Pitcher's journey from Burleson Centennial takes him to Texas A&M

By Jarret Johnson

jmjohnson@star-telegram.com

Burleson Centennial pitcher Casey Shane became the first athlete in the school's three-year history to sign a national letter of intent, one of many area athletes to ink their name Wednesday, the first day of the fall signing period.

In a weird twist, Shane, who will attend Texas A&M, has not played a regular-season varsity game for the Spartans.

"It's pretty ironic, but I worked hard all this summer, I got to play in a lot of big tournaments in front of a lot of scouts, my name got around and I got a good scholarship," Shane said.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound right-hander, who, according to Spartans coach Matt Walden, possesses a 90-mph-plus fastball, a good slider and a change-up, transferred to Centennial last year from Burleson High with the hope of taking a firefighter course.

The class ended up being canceled due to lack of participation. Since the transfer was already accepted, Shane decided to stay at Centennial, forcing him to forgo his junior season of varsity ball.

"I played JV the first season and it was challenging, kind of boring, but I got called up for the playoffs," Shane said. "We went three rounds deep and the first round, they had to approve me. The second and third rounds, I got to play and I pitched in relief in both of those series."

The lighter load might have been a blessing in disguise since Shane had plenty left in the tank for a whirlwind "summer break."

Shane had a hard time recalling all the tournaments and showcases he participated in during the summer and early fall but estimated he took part in three or four showcases, six to seven tournaments and the Perfect Game All-American Classic. He traveled from coast to coast, auditioning at sites as close as Weatherford and as far as San Diego, Minnesota and Jupiter, Fla., in hope of earning a scholarship.

"A lot of the attention came from playing in the Perfect Game events, that's like the biggest scouting company," Shane said. "They set up tons of time at the showcases for scouts to come out and watch you and some of the best players. I wouldn't have been recruited if it hadn't been for Perfect Game, playing in the Perfect Game All-American Classic and all that."

Shane's hard work paid off as schools such as Arizona, Texas A&M and Texas Tech began fighting over him. He narrowed his choice to A&M and Tech before choosing to become an Aggie, saying the opportunity to play SEC baseball while staying closer to home sealed the deal.

"It's huge, they're making it a big deal that I'm signing and it's an honor to be the first ever at the school [Centennial]," Shane said. "It's a part of history."

Jarret Johnson, 817-390-7760

Twitter: @JohnsonJarret

Area signings

Baseball

Tyler Alexander, Southlake Carroll, TCU

Vale Canada, Haltom, Weatherford College

Casey Shane, Burleson Centennial, Texas A&M

Men's basketball

Nathan Bowser, Fort Worth Country Day, The Citadel

Leyton Hammonds, Richland, Oklahoma St.

Kimani Jackson, Arlington Seguin, La.-Lafayette

Brandon Parrish, Arlington Seguin, TCU

Jeremy Senglin, Arlington Bowie, Weber St.

Greg Wesley, Arlington Seguin, North Texas

Women's basketball

Ashley Ferguson, Arlington Bowie, Texas Southern

Maya Hawkins, Mansfield Lake Ridge, Rice

Kami Mickens, Southlake Carroll, Boston College

Lili Thompson, Mansfield Timberview, Stanford

Golf

Hayden Fredrick, Mansfield, Louisiana Tech

Andre Garcia, Mansfield, New Mexico

Matthew Gilchrest, Southlake Carroll, Auburn

Corbin Kasten, Southlake Carroll, Texas Tech

Kelly Martin, Mansfield Legacy, Midwestern St.

Luke Neeley, Mansfield, Baylor

Jessie White, Mansfield, Stephen F. Austin

Softball

Taylor Brown, Hurst L.D. Bell, Abilene Christian

Samantha Montes, Burleson, Baylor

Devon Walter, Southlake Carroll, UT Tyler

Briana Walker, Mansfield Legacy, Tulsa

Brittany Walker, Mansfield Legacy, Tulsa

Swimming and diving

Ryan Evans, Mansfield, BYU

Bryce Klein, Southlake Carroll, SMU

Sarah Musselman, Mansfield Legacy, Alabama

Kira Schlosberg, Aledo, Air Force

Lindsay Schultz, Southlake Carroll, Houston

Meagan Thompson, Mansfield, TCU

Emily Zapinsky, Southlake Carroll, Alabama

Volleyball

Remy Bucknor, Euless Trinity, Indiana Wesleyan

Karis Cullen, Mansfield, Hardin-Simmons

Kate Dunlap, Southlake Carroll, LSU

Courtney Ensch, Southlake Carroll, Texas Tech

Taylor Gruenewald, Southlake Carroll, Cal Poly

Kersten Kober, Southlake Carroll, Kansas State

Mallory Powell, Aledo, Lubbock Christian

Morgan Rupp, Mansfield, East Texas Baptist

Mallory Sanders, Mansfield, East Texas Baptist

Regan McGuire, Flower Mound Marcus, TCU

Briana Sharratt, Aledo, UT Arlington

Sara Smith, Aledo, Harding University

Avery Stephens, Southlake Carroll, Ga. Southern

Christiana Tavo, Euless Trinity, Indiana Wesleyan

Lauren Wish, Mansfield, Hardin-Simmons

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