Bison becoming a Panther baseball player

There were smiles all around as McCook High senior James Mockry (second from right, seated) singed with York College’s baseball program Wednesday morning. From left at the table are dad Jamie and mom Theresa Mockry; James and McCook Legion baseball coach Jeff Holthus. Standing (from left) are York College assistant coach Nick Carney and head baseball coach Brian Walth.

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — James Mockry’s diamond highlight reel could cover everything from catcher’s gear to catching a drive deep into center field.

That’s an Aaron Judge-sized reason why NAIA World Series-qualifying York College leaders happily made the trip to McCook Wednesday morning.

Mockry doesn’t quite rhyme with versatility, but his all-around skills pulled 18-year York College coach Brian Walth away from his usual recruiting territory.

“First time in awhile that I’ve been out this far,’ Walth admitted during a McCook radio interview Wednesday. “We usually focus our recruiting around Lincoln and that area.”

“But we’re trying to find more Nebraska players. One because they understand the weather around here,” he added. “And two is that many our multiple-sport athletes. They’re more athletic I think.”

Mockry’s played football. runs track and is currently the top scorer on this year’s Bison varsity basketball team.

However, nothing compares to grabbing a glove and stepping on the pitcher’s mound.

Many McCook fans still recall how Mockry pitched all seven innings of last year’s Senior Legion final against the Gothenburg Melons.

He shook off plenty of adversity as McCook trailed 3-0 into the sixth, then helped his National Bank team rally for a dramatic 6-4 victory.

The fan support with celebrations aresomething he could envision when considering York College as his newest baseball challenge.

“It’s such a small-town feel, I love it,” Mockry proclaimed on Wednesday. “Their college is about the same size as our high school, and I love that. Plus their baseball game is really good. Coach Walth does an unbelievable job.”

“We project James pitching-wise, but he can also play infield and outfield which is nice,” Walth added. “It gives him more options and us as a team.”

Walth added his Panthers a “real tough schedule, annually ranked among the top 20 in the country” at York College’s level.

Yet James will keep his focus on the near future where McCook High’s basketball team visits undefeated Ogallala (18-0) Friday night.

The Bison return home to face a 13-5 Ainsworth team Saturday afternoon.

Then it’s two-plus months of track before the next McCook National Bank quest offiicially begins.

“Back when I was little, I was leaning towards basketball. But it (baseball) has been far and way my favorite since coach (Jeff) Holt(hus) took over the traveling team,” he said.They don’t just teach you about baseball. It’s life stuff too.”

“I can’t wait to get to summer and start playing baseball. We don’t want to just go to state again,” Mockry added. “We want to win a title.”