Van-Far baseball made a habit of surpassing expectations this season.

The Indians won their first district championship since 2018 and then had their first all-state players since that same year. Juniors Malik Douglas and Carson Huff each were selected to the Class 2 all-state team, according to an announcement by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association on June 10.

Head coach Cameron Huff, who finished his first year as a head coach, brought in several new players to Van-Far’s bigger roster this season but was grateful to have Douglas transfer in from Fulton and Huff to pick up baseball again after transferring from Wellsville-Middletown last year. Douglas was named a first-team outfielder while Huff made it as a second-team infielder, giving Van-Far’s its first all-state baseball representation since Josh Hodde was a first-team outfielder in 2018.

“I’m super proud of both of these two players,” Cameron Huff said. “They put in lots of extra work showing up to optional morning practice and always leading. These two made a huge difference in our success this season. I’m looking forward to having them both back next season and see what else they can achieve.”

Douglas served as the Indians’ leadoff hitter and was a problem for opposing teams in each game. He finished with a .500 batting average, a .630 on-base percentage, a .648 slugging percentage and an OPS of 1.278, 21 singles, four doubles, two triples, 15 RBI and 33 stolen bases.

Just this fall, Douglas was a first-team all-North Central Missouri Conference running back and second-team linebacker with Fulton. Huff said Douglas has loads of athleticism to go with his dedication and leadership shown in practice every day and during games.

“He’s just an athlete,” Huff said. “He’s shown up early in the morning trying to work on things. He listens to everything I have to say. I couldn’t be more proud of him getting this award.”

Douglas played baseball and football previously with Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School in Temecula, California. Huff said his baseball experience before putting on a Van-Far uniform showed even he decided to put Douglas in a different spot. It also shows his willingness to do what it takes for the team’s goals.

“At the beginning of the year, we didn’t even have him in the outfield as we had him at shortstop,” Huff said. “We transitioned over to the outfield, and I think that’s where his home is.”

Cameron Huff’s younger brother, Carson, was moved during the season as well. Carson Huff was initially hitting in the Nos. 8 and 9 holes in the lineup, but his all-state numbers convinced his older brother to pencil him in the heart of the order. Huff finished with a .450 batting average, a .529 on-base percentage, a slugging percentage of .600, an OPS of 1.129, 21 singles, three doubles, three triples, 18 RBI and 28 stolen bases.

Huff said he hadn’t played baseball since third or fourth grade so he and his older brother weren’t expecting much when he decided to pick up the game again. Carson now appears to Cameron as not only a valuable returning piece for the boys basketball program next year but to the baseball program.

“I was expecting the bare minimum and was just hoping Carson was a warm body,” Huff said. “The next thing you know, he started hitting the ball. He showed up and didn’t want to look bad and just soaked in everything he possibly could. His hand-eye coordination with basketball helped him excel in baseball.”

Cameron Huff is excited to have a strong upperclassmen group next year led by Douglas and Huff but also by all-district players Reece Culwell and Gibson Condie. 

“I’m just hoping next year maybe we’ll have more,” Huff said.