Mahaney earns all-state nod

Just shortly after the Graham Steers baseball team was awarded with their all-district awards, one particular member of the team received one of the highest honors achievable. 

Catcher Tripp Mahaney, a rising senior for the program, was awarded first team all state honors for his play this season by the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association (THSBCA). 

Mahaney was just one of only two catchers selected for first team honors, sharing his recognition alongside Diego Tagliaferro of the Aubrey Chaparrals. 

Mahaney’s head coach Allen McGee had nothing but praise when talking about this award. 

“Anytime you have a kid get selected all state it’s a big deal,” McGee said. “Team success will lead to individual accolades.” 

That is a message that McGee has preached to the team all season, and maximizing his teammates is something that McGee has also applauded Mahaney for in the past. 

He’s been a very versatile player over the years, playing multiple positions. 

However, this past year, Mahaney spent much of his time at catcher and successfully built rapport with the other pitchers like teammates Ryder Taylor, Mike Garcia, Bruin Wright and Harrison Brockway. 

“Being the catcher is like being the quarterback of the baseball team,” McGee said. 

McGee in the past has said that Mahaney has had quite the ability both commanding the pitching staff while also taking coaching direction from coach Bubba Brewster. 

His contribution wasn’t just in the field though, he also had a pretty prominent position in the lineup on offense as well. 

“He hits in the three hole for us so we ask a lot out of him,” McGee said. 

Typically, the third spot in the lineup is saved for a team’s best hitter, with the goal being to drive in runners who have previously reached base. 

This placing shows the team has great trust in Mahaney. 

When it comes to what to expect from Mahaney next season, McGee said that he simply expects his catcher to “go out and play the game hard, and play the game right.”