MERRY HILL – He led the entire state in Earned Run Average.

He dominated batters in the Tarheel Independent Conference.

He suffered but one defeat all season.

Those were the statistics that lifted Lawrence Academy’s Judd Whitehead to statewide prominence among pitchers in the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association and led to him being named All-State.

Despite his success, first-year coach Robert Kravitz said he had concerns early about Whitehead, but the young pitcher answered them all.

&uot;Judd was a project in some ways,&uot; Kravitz said. &uot;I had concerns about his work ethic, but I challenged him and so did Assistant Coach Tom Hoggard.

&uot;He definitely answered those challenges and proved he is and can be an elite player in the state,&uot; the coach added.

Whitehead said he was honored by his selection as a member of the All-State squad.

&uot;It is a big honor and a great accomplishment for me,&uot; Whitehead said.

The young pitching prospect said his coaching was exactly what he needed.

&uot;Coach Kravitz was a great coach and a great person,&uot; Whitehead said. &uot;He kept our team focused all year.&uot;

Whitehead helped lead the Warriors to a Tarheel Independent Conference championship and a berth in the state championship series.

The Warriors upended Rocky Mount Academy in the Final Four to earn a chance to play for the state title. Whitehead said that game was the best part of the 2005 season.

Despite being a multi-sport athlete, Whitehead said his favorite sport was baseball.

&uot;I love the game and I love playing for Lawrence,&uot; he said.

Being an underclassman means Whitehead will suit up in the green-and-gold another season, something he insists he is pleased about.

&uot;I want another shot at winning a state championship and repeating as TIC conference champions,&uot; Whitehead said.

During his junior season, Whitehead had an ERA that was just a shade over 1.3 and posted a 7-1 mark for the year.

He was named the Best Pitcher for the All-Roanoke-Chowan team in addition to being named All-Tarheel Independent Conference and All-State. He was chosen as Most Valuable Player of the baseball team and won the Pitching Award.

In basketball, Whitehead was Second Team All-Roanoke-Chowan and was Honorable Mention for the All-Tarheel Independent Conference Team. He was named Offensive Player of the Year for his team.

Whitehead is the son of Charles and Neenie Whitehead of Windsor.