Kenny Pickens has been a key piece of the Long County Blue Tide baseball team for his entire high school career. His hard work this season paid off as he was recently named the 912 Sports Magazine All Sports Small School Baseball Player of the Year.

On Thursday, 912 Sports Magazine held its annual area awards show, revealing its Player of the Year awards for several sports around the area.

Pickens was selected as the Small School Baseball Player of the Year after an impressive showing during the 2025 season.

He was a big part for the Blue Tide as they finished the year 15-10 and were ranked the number 17 team in the state going into their eighth straight playoff appearance.

Pickens was both a pitcher and the team’s primary catcher. He finished the regular season with a 7-1 record while recording 72 strikeouts and posting a 2.76 ERA.

At the plate, Pickens was arguably the Tide’s strongest hitter. He posted a .471 batting average with six home runs and 11 doubles. He also broke the team record for most runs scored in a game with six RBIs against Liberty County earlier in the season.

Pickens will continue his athletic career at the collegiate level as he looks to play both football and baseball at Berry College.