Choctaw County senior Landon Wells has signed to play baseball at Holmes Community College.
Wells has been a standout for the Chargers the past two years despite suffering a serious injury as a sophomore. A righty, he tore the labrum in his right shoulder that required surgery and forced him to miss the remainder of the season after only two games. The labrum is the cup-shaped rim of cartilage that lines and reinforces the ball and socket joint of the shoulder.
“I don't know how it happened,” Wells said. “I was throwing one day before a game and I noticed sharp pain.”
At the start of his junior year his arm strength was not 100 percent. “But knew it would come around.” He says is 100 percent now.
“He had to battle back to get to where he is today.” said Choctaw County coach Andy Young. “I think he is still growing and getting better every day. He has a chance to play a lot of baseball ahead of him.”
Wells pitches for the Chargers, plays in the infield and occasionally in the outfield if needed. He's not sure where he will fit in at Holmes. “If it comes to my choice, I want to pitch and play in the field.”
Wells batted .303 last year with six doubles and 19 RBIs. He was off to a fast start this year, batting .364 (8 for 22) in seven games, with six singles, a double and one home run. But like every other high school athlete in Mississippi playing a spring sport, he was disappointed to see the season halted, and perhaps ended, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I don't like it at all. It sucks for everybody.”
The silver lining is that he will have an opportunity to play at the junior college level. “I thought I might never get to play baseball again.”
To maintain his batting eye if the season is resumed, he has been going to a batting cage in Weir most evenings.
“As a player and being the only senior on the team, I have not performed my best, but I still have tried my best.” Wells said. “There is always room for improvement.” He said being the only senior has put him in a leadership role.
Wells is not sure what he will study at Holmes, but said it might be some type of engineering. “I don't know what they have to offer, but I'm going to definitely look into that.”
After Holmes? “Whatever opportunity I get to continue playing.”
