Athlete Spotlight: Joseph Hall

Joseph Hall has cut his schedule since eighth grade.

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Back then, he played five sports.

The Augusta Prep senior is a standout on the Cavaliers' baseball, basketball and soccer teams. His participation is down from the cross country, basketball, baseball, soccer and track schedule he kept in middle school.

His mother sometimes wishes he would have trimmed more from his extracurricular activities.

"A lot of times, my mom's been like, 'Couldn't you just drop something?' " Hall said. "I'm like, 'No, because I love it.' "

Hall recently wrapped up his senior season on the soccer field, earning Georgia Independent Schools Association All-State honors after finishing second in the GISA with 25 assists.

He might have finished first had the Cavaliers advanced past the first round. Hall said he believes Prep could have made a better run, but was pleased with its region title.

"I knew we were going to be good," Hall said. "I didn't expect my personal play to be as good as it was. I was really happy."

Hall's expectations were based on all the practices he was forced to miss after undergoing jaw surgery this summer. He was cleared to play just before the preseason, and it didn't take long to knock off the rust.

"He didn't need a month or two months to get into rhythm," Cavaliers coach Forrest Wimberly said. "I think after that first week, it was like, 'Wow, he's really playing well.' "

Wimberly said he experimented early with where to play Hall, but that it quickly became evident the senior belonged on the outside. Hall's vision made him an asset in finding players downfield and also on corner kicks.

"Whenever I get the ball, I look diagonal across," Hall said. "And if there's somebody running, I can just play to their head, just get it above (and) behind the defense so they can run under or head it in. It's really based on where the defense is lined up."

Hall has been playing soccer for almost as long as he could walk. But for the same amount of time, he's been a baseball player. And baseball has been a favorite throughout his years.

Hall batted nearly .500 for the Cavaliers last season. Because of the team's low number of players, he also pitched. But Hall expects Prep to have two solid pitchers this season, allowing him to move to his natural spot at shortstop.

Hall might also benefit from Augusta Prep's new coach.

Jack Hall, Joseph Hall's father and the school's headmaster, will coach the Cavaliers' baseball team this season.

"I'm really excited about our coaches," Joseph Hall said. "We only lost two seniors, so a lot more experience is coming back than we've had in the past."

Hall's excitement will have to wait until the spring. He's packed the soccer cleats and is now a basketball player.

The Cavaliers' season will start Nov. 20. Hall, fellow senior Jim Hull, and some key newcomers give coach Mike Guthrie's team a solid core.

Hall's focus, for now, is on the court.

"It's nonstop," Hall said. "But it's so fun."