It’s 206 miles to today’s state tournament; Comets seek to return … – YourGV.com

There are many people who have seen the Halifax County High School baseball teams practice jerseys with TEAM 206 written on them.

TEAM 206 represents the 206 miles from Halifax County High School to the site of todays Virginia High School League 5A State Baseball Tournament semi-final game at Westfield High School in Chantilly where the Comets will face Prince George High School at 10 a.m. with a berth in Saturdays state championship game on the line.

It has served as a constant reminder and an inspiration to Comets players of the goal of the state championship that was established long ago.

Growing up, this is what weve talked about, said Comets senior Holt Powell.

It has definitely made us play for something bigger than just ourselves. I really think it has driven our whole season to play toward this one goal.

Weve done it, Powell added of his team reaching the state tournament.

Now, weve got to get it done Friday and Saturday.

Comets sophomore third baseman and pitcher Drew Harlow said he and his teammates want the shirts to carry more significance by winning the state championship.

We want to make these shirts worth something, Harlow pointed out.

We hung them up (in the dugout) during the regional (semi-final) game to give us support and keep the goal in front of us.

This weekend is a big one for Halifax County High School baseball. This is the sixth time a Comets baseball team has made it to the Final Four in the state. The last time it happened was in 2001.

Its exciting to see that were definitely going to the state tournament, Harlow remarked.

Im confident were going to do well. Were just going to go and play our regular game.

That, says Comets Head Coach Kenneth Day, is all he wants his players to do.

Were approaching it as just another game, Day said of this mornings state semi-final game against Prince George High School.

Were going to focus on us, and hopefully we will do some good things, and it all will turn out on the good side for us.

Its good to get this far, he added, but weve still got two games to play. We dont want to just go up there and show up. We want to go up there and play and win two ballgames.

Day said he knows his team will be facing a quality opponent this morning in Prince George High School.

Weve got a huge task at hand, he pointed out.

Were playing a quality team. If we dont bring our A game, were going to be in trouble just like every other game weve played this season.

The Comets, 20-3 overall entering todays state semi-final game, have faced quality opponents this season and have proven they can win in pressure-packed situations. That, Day says, will help carry the team in the state tournament.

Having played close games and playing in pressure situations will help all of the kids in the long run, Day noted.

Its going to help us Friday and Saturday.

The Comets have had a good week of practice getting themselves prepared for todays game and will be ready for todays task.

Weve just been refining what weve been doing all along, just being us, Day said.

There is nothing special weve done. There is nothing new weve done. Were just going to go up there and play, do our best and see what happens.