Jace Ellis and Harrison Bishop were valuable players for the Montgomery County baseball team all season long, helping the Wildcats finish with their second straight winning season and capture a share of the Eastern Missouri Conference title.

The efforts caught the attention of the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association. Ellis and Bishop were the Wildcats’ representatives of the MHSBCA Class 3 all-state team, which was released on June 11. Bishop was named second-team infielder and Ellis was selected second-team designated hitter/utility player. A total of 61 players were on the Class 3 all-state squad.

Ellis, a junior, was named to the all-state team for the second year in a row. Last year, he earned first all-state award after being named second-team outfielder.

“I’m proud to be able to do it twice,” Ellis said. “I put in a lot of work. It’s cool to be honored like that.”

Bishop received all-state notice for the first time. He was one of 26 seniors named to the all-state team.

“I’m really glad Harrison got it,” Ellis said. “Harrison is a funny guy. He always kept the energy up. He’s good in practice and has good spirits. He’s funny. He makes sure everybody is doing what they are supposed to do at the same time. He’s a really good guy.”

Ellis and Bishop also were named to the MHSBCA academic all-state team. Bishop earned academic all-state honors in his sophomore year. Joining Ellis and Bishop on the team were sophomores Jacob Hogue and Tatum Wessel.

Ellis and Bishop helped the Wildcats finish 14-6 overall and 9-1 in EMO play. MCHS shared the league championship with Elsberry.

Ellis had several strong performances, including a 7-0, complete-game victory on the mound against North Callaway on May 8 that helped MCHS clinch a share of the EMO title.

Ellis, who joined the varsity when he was a freshman, said he is already excited about the 2024 season.

“My brother will be a sophomore next year, so I’ll be playing with him for the last time as well as my friends I grew up with,” said Ellis, who also plays with the MCHS football team. “It’s the last time for everything now.”

Bishop, who plans to attend Utah Valley University next year, finished with two hits and two RBIs against North Callaway. He also hit his first home run of his high school baseball career in the Wildcats’ 10-0 home-opening victory over Mark Twain on March 30.

Hermann senior Parker Anderson was named first-team utility/designated hitter and earned the Class 3 player of the year award. He helped eliminate the Wildcats from the postseason after throwing a 7-0 complete-game shutout over MCHS in a Class 3, District 7 semifinal game on May 15 at South Callaway.

“That (the player of the year award) is a very well-deserved honor for that guy,” Ellis said. “He’s a heck of a player.”

Ellis and Bishop also earned first-team all-conference and all-district honors this spring.

It is the fourth season in a row MCHS had at least one player earning all-state honors. Since 2019, the Wildcats have had 10 players named on the all-state team. Bishop’s older brother, Hyrum, received all-state notice in 2019.