any flaw they may have in their game, not only does Sam know, but now, the state of Mississippi knows,” he said.

Another factor that will help the Vikings is the number of road games on the schedule. They will be away for 21 of their 31 regular-season games.

“They’ll learn to climb on a bus and go take care of business,” Broome said.

“You get to the postseason, taking a 4-hour trip shouldn’t be that big of a deal after that.”

Broome said he isn’t concerned about losing the vocal intensity Tankersley and catcher Kevin Coker brought to the team, though it would be nice to have one or more, he added.

“Most of them are quiet,” he said. “That may be Tyler’s biggest role this year, especially if he’s not able to play.”

Broome is more concerned with how the players perform, though.

“I tell them to be a leader, one way of the other,” he said.

“You can have a rah-rah guy that’s a slacker. We just want our guys to get their job done, let their actions speak.”