NPC 2009

Time to get this going. We had 4 teams in the final 8 last year. This 3A conference will again be one of the tops in the state. Here's the teams. Let's get the discussion going.

My opinion the top 4 (no particular order)

Mooresville
Lost Aubrey Meadow(UNCC), Chris Beaver(JMU), Jon Crucitti (West Rowan)

Gains a lot from 2 year JV program that lost a total of only 3 games in 2 years. Bats will be stronger with most of the sticks able to put it out. Will miss Crucitti's stick in the lineup.

Should compete if pitching is deep enough.

East Rowan... Always on top. Corbin Shive to anchor rotation. Will compete.

West Rowan... They have loaded up with Crucitti, Randy Shelphard (ASU), plus a loaded infield and outfield. Will compete for top spot.

Lake Norman...Great pitching from Lamiscola(Catawba) and Whitley(Catawba). Can compete with pitching alone!

Rest of the pack..

NW Cabarrus (Little Seeger, Hayden Untz if healthy). Should be pretty decent.

West Iredell (lost some players to Statesville)

Statesville

North Iredell Only player I know is Tyler Jordan (Dirtbags). Fast as lightning slick fielding SS

South Rowan

Give us your thoughts. Can't wait for this conference battle this year. Will be the last time @ 3A before Mooresville and Lake Norman move into 4A with Hopewell and N. Meck

 

Thanks for getting this started. I'm looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.

 

Even though this goes without saying; everytime Shive steps on the mound you only need to know one letter in the alphabet for the score book, "k". I see them making another run at the playoffs. IMO, It's gonna be a battle of the Rowan's for the top stop. However look for Mooresville to make a huge run too. I look to see Mooresville maybe not coming out on top, but being a huge competitor, and I see them playing spoiler to both teams. This conference IMO for these three is going to come down to playing each other. As always this year's going to be exciting to watch how things unfold with three teams that could win with only one spectacular play or one strikeout or big hit being the difference.

 

NPC

NW lost 8 starters from last year including Ryan Overcash, their ace pitcher (Davidson). Very young team. Could be a very long year.

East Rowan is my pick with Mooresville a close 2nd

 

Nice thread. This is a tough conference for sure. E. Rowan has to be considered a favorite even though they had some significant losses. Justin Rowland was one of the top 2 or 3 players I saw last year. I don't know how much he pitched during the entire year, but he was the most effective guy, by far, I saw on the hill for ER in the four games I watched. ER's outfield was pretty darn good also. Tough bunch of ball players.

 

Putmeincoach,,, East Rowan obviously lost a ton just in Justin Roland and Micah Jarrett alone, those 2 were simply franchise players at any school thats why one is at UNCC and the other at Wake Forest. However, you failed to mention the 2 HUGE transfer INS that East Rowan had back in the summer. Infielder Robbie Ijames (2008 Rowan Co Player of Year at Salisbury HS) hit .548 with a ton of HR's, and his brother Outfielder David (who hit .460+/ again numerous HR's) both left Salisbury and enrolled at East.

As you mentioned about Shive, along with the addition of the Ijames' brothers, along with the fact that East returns nearly everyone else EXCEPT for Roland/Jarrett,,, look for East to make another serious run in the state playoffs. I just have a feeling with the program out at East, they are what everyone else is shooting for once again this year.

A close 2nd,,,,,,,,,,,,, this is where I would put Mooresville/West Rowan. You are right in that Mooresville simply has improved their OVERALL baseball program in the past few years. They are not a "1-player" team, they have depth, and they have great players,,, but losing Meadows they will need someone to step up and be that leader who will lead like Shive will do at East.

As for West Rowan, already talented and adding Crucitti (sp?) from Mooresville and Shepherd from Carson may just push them to the top. They now have depth at pitching (and thats quality pitching) in addition to possibly the best SS in conference (baby Miclat).

All 3 of these teams have fine coaches and it will be some great games to go see. I plan to get to as many of these head-to-headers as I can, maybe we can meet up. These are just my opinions, but these 3 teams are CLEARLY a notch above the rest of the league.

Btw, understand Hayden Untz (NW) IS completely healthy and looking forwarding to playing again this year after sitting out last season with surgery. Once he shakes off the rust from missing a year, he will be one of NW's best.

Also agree with those who say, for a 3A conference, this conference usually has 3-4 teams who play some of the best HS baseball in the state year in year out.

 

Hayden Untz

Hayden Untz is HEALTHY and will be a big plus for any team!

 

Thanks PhillyDave, I had heard that, and that is great news. Great kid and great player too.

 

Wow! Not aware of this and returning most everyone plus a strong JV program. East will be the ones to beat but every giant faces a David at sometime.

West Rowan strong and scrappy. Miclat starting raking bombs during legion season. I don't think he hit one during HS season so watch out. The catcher for West Rowan is something to watch also.