Matt Clark set lofty standards for himself in earning county player of the year honors as a junior in 2003.

Cumberland's senior right-hander, who will continue his career next season at Morehead State University, put together an impressive encore performance in 2004 to win his second straight player of the year award in leading the 19th annual Harlan Daily Enterprise all-county baseball team selected by the Enterprise's sports staff.

Clark posted a 7-2 record with two saves and a 1.97 earned run average. He struck out 87 and walked only 20 in 67 2/3 innings. He was also consistentat the plate with a .391 average to go with team highs in doubles (14), homers (four) and RBI (34).

Joining Clark on the all-county squad from the Redskins, who finished 16-14 with their second straight 52nd District title, are catcher Drew Allison, first baseman Brad Watts, second baseman Kevin Cope and center fielder Ryan Williams.

Allison is a repeat selection behind the plate as he hit .341 with 13 RBI while providing solid defense and leadership.

Cope may have been the Skins' most consistent offensive player as he hit a team-high .394 with nine doubles, a homer and 16 RBI.

Watts provided plenty of pop in the middle of the Skins' lineup as he hit .345 with two homers and 20 RBI.

Williams shifted from right to center to replace the graduated Matt Haynes and had a solid senior season with a .369 average and a team-high 31 singles.

District runner-up Harlan, which posted its first winning record in several years at 18-17, placed four players on the first team.

Senior third baseman Logan Curry was a repeat selection as he provided leadership and steady play both at bat and in the field to spark the Dragons' resurgence. Curry led the county with a .502 batting average and a .650 on-base percentage while hitting two homers and driving in 21 runs.

John Smith was the choice at shortstop as he hit .320 with 11 RBI. Smith was also one of the county's top pitchers.

Kevin Harris was also one of the county's top pitchers and had a solid year at the plate with a .347 average and 12 RBI. Harris, who played several positions for the Dragons, was tabbed as an outfielder on the all-county squad.

Junior catcher Josh Howard was the choice at designated hitter as one of the county's most improved players following a season in which he hit .312 with 13 RBI.

Cawood, which finished the season at 10-18, was represented on the first team by senior Kevin Howard.

Howard, who spent most of his time catching and pitching this season, was an outfielder for the Trojans the previous two years and holds that position on the all-county squad after hitting .268 last year with a team-high four homers.

The all-county second team is led by four Cawood Trojans freshman shortstop Mikey Hensley (.268), senior third baseman Marty Miniard (.276), sophomore catcher/second baseman Cory Estep (.243) and senior right fielder Jacob Napier (.315).

Evarts, which finished a rebuilding year at 2-13, was represented by sophomores Matt Marsee (.459), a catcher, and Logan Napier (.350), a second baseman who was selected as the designated hitter.

Seniors Bradley Guyn (.267), a first baseman, and Jared Meadors (.290), an outfielder, were named to the second team from Harlan.

Cumberland was represented on the second team by junior outfielder Eric Huff (.297) and senior pitcher Stephen Creech, who posted a 3-5 record with a solid 2.79 earned run average.

First team

P Matt Clark Cumberland Sr.

C Drew Allison Cumberland Jr.

1B Brad Watts Cumberland So.

2B Kevin Cope Cumberland Jr.

SS John Smith Harlan Fr.

3B Logan Curry Harlan Sr.

OF Kevin Harris Harlan Sr.

OF Ryan Williams Cumberland Sr.

OF Kevin Howard Cawood Sr.

DH Josh Howard Harlan Jr.

Second team

P Stephen Creech Cumberland Sr.

C Matt Marsee Evarts So.

1B Bradley Guyn Harlan Sr.

2B Cory Estep Cawood So.

SS Mikey Hensley Cawood Fr.

3B Marty Miniard Cawood Sr.

OF Eric Huff Cumberland Jr.

OF Jared Meadors Harlan Sr.

OF Jacob Napier Cawood Sr.

DH Logan Napier Evarts So.