2011 Tri 9 Conference

Any insight on this years Tri 9? Which teams have graduated strong players? Who will be strong this year?

 

1) Holly Springs -- Loaded is an understatement. Well coached, graduated nothing key. Strong arms, strong bats, led by Carlos Rodon (NCSU, LHP) and Justin Manning (UNCW, C/RHP).
2) Middle Creek -- Holly Springs #1 competition for the top spot. Well coached, graduated a key infielder. Has some very good arms. '12 Jimmy Boyd is bigtime.
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3) Fuquay -- Travis Long (RHP) and Addison Braswell (C) are.. very good. Well coached, not sure what exactly they graduated other than very good 3B.
4) Green Hope -- Max Povse (RHP UNCG) and Anthony Colantino (C) are two of conferences top prospects. They graduated some impact players which will hurt.. Pistachio (AppSt), Shambley (WF), and Bogosian (UNCG).
5) Lee County -- RHP Dillon Frye (Western) is one of my favorite Tri9 players. Dude loves to win and would pitch everynight if it meant LC would win. Not sure if he has enough offensive help. Well coached.
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6) Apex -- Unfamiliar with what they graduated but one thing's for sure, Coach Valder will have his kids ready to compete every single night. They will beat some they aren't supposed to and get beaten by some they aren't supposed to.
7) Athens -- Graduated a ton of key players. RHP Chris Williams (NCSU) and OF/RHP Ben Snotherly will carry the load. Young guys will have to step up if Athens wants to make the playoffs.
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8) Cary -- Another new coach, same low expectations because of it. Graduated team leader 3B Stephen McKinney (UNCP) and lost a key transfer to Northwood. Should be strong offensively and below average on the mound. SS junior Tony Sanchez could really have a break out year.
9) Panther Creek -- Well coached but just no talent. I've heard help is on the way but they are still a couple years away -- This could be the year they sneak ahead of Cary in the standings though.

 

Agreed. Except I would flip Green Hope and Lee County, as well as PC and Cary. My reasoning for LC in front of GH is based off of Lee County's stellar performance in the play-offs. If my memory serves, they will have a lot of senior leadership this year.
PC in front of Cary because if my memory serves, PC was mostly a young team last year. A lot of juniors and sophomores who could play. With Cary getting a new coach, its really hard to predict what is gonna happen. Although whoever the knew coach is, it would be wise of him to put his second-best hitter behind Sanchez because nobody should wanna face that kid.

And seriously, Holly Springs is truly beyond stacked. With the talent they have this year, I wouldn't say they were beatable. They'll have to GIVE away the win, for anyone to get it from them. If impact doesn't rank them top 5 in the State, somebody isn't doing a good job with those polls.

 

Fuquay V Holly Springs

From what was seen in the Summer Ball, Fuquay will give Holly Springs all it can handle. With the ability to play half of their games on that small home field is a plus for them also. Don't be suprised to see Fuquay finish 1st in that conference. I also agree about Panther Creek, harry Jones is one of the finest coaches around. He just needs a talent influx

 

Did most of Holly Springs and Fuquays players play summer ball? I thought both of those teams best players played primarily showcase in the summer.

Speaking of PC, their conference record for the past two seasons is 5-25. 3 of those 5 wins came against Green Hope, all of which have been in a row. Thoughts on the streak staying alive?

Biggest trouble with predicting high school standings is that you never know what is coming up from JV and who is actually working in the off-season.

 

Hard to tell how its going to finish. Any team can win on any given night.

And judging a team by its summer team isn't a great idea because who knows who's who and where the stars are. I agree with you though, Fuquay will be very good.

 

Holly Springs and Fuquay

I know when we faced them they had their Studs playing. But i do know that that was a week to week decision

 

I do not have a dog in the fight between FV & HS and I realize that anyone can beat anyone on any given night but HS has to be the odds on favorite to win the conference and sweep FV by a longshot.

They are loaded...

 

Interesting talk about HS and FV. Anyone care to talk details/specifics? Who will step up at FV's #2 behind Travis Long? Long will be one of the best in the conference without a doubt. Braswell can really swing it and anything can happen at that ballpark.

I'll stand by my prediction about MC challenging HS. MC could be very good. Good senior leadership and good coaching can go a long way. Coach Thompson is very good and they win 17-18 games a year under him. I think we will get this show started very soon... Heard a rumor that MC and HS open up with each other in the first game of the year for both teams. Wow. Talk about jumpin into things right away!!

Also hearing that Kyle Byrd, the Holly Springs leadoff man, who has signed with UNCA may miss the spring with a foot injury.

 

Keep an eye on Apex...I see they are not getting any love here, but they are going to surprise some people.