For four years now, Dan Smith has been laying the groundwork for success at Port Gibson. Starting with a young, inexperienced team that was greener than the outfield grass, the coach patiently waited for his players to mature.

The Blue Waves took some baby steps at first, then some bigger ones last season, when they increased their win total from four to 12. Now, in year five and with his young roster finally maturing into experienced underclassmen, Smith believes it’s time for them to take a major leap.

“The kids have been working hard. My plan is to be playing on April 22, which is the first round of the playoffs,” Smith said. “Twenty wins would be good, too, but we can have 20 wins and still not get in the playoffs.”

Although Port Gibson is better known for its basketball and track programs, Smith’s optimism for the baseball team is not unfounded. Four of his top players, including pitchers Dominic Savage and Silento Sayles, are back and still have at least one more season beyond this one.