MOULTRIE – New Colquitt County High baseball coach Matt Crews shouldn’t be too concerned about “bad throws” to first base. The way he sees it, anything that would get by his first baseman with the 6-5 wingspan really is a “bad throw.”

That first baseman is senior Henry Daniels, and before Crews even leads the Packers into the 2020 season in February he was leading a scholarship ceremony Friday. Daniels chose to attend Gordon State College’s two-year program in Barnesville. This is a program that just recently benefited from a pair of Colquitt County High graduates – infielder Gavin Patel and pitcher Cory Newsome – to become the defending GCAA champions going into its own 2020 season.

“Of all the kids we’ve had who left here baseball-wise, he probably has some of if not the most potential to make it as anybody I’ve ever seen,” said former Packer head coach Tony Kirkland. “You can’t coach 6-5 and you can’t coach being left-handed. You can’t coach his ability to link his swing. He links it very well.

“I think his stay (at Gordon State) will be short and sweet, and then you are going to see him somewhere bigger. I think Henry’s going to be a nice piece. He’s going to make Gordon a whole lot better. In my opinion he’s the complete package. You get character, education, the skills and overall a great guy.”

“I’ve been blessed to play with great players and be coached by great coaches,” said Daniels, the son of Marlon and Michelle Daniels. He played 24 games in the 2019 season under Kirkland, who retired after the campaign. Daniels worked his way into the starting lineup coming off basketball season, and he produced 14 hits with 11 runs batted in (one home run) in 45 at-bats.

On the pitching mound, Daniels – whose father was a player for the University of Georgia – worked 8 2/3 innings in six appearances and fanned nine batters. However, Daniels said in college he will strictly be a position player.

“I felt like (Gordon State) was the best fit for me,” he said. “They’re a really special program. They’ve put a lot of players in bigger schools and the major leagues.”

In developing as a player, Daniels said he always looked up to his father, so it became his goal to one day play for the Bulldogs or anywhere at the Division I level.

“Professional, if I can,” he added.

There’s a chance now to see Daniels in competitive action as the Colquitt County basketball season is in full swing. Both last season and this, he is a starting forward for coach Tremaine Facison with double-double potential at every tip-off.

“I really enjoy it,” he said. “There are a lot of explosive movements that translates over to baseball from basketball. I think we’ll be special this year, make a run at a region championship and the (state) playoffs.

“(In baseball) we have a new, young coach and young assistant coaches bringing in new ideas. I think it will be a lot of fun.”

Looking towards the college diamond game, Daniels plans to get stronger, especially with his arms as he also plays in the outfield. In school, he plans to pursue an engineering degree.