Wharton 9-year-old-all stars to play in Area I tournament

Wharton 9-year-old All Stars This year's Wharton 9 year old all-star team will play in the District 18 Area I Tournament starting on Thursday in Bay City. The team roster, front row from left, includes Dylan Miller and Joshua Flores; second row, Christian Castro, Chase Torres, Christopher French and Chance Rainer; third row, Tyler Bennetsen, Jason Gmitter, Serena Antone, Garrette Monroe, JaCorey Harris and Miguel Mendoza. Leading the team on the field are, back row, coach Ralph Castro and manager Jeff Gmitter. Not pictured is coach Jimmy Woods.

The District 18 Area I 9 Year Old All-Star Little League Baseball Tournament cranks up Thursday in Bay City.

Wharton plays East Bernard in a first round game at 6 p.m. and El Campo battles Lake Jackson American in the second game at 8 p.m.

Host Bay City gets a first round bye and plays the winner of the East Bernard Wharton game at 8 p.m. Friday.

The loser of the East Bernard- Wharton game plays the loser of the El Campo-Lake Jackson American game at 6 p.m. Friday.

Two more games are scheduled for Saturday and the championship could be decideded at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Sweeny, Tidehaven, Palacios, Freeport, Brazoria and Needville will play in the Area II Tournament in Palacios, also starting on Thursday.

West Sugar Land, Lamar American, Alvin, East Sugar Land and Rosenberg will play in the Area III Tournament.

Danbury Angleton, Lake Jackson American, Clute and Lamar National will play in the Area IV Tournament in Danbury.

The area winners will play in the District 18 Tournament beginning on June 13 in Danbury.

The 9-10 year old, 10-11 year old, and 11-12 year old tournaments will start later in the month.

Wharton will host the 10-11-year old tournament starting on June. 25.

The locals will be joined by El Campo, Lamar American and Clute.