The Dixie Boys 14-year-old tournament team is preparing for its district tournament on July 6, the first step on what the team hopes will be the road to a state title.

“We added Reid Dickey and Tehran Stallworth to this team that finished second in the state last year, so we’re looking for big things from them this year,” head coach Britt Newman said.

Newman said the team has impressed him thus far during practice.

“We’re looking pretty good,” Newman said. “We’ve had one practice game and we looked pretty good in it.”

Besides the addition of Dickey and Stallworth, Newman said he is excited about the catching situation for his team.

“Michael Fox has done a good job of stepping up and catching, which is very big for this team,” Newman said.

However, Newman said he feels his entire team is talented, not just any certain player.

“Overall, one through 13, we have some very good ball players,” he said. “We have no weaknesses on this team. We’ve got good pitching with nine different pitchers.”

Newman said his team is strong in all areas of the game, something that should increase its odds of advancing to the state tournament.

“We’ve got three strengths,” Newman said. “We’ve got pitching, hitting and defense. I like our chances.”

Talent isn’t the only aspect of the game, however, and Newman said his team will benefit from good team chemistry.

“They’ve come together real good,” Newman said. “They’ve all played together at some pit before in rec ball, so they’re pretty familiar with one another.”

In addition to Fox, Dickey and Stallworth, the Dixie Boys 14-year-old tournament team includes, Taytom Barnes, Robert Benton, Michael Carroll, Jalin Lawson, Brantley LeCroy, Dustin Newman, Taylor Renfroe, Austin Rushing, Josh Starling and Lawson Stewart.

Newman is the head coach, while the assistant coaches are Wayne Stewart and Ashley Floyd.