Things changed a lot last summer for Brookwood's Chase Hawkins. After pitching but not yet standing out on the varsity for three years, Hawkins went to Oklahoma with Team Georgia and defeated Arizona and California, making the all-tournament team. Turns out it was just a prelude to the high school season.

Hawkins, the AJC Gwinnett News pitcher of the year, took the confidence gained in the wins over the two traditional powerhouses and morphed into the ace of the Broncos' Class AAAAA state title-winning pitching staff. In going 14-1, the left-hander tied a school record for wins in a season and broke the school marks for career wins and strikeouts.

Joey Ivansco / AJC (ENLARGE)

Brookwood's Chase Hawkins led the Broncos to the Class AAAAA state title with 14 wins, tying the school record for wins in a season. He also set school marks for career wins and strikeouts.

"He's got so much confidence you can tell it when he's on the mound," Brookwood coach Rick Howard said. "The attention on Team Georgia; he signs a big-time scholarship [with the University of Georgia].

"That gave him a ton of confidence."

Hawkins agrees.

"A lot of it has to do with confidence," Hawkins said. "I got to be around a lot of good players [last summer], getting to know them and learning how they do things. I think that's really the difference between this year and last year."

Howard cites other factors, including Hawkins' varsity experience and a stout Broncos defense, that helped shape the 6-1, 180-pounder's breakout season.

"The thing that helped [Hawkins] out was being around the varsity for four years," Howard said. "Just being around the program for four years and understanding our philosophies. And I'm sure Chase would agree with this: how well we play defense. He didn't have to do it all on his own — we had a great defense."

Hawkins learned on the job during Brookwood's final four run in 2007. Elliot Coor [now at Emory] took over staff ace duties, and Hawkins was able to watch and learn how to be a No. 1. The experience was invaluable.

"Elliot Coor took [the No. 1 spot in the rotation] and ran with it [and] it was a good thing because Chase saw what it would take to be a No. 1 and be a stopper."

Hawkins not only led Brookwood on the mound but had his first big season at the plate as well. The smooth-swinging left-hander hit .430, up nearly 130 points from his junior season and nearly 90 points from his sophomore campaign. None of it surprised Howard.

"This was obviously his breakout year hittingwise," Howard said. "I think the pitching created some confidence throughout his whole game, [but] he's always been consistent with his work habits."

The hard work paid off when Hawkins signed with Georgia before his senior season began. The Bulldogs will be happy to get the lefty's battle-tested arm, but the Southeastern Conference champions should be pleasantly surprised when they see Hawkins' bat and ability to play first base and the outfield.

"I can't wait. I'm real excited; they're coming off a big year," Hawkins said. "I want to go in there and do some great things."