After batting .508, scoring 57 runs in 39 games, and collecting a four-year total of 185 hits, Jefferson senior shortstop Paul Witt has been tabbed as the state’s Player of the Year by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. The 185 hits in a career are a Jefferson High record.

Witt was a rare four-year starter with the Cougars, beginning as a left fielder as a freshman and then moving to shortstop for his last three seasons. Jefferson won back-to-back state championships in 2015 and 2016 when Witt was selected to the All-State first-team in both years. He had been a second-team All-State selection as a sophomore in 2014.

In 2016, Witt collected 60 hits, including 17 doubles. From his usual second spot in Jefferson’s batting order, he had 33 RBIs.

In 146 plate appearances, Witt struck out only eight times.

At this year’s state tournament, Witt was given an intentional walk in the later innings of the title game against Nitro. Jefferson led by nine runs and had runners on base, so a hit by Witt would likely have brought home a run that would have extended the lead to 10 runs and ended the game on the mercy rule.

Witt had signed a NCAA letter-of-intent to play his college baseball at Virginia Commonwealth University even before the 2016 season had begun.

Jefferson’s overall record in Witt’s final two seasons at shortstop was 73-5.