Cascade vice-principal David Parker hands the reigns of the baseball program over to Brandon Bassham. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

To say the program has improved since then would be a gross understatement. From David Parker to Chris Parker, the Champions advanced to become one of the top Class A programs in the state over the last 12 years.

Now, the task of continuing the success falls on Brandon Bassham.

"We'll miss Chris Parker and we wish him well in his new position," Cascade principal Sharon Edwards said. "We're looking forward to continuing the tradition of a winning baseball program at Cascade with coach Bassham, a man with an outstanding reputation and a desire to be successful in his new position."

Bassham was out at Cascade on Tuesday afternoon to pick up his keys, check out his new diamond and to fill out some paperwork.

He comes over after being at Middle Tennessee Christian for eight years, including five as the head baseball coach. Cutting ties with the Cougars wasn't easy for the 31-year-old, who joined his parents as a teacher at the Murfreesboro private school straight out of college.

"I had great kids, some of them I had since fourth grade," said Bassham, who compiled a record of 102-64 at MTC. "That was the tough part, leaving them."

His teams finished District 9-A runner-up to Cascade each of the last two seasons and he's helped seven young men sign baseball scholarships, including Lipscomb signee Jordan Baron in 2005.

"The last couple of years Cascade has been the top dog in the district," Bassham said. "We've worked hard trying to make that a rivalry and trying to compete with them.

"I'm sure I just added to the rivalry with the decision I made, and I knew that would happen probably. The best decision for me and my family was to make the change. I can't be more appreciative of coach David Parker and Mrs. Edwards in the interview process and how much 'at home' they made me feel.

"Maybe that will be the first game of the year, we can get it over with and move on from there."

Bassham came highly recommended from Chris Parker, who went 114-63 in five seasons in Wartrace and guided the first team to ever reach the state tournament before heading off to Blackman. Edwards and David Parker administered the job search and interviewed several candidates before recommending Bassham to the school board.

"I think he'll pick right back up where Chris left off," said David Parker, who went 10-13 as a rookie head coach in 1997 but is now the school's vice-principal. "He's a hard worker and of course he knows the game of baseball."

Parker added that he's noticed how Bassham's teams hustle and play hard.

The game plan shouldn't vary too much from the norm for the Orange and Black. Bassham hit .441 as a junior and .338 as a senior at Mt. Pleasant and knows what it takes to win on the small-school level. He also played five years at Freed-Hardeman and served as team captain his last season.

"Mine and Chris's philosophy are somewhat similar," Bassham said. "I may not be as aggressive as he is. You have to start with fundamentals and that's what I tell my kids all the time. You've got to be fundamental first, that's throwing strikes, playing defense, putting the ball in play.

"People that walk and errors are what kills you a lot. I count them as extra runners. That's what kills you a lot in Class A baseball."

Seven key seniors graduated in May but the cupboard is not bare by any means. Among a number of experienced returnees is 9-A pitcher of the year Josh Brown.

"The first thing we have to realize is that we did lose seven seniors, and they will be tough to replace," Bassham said. "We've got to pick up the pace a little bit for that talent that we lost.

"We may have to play small ball or find a way to score, but I think there's enough pitching and athletes back to have success. Again, you look at the success they've had the last two years. The old sports saying is that success breeds success. Even though I'm not a Parker, we're going to try to continue that success.

"I know they've got good athletes coming back. I think it will be a good place to work and a good place to raise a family, that was the main reason for the change."

Bassham brings with him the pedigree of being a coach's son. Father Eddie Bassham has 471 victories to his credit and left Murfreesboro to become the head coach at Columbia Academy after helping his son as an assistant for three years.

Plans are in place to keep the Walking Horse Classic going but Bassham is leaning toward getting rid of the wood bat portion of the event.

Brandon is married to West Memphis, Ark., native Keyta and they have two sons, 4-year-old Keydon and 1-year-old Koltt. He will teach weight training/physical fitness.