SPC News, Predictions and Discussion

I beg your pardon?? I thought honest opinions were welcomed here. Sorry!!!

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You can't be serious...? Both schools will be strong again with strong senior classes.

Mallard Creek:
Mikal Hill
John Murray
Blaine Kewis
Brandon Wilkerson
Micheal Boles
Garrett Hilman

Hopewell:
Joe Bertone (SO)
Hunter Conley
Cody Strickland
Justin Hammond
Michael Russell

Looks pretty talented to me... and these are only the kids I've seen play!

But back to NWC, I like the fact Coach Hubbard challenges his kids early in the season. It certainly prepared them for a playoff run last year, before losing a heart breaker to East Rowan (2010 3A State Champions).

 

Found out that Coach Knapp at Hickory Ridge will have an assistant coach to help this year. Don't know much else about him though. Also the JV'S will have a new coach that will also help with the varisty. He is Sam Davis. Sam has been an umpire for years in both baseball and softball. Met him at some middle school games in the past. I know some extra coaching will be a big plus for Knapp this year as it is diffcult to cover everything you need to as a coach when it is mostly a one man show.

 

You may be right about Hopewell, but I don't see enough quality pitching on Mallard Creek's squad. Know of any transfers in?

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Mallard Creek has alot of senior leadership returning which is usually a good sign for success. The beauty of baseball sometimes are the guys who take the mound & get it done, who are unsung, or young at the beginning of the season, and turn out to be stars come playoff time. Mallard Creek's going to be tough to play this season. Should be a good test for Northwest. No doubt.

 

IMO on paper favorites will be Mount Pleasant and Northwest. Both had deep playoff runs and both have good cores returning. Having said that I think the conference has plenty of contenders and should send several quality teams to the playoffs.

Kannapolis has a shot in every game Dylan May pitches no matter who they play.

Cox Mill will be greatly improved with a good core of young players a season older.

My surprise team is Robinson. Dominant starter in Brody Koerner (Clemson commit) and a bullpen of seniors who don't want to loose. Very senior heavy team. Good quality senior classs of character kids that have played together for a long time and know this is the time to do it. The return of asst. Coach Darren Hartsell is huge. Anyone that knows Coach Hartsell and the Robinson program knows how valuable he is. Coach Hartsell is a great communicator to the kids and has the players trust. Add all of the fore mentioned facts up and I put Robinson down as the "darkhorse" that wouldn't surprise me if they make a run at the conference championship and go several rounds in the playoffs. Just my opinion

 

I agree with all your comments...with the anticipated improvement of CM, the SPC will be tough from top to bottom. IMO, NWC is the clear favorite, but anything can happen.

 

Hickory Ridge non con games are with Sun Valley, Rocky River, Butler, Weddington, Carson, and Marvin Ridge. Don't know enough about them to comment on strength of each. Help anyone? They will also play in Easter tournament at Mcnair Field in Forest City hosted by East Rutherford High School. Little bit of of a haul to get there but should be a good tournament and a great place to enjoy ballgames.

 

Kannapolis played Weddington, Sun Valley, and Carson last year. (Weddington game was a scrimmage, so hard to gauge anything off that.) Both Sun Valley and Carson had really good years in 2010 and both teams can hit the ball from top to bottom. Marvin Ridge is good every year, they have a great baseball program and a beautiful field. Last time we played them, their pitching was talented and deep, but they lost some kids to the opening of Cuthbertson. I noticed Carson plays 5 of 8 SPC teams...

 

21 days and counting.