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Since the age of three, Dallas County High School senior J’Michael Goings has loved the game of baseball. This year, his love for the game has led him to get named the Selma Times-Journal Player of the Year. Goings dominated on the mound every game he pitched in. Because of his dominance on the mound, Hornets Head Coach Andrew Harrison said he was one of the main reasons they were in many games.

“He was our ace pitcher,” Harrison said. “Anytime he took the mound he gave us a chance to win. He had several games where he pitched a shutout or gave up a couple of hits. In the perfect game he pitched he struck out everyone on the team. He gave up no hits, no runs, and no walks. There are very few people even in the major leagues that can say that they have done that.”

Goings is a leader of the Hornets team and he has gone fairly unnoticed by many but he says he liked it that way. “I like flying under the radar,” Goings said. “That’s just how I have been all of my life. I know who I am and I don’t go telling everyone who I am. I let my skill and my craft speak for what I do.”

This year Goings has been focused on leaving a legacy at Dallas County High School and his work ethic and his play on the field is the reason he deserves to be named the player of the year.

“I had plenty of opportunities to transfer to other schools but had something to prove to myself that I was good enough to play here at Dallas County and leave a legacy,” Goings said. “You don’t have to transfer and go to another school because of the name let your name carry weight from where you’re from.”

Dallas County Athletic Director David Hobson said that Goings’s passion is one of the main reasons that he is one of the best baseball players in the County and that is why he is so successful.

“J’Michael is one of the most passionate baseball players I’ve seen in a while. His passion, love, and talent for the sport are evident every time you see him play,” Hobson said. “He’s been a team leader for Dallas County at least as long as I’ve known him. He has worked and earned everything he’s gotten and we are glad to be able to see him add All-County Player of the Year to that as well.”