<p>Talent is one reason Center Grove pitcher Jacob Cantleberry won a lot of games during his high school baseball career.</p>
<p>But it wasn’t the only reason, nor the biggest reason.</p>
<p>His loathing of losing had as much to do with his 20 career wins as did fastballs, sliders and change-ups.</p>
<p>“I don’t think anybody wins that many games over that span without just an enormous competitive drive, and he definitely has that,” Trojans coach Keith Hatfield said. “That’s what I think has set him apart from a lot people around central Indiana and in Johnson County.</p>
<p>“I don’t think you do that without a pretty big competitive drive.”</p>
<p>Cantleberry did it with resolve, determination and an arsenal of pitches that included an 88-mph fastball and, among other throws, a nasty changeup.</p>
<p>A three-year varsity starter, he finished his career 20-5 and, more importantly, helped lead the Class 4A Trojans this season to the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference championship their first semistate appearance in 20 years.</p>
<p>In recognition of his accomplishments, Cantleberry has been selected — for the second straight season — the Daily Journal’s Johnson County Player of the Year.</p>
<p>A 6-foot-1, 190-pound right-hander, Cantleberry finished his senior year with an 8-1 record and a 1.25 ERA. The leader of a deep pitching staff, he helped lead the Trojans to a 24-4 record and their first regional title since 1996.</p>
<p>Unranked heading into the state tournament, Center Grove advanced to the June 11 semistate, where it lost to eventual state champion Roncalli 8-5 in an eight-inning thriller.</p>
<p>Although disappointed by the semistate result, Cantleberry was more than satisfied with the Trojans’ season. Thanks in large major to a young roster, they were overlooked in the polls and, by any measure, performed above and beyond expectations.</p>
<p>Including Cantleberry’s.</p>
<p>“It was definitely a really good year, all around, especially for the team,” Cantleberry said. “We definitely over-achieved, for the team we had. A lot of guys stepped up into their roles to make sure we were successful this year.</p>
<p>“I honestly didn’t think we were going to be a final four team because this was really an inexperienced team. I was really happy with how the season went, for the team we had.”</p>
<p>One of the state’s top high school pitchers throughout his career, Cantleberry accounted for more than one-third of the Trojans’ wins during his three seasons. He was 4-3 as a freshman and 8-1 in both his junior and senior campaigns.</p>
<p>He tallied 243 career strikeouts, including 116 this season. His best pitches are his fastball, slider and change-up.</p>
<p>“He’s able to throw three pitches for a strike, which in high school that’s a big advantage,” Hatfield said. “To be able to throw three pitches wherever, whenever he wants is a big reason why he was so successful.</p>
<p>“He has worked tirelessly in improving his arm strength and taking care of his arm. I wouldn’t say he’s an iron man, but he didn’t miss any starts in my three years with him. He really takes care of his body.”</p>
<p>That’s because he’s not finished with baseball. Nor does he plan to be anytime soon.</p>
<p>Cantleberry recently decommitted from NCAA Division I Tulane University and will attend San Jacinto College, a two-year community college in Pasadena, Texas. His goal is to be drafted by a Major League Baseball team by or before the end of his junior college career.</p>
<p>“I want to be eligible for next year’s draft,” Cantleberry said. “My coaches and other people are confident of that. I’m very excited.</p>
<p>“I know there are going to be a lot of good things for me down there in Texas.”</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="The Cantleberry File" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>Name: Jacob Cantleberry</p>
<p>High school: Center Grove (2016)</p>
<p>Position: Pitcher</p>
<p>Size: 6-foot-1, 190 pounds</p>
<p>Age: 18</p>
<p>Experience: Three-year varsity starter</p>
<p>Career record: 20-5</p>
<p>Career strikeouts: 243</p>
<p>College plans: Will play baseball at San Jacinto College, a two-year community college in Pasadena, Texas</p>
<p>Favorite baseball team: Cleveland Indians</p>
<p>Family: Parents are Rick and Connie Cantleberry; has two sisters, Devin, 31, and Rikki, 17</p>[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title="At a glance" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>2016 ALL-JOHNSON COUNTY BASEBALL TEAM</p>
<p>*Jacob Cantleberry;Senior;Pitcher;Center Grove</p>
<p>Will Smithey;Senior;Catcher;Center Grove</p>
<p>Ryan Sauter;Sophomore;Infield;Center Grove</p>
<p>Jack Kellams;Junior;Pitcher;Center Grove</p>
<p>Reid Werner;Senior;Pitcher;Greenwood</p>
<p>Dylan Rosado;Junior;Outfield;Greenwood</p>
<p>T.J. Bass;Sophomore;Infield/catcher;Greenwood</p>
<p>Dawson Read;Sophomore;Infield;Indian Creek</p>
<p>Sam Willis;Senior;Infield;Indian Creek</p>
<p>Max Walls;Junior;Outfield;Indian Creek</p>
<p>Luke Bramlett;Sophomore;Outfield;Franklin</p>
<p>Zack Lee;Senior;Infield;Franklin</p>
<p>Christian Curry;senior;utility infield;Whiteland</p>
<p>Kinser Bryant;Senior;infield/pitcher;Edinburgh</p>
<p>*Player of the Year</p>
<p>Honorable Mention</p>
<p>Center Grove: Conner Cantrell, Michael Wyman</p>
<p>Edinburgh: Connor Goddard, Parker Bryant</p>
<p>Franklin: Austin Frankl</p>
<p>Indian Creek: Jared Dehart, Tyler Parks, Trevor Ankney, Eric Braughton</p>
<p>Greenwood: Jordan Martin, Damon Maynard</p>
<p>Greenwood Christian Academy: Krae Sparks, Nate Weems</p>
<p>Whiteland: Ricky Ramey, Logan Mullinix</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
