Dawson County native Stuart Chester had the opportunity to coach some of the nation's best young baseball players recently in the ninth annual Perfect Game All-American Classic at PETCO Park in San Diego, Calif.

The East versus West matchup Aug. 14 featured 38 of the nation's most promising high school players.

Chester coached the East team, which fell to the West, 6-2, and said he valued the opportunity to be around such bright talent.

"The experience of being around nearly 40 of the best players in the nation was something I'll never forget and something that I can use in my day-to-day coaching career," Chester said.

Chester, a 1983 graduate of Dawson County, is currently the head coach at Cartersville High where he has won five state championships and been named 6-AAA coach of the year 13 times and AAA coach of the year three times. He also coached Team Georgia to victory in the 2000 Sunbelt Classic in Oklahoma.

"The relationships you build at events like [Perfect Game and Team Georgia] are invaluable," Chester said.

Chester's son, David Chester, is currently a student at Dawson County High. His son Ryan also graduated from the school.

"My whole family is in Dawson County," Chester said. "That'll always be home to me."