By Tabitha Evans Moore | Editor & Publisher
The Moore County Raider baseball team held their year end banquet on July 12 and during the awards ceremony Head Coach Randy Morey announced that the Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) named Chris Martin, Ryder Morey and Kaden White to the All State Baseball Team. For Kaden, it’s the third time in his senior season to earn All State recognition. To our knowledge, he is Moore County’s only three sport All State player. It’s a rare honor.
The Times spoke with Raider Baseball Coach Randy Morey, Raider Wrestling Coach Kevin Pearson, and Raider Football Coach and Kaden’s father, Coach Kris White, to see what makes Kaden a special student athlete.
“A clutch players who delivers when you need him.”
In baseball, in addition to the Tennessee Sports Writer Association Class A All State Outfield, Kaden also earned Tennessean 2nd Team All Mid State Team, Tennessee Baseball Report Region 4 – All Region Honorable Mention. He also made All District and earned #12 in the state for hits in a single season.
Raider Baseball Head Coach Randy Morey says that Kaden’s All State baseball honors are incredible when you consider that Kaden was injured when his senior season began.
“I was not sure if he was going to play. He had excelled in football and wrestling and wasn’t real confident the first time he came out swinging the bat,” Coach Morey explains. “I thought he would probably help me with pitching more than anything from seeing his strong arm when he and Ryder played together at Oakland Middle.”
Turns out Kaden can hit too. During the 2021 season he managed a .438 batting average including 53 hits, 27 RBIs, and 35 runs. Coach Morey says Kaden is a clutch player who delivers when you need him most.
“His base hit in the second state tournament game against North Green that tied the game … that stands out to me,” Coach Morey says. “I later found out that Kaden had actually said that he hoped he got an opportunity to bat and come through and boy did he come through.”
When we ask Coach Morey what impresses him about Kaden as a student athlete, he gives us a list of reasons including being extremely coachable, easy going, and hard working. Coach Morey says Kaden’s humble nature for someone so naturally, athletically gifted also impresses.
“You could talk to him forever and he would never let you know that he was a three sport all-state player,” Coach Morey says. “That is a very rare trait in today’s society.”
A competitor who is calm under pressure
In the first year of Raider Wrestling, Kaden powered through his Region Final match to earn a spot in the Class A State Finals in the 170 pound weight class. He ended up settling for TSSAA Class A State Runner Up and earned a TSWA All State Team nod.
His Raider Wrestling Coach Kevin Pearson says the thing that sticks out about Kaden as a student wrestler is his calm under pressure.
“He’s very composed. He doesn’t get rattled,” Coach Pearson says. “It makes it very difficult for his opponent to read.”
Coach Pearson says that Kaden also impressed him with his willingness to mentor other wrestlers.
“Some kids when they get to the level that Kaden got to, they tend to protect their knowledge,” Coach Pearson said. “Not Kaden. He always stopped to show a younger wrestler a tip or trick or correct his or her form. He doesn’t mind sharing what he knows.”
Coach Pearson says Kaden also impressed him with his drive to win.
“In the semi final match, he was dog tired. They were tied and he needed a point to win and make it into the State Final match. He pushed through,” Coach Pearson said. “He’s a gamer.”
Not all that interested in trophies
In football, Kaden not only made All State but also earned a Mr. Football nomination. Region 5 named his as their Defensive Player of the Year. Kaden made the Tennessee Football Coaches Association All State Team as well as the Team Sport Dream Team.
Coach White says both he and Kaden’s mom, MCMS Girl’s Basketball Coach Holly White noticed Kaden’s interest in sports from a really young age.
“By the time he was two years old, he would not let me stop playing ball with him,” Coach White says. “Even when he was eight or nine months old, he always had a ball in his hand.”
Growing up in a household with not one but two successful high school coaches, Kaden grew up around players, coaches, and competition.
“He attended kindergarten at LES, and would ride the bus over to MCHS and either watch the boys on the football field with me or the girls in the gym with his mom,” Coach White says. “He saw athletes being athletes and coaches being coaches and he caught on early.”
Coach White says he and Holly always stressed to both Kaden and his younger brother, Dawson, that an athlete’s success is always only ever going to be as good as the amount of work they put in. Growing up with an equally talented and super competitive younger brother didn’t hurt either.
“Our two kids can’t play basketball. Our family can’t play any board games or video game together. It just can’t happen,” Coach White laughs. “Our family is highly competitive.”
Despite Kaden’s success, Coach White says most people would be surprised to learn that the headlines and trophies are the least interesting part about sports to Kaden.
“Behind the scenes, Kaden could care less about any accolades,” Coach White says. “He appreciates them but he really doesn’t want any attention brought to himself. He never looks at his stats. He just loves to compete and be on the field with his friends.”
Kaden White will play baseball at Motlow State and will become a Buck this fall. •
{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}