PAC VI 4A PREVIEW - 2007

Apologies in advance to anyone left out or incorrect data from an admittingly not very knowledgable fan.....feel free to add/delete/edit.


JORDAN FALCONS
Coach: Devy Bell
Top Returners:
SR-Sean Madden-RHP/INF (All Conf. JR/Lenoir Rhyne)
SR-Geoff Turner-RHP/INF (All Conf. JR/SOPH.)
SR-Nick Mangili-C (Hon. Men. JR)
SR-Alan Schlitz-INF/P
JR-Steele Myers-RHP/INF (Hon. Men. JR)
JR-Lee Murray-OF

Coach Bell returns an experienced and talented nucleus and is arguably pre-season favorites entering 2007. Bell boast three dominate RHP's in Madden, Turner and Myers that all throw mid 80's +, and all muti-year starters. Rock solid up the middle with stud catcher Mangili (6'1" 190), talented SS Myers and speedy centerfielder Lee Murray. Schlitz will add versatility and pitch in relief. Combine these experienced returners with the disciplined leadership of Coach Bell and this team will be a very tough out and potentially run deep in the playoffs.
POY candidates: Madden, Turner, Mangili, Myers

RIVERSIDE PIRATES
Coach: Doug Blowe
Top Returners:
SR-Jacob Ezzell-P/INF (Hon. Men JR.)
SR.-Paul Walton_P/INF

Coach Blowe will be challenged to replace 9 seniors from last years 2006 PAC VI Champions. However, with POY candidate Jacob Ezzell and fellow seniors Walton, David Prince (C) and Patrick Prince (P/INF) the cupboard is not bare. Additionally, Coach Blowe has some very talented newcomers moving up from the conference champion JV squad a year ago. Juniors Robert Long (Dirtbags) and Kahlin Villines are two very gifted INF's that will step right in and make immediates impacts at the varsity level. Talented soph. Blaze Tart (6'2") will help bolster the pitching staff and add pop to the line-up. Look for the Pirates to struggle early but be dangerous late.
POY candidates: Jacob Ezzell

ROXBORO PERSON ROCKETS
Coach: Steve Evans
Top Returners:
SR-Hunter Wrenn-LHP/INF(Hon. Men. JR.)
SR-Elliott Tolley-LHP/INF(All Conf JR./Anderson Univ.)
Sr.-Aaron Campbell-C
Sr-Craig Reed-OF
JR-Jeremy Peed-INF(Hon. Men SO.)
JR-Brandon Wrenn_ INF

Always competitive Coach Evans returns another solid team that should compete with Jordan for the PAC VI 4A crown. Evans is blessed to have not one but two exceptional starting LHP's with mid 80's + fb's and nasty breaking pitches. Both these young men are capable of throwing shutouts every time out. Campbell, a highly recruited linebacker, is very good behind the dish and Peed, Reed and Wrenn will anchor the defense. Expect the Rockets to once again be in the playoff hunt. Also, expect Coach Evans to start sandbagging in.....3.....2.......1.
POY candidates: Hunter Wrenn, Elliott Tolley

NORTHERN KNIGHTS
Coach: Pete Shankle
Top Returners:
SR-Cameron Falcon-RHP/INF
JR-Tyler Robinson-RHP
JR-Chase Wilson-INF/C
JR-Justin Crabtree-INF/OF
JR-Michael Melchiorre-INF/OF
SOPH-Bryan Bass-INF (All Conf. FR.)
Transfers:
JR-Craig Farmer-RHP/INF
JR-Travis Horn-C/OF

Enthusiasm abounds at Northern as former Southern Durham coach Pete Shankle takes over the helm at his alma mater. Shankle brings his diligent work ethic and disciplined coaching style that accounted for many championships at Southern to a talented program that is young but very experienced at the varsity level. Northern serves up three talented RHP's in Falcon, Farmer and Robinson that all bring it in the low to mid 80's lead by Falcon who was clocked at 87 this past fall. Multi-year starter Travis Horn is experienced and gritty behind the dish and Dirtbag Bryan Bass anchors the middle. If team chemistry gels, this team could potentially compete for the title right out of the gate.
POY candidates: Falcon, Farmer

CHAPEL HILL TIGERS
Coach: David Miller
Top Returners:
SR-Tarron Robinson-LHP/INF(All Conf. JR./SO., UNC)
SR-Kyle Peterson-INF (All Conf. JR./SO.)
SR- Jeff Giersbrook- OF (All Conf. JR./SO.)

The Tigers are coming off a second place finish in '06 and a tough 4-3 opening round playoff loss to a tough Fuquay Varina team. Coach Miller returns three seniors that have all been selected All Conf. two consecutive years led by 6'2" LHP, UNC signee Tarron Robinson. Miller, a former UNC pitcher himself, understands the value of pitching at the HS level and always seems to field a quality staff. Peterson, who is also a standout QB, will anchor the middle infield and speedy Giersbrook will roam in center. Possible questions to be answered defensely but Miller's teams always seem to be in the mix.
POY Candidates: Robinson, Peterson, Giersbrook

EAST CHAPEL HILL WILDCATS
Coach: Phil Woodell
Top Returners:
SR-Cam Shulz-INF (All Conf. JR, Duke)
SR-Teddy Quinn-OF (All Conf. JR)
JR-Alex Tempesta-LHP/OF
SO-James Heine- RHP/INF
Coach Woodell returns two All-Conf performers in Duke signee, stud 3rd baseman Cam Shultz (Dirtbags) and speedy OF and leadoff man Teddy Quinn. Top returning pitchers should be 6'4" James Heine who showed considerable promise last year as a Frosh and Tempesta who is a crafty lefthander. Two big holes need to be filled to replace A/C performers from last year Rob Gilliam (UNCG) and SS Angel Vargas. Shultz will have to carry a big load (and he certainly can) but pitching depth may be an issue.
POY candidate: Shultz

SOUTHERN SPARTANS
Coach: ???
Top Returners:
SR-Douglas Dalley-RHP/INF

Southern will look to rebuild after losing its entire coaching staff to cross town rival Northern at the end of last year. Southern will have an excellent quality starter in RHP Douglas Dalley (mid 80's+). A great opportunity here for a young coach to build a program from the ground up and the right way. The facilities at Southern are some of the best in the county.

HILLSIDE HORNETS
Coach: ????
Top Returners:
Soph-Corey Gattis-RHP/INF

A difficult situation here at Hillside as last years team folded mid-season due to participation issues. Interest has regained strength and a team will be fielded this year but a lot of work needs to get done. Corey Gattis hiwever is a quality player sub seven speed and very versatile.

 

SANDBAGGIN???

Not sandbaggin here, just delivering the cold hard truth. I am fortunate to coach some great kids here at Person. Wrenn, Tolley, and Peed will anchor the pitching staff this year, Jr's Chris Morgan (LHP) and Shawn Whitt (LHP) will help solidify the staff, but we do have some huge holes to fill. We do have many question marks. We will be young and inexperienced with only 3 seniors. Our outfield will be solid with Peed (JR), Reid (JR) and Tolley seeing significant time there. Big holes to fill in the infield and behind the plate, as Campbell has decided to commit himself to a future in football. Developing chemistry and putting the pieces together are a tough dilemma. The potential here is to have a good team if the pieces come together, but this is a tough league this year. My preseason top 3 would include (in no order) Jordan, Northern and Chapel Hill for obvious reasons. Doug Blowe will have the guys at Riverside ready to play and Phil Woodell does a fine job at East. look for an exciting season in the PAC-6.

 

PAC VI Prediction

1. Jordan
2. Northern
3. Chapel Hill
4. Person
5. Riverside
6. East Chapel Hill
7. Southern
8. Hillside

Let's see how it shakes out. Good luck to all these teams!!!!!!!!!!