Wow NW4A Its time

Wow, it sure is going to be a fun season. South Caldwell looking to defend their title, AC Reynolds trying to stay in the hunt, Watauga looking to take the conference from South, Mcdowell improving, and Alexander will be tough as usual. It looks to me South Caldwell will win about every game that Messer pitches. The one exception to this is the Watauga game. I watched the first JV South/Watauga game last year at Watauga's house where Watauga won 6-0 and also the West Forsyth game at Watauga's house where Watauga won 9-2 and I gotta say from a JV standpoint moving up, they got a lot of talented players. Their outfield has a bunch of speed and if they play how they should they will beat Messer at least once. Now with this being said Watauga has had trouble in the past couple of years losing the easier games and fighting in the hard ones. The lost to Freedom at home last year for example. But once again, THIS IS A DIFFERENT WATAUGA TEAM, this Watauga team is very hungry. The rumor is from down the mountain that Watauga started marking balls 1-50 because in the first practice they knocked too many dingers. If they hit a homerun and can't find the ball then whatever number it was they do that many laps. So those boys are gonna be ready to hit. The only thing is their pitching. But I don't think that will be a problem because the two aces hit the off season hard. The JV ace from last year which I need some help on the name is supposedly hitting upper 80's which wouldn't be too surprising considering he was hitting 83,84,85 consistently last year. Then their true Senior leader ace T Moore has gained a little speed but will just continue to get nastier. He has about 3 different arm slots for about 7 different pitches and he can locate. Watch out for Watauga.

Now as far as South Caldwell goes, everyone knows about Messer. This guy is a competitor and he can locate well. He is very hard to get roughed up because if he makes one mistake, he wont make another. He is always fun to watch. Rumor is Penny is throwing up around 90 now. If this is true they are gonna be very tough each game they go. I wouldn't doubt this kid is pumping it now. From what I heard Penny and Watauga's JV ace had a battle last year at South and they were both hitting mid 80's in the South Caldwell win 7-6. They will be at the top of the conference with Watauga.

AC Reynolds could struggle only getting a couple of JV's and Alexander Wall back. They lost a lot, including a Clemson signee and a Major Leaguer. They will still be competitive though, just rebuilding.

Mcdowell I just can't hear enough about. Great new coach out there will turn the program around. It is just a question to how quick. If you asked me I think next year will be their best year, but it could be this year. They have had a couple players on varsity playing since they were a freshman. That accounts for a lot of experience.

Alexander C. Led by Russel (sp) will surprise a couple of teams. They lost some but not enough to the point of where it will be rebuilding. I think they will be tough the whole way.

Now with all this being said all I can say I have seen is Watauga's schedule because an old friend sent it to me showing me how tough it was. I gotta admit their out of conference schedule is probably the toughest I have ever seen. They play Number 1 North Davidson, Number 2 Ardrey Kell, Number 4 Providence, Number 10 Mount Tabor, and in 3a Number 7 TC Roberson. WOW... then we all know in conference they play Number 5 South Caldwell.
I may be going on a limb when I say this but with their schedule and everything I have heard and seen, considering by the time they get to conference they will be tough. I say this is how the conference pans out.

1.Watauga
2.South Caldwell
3.Alexander C.
4.Mcdowell
5.AC Reynolds
6.East Burke
7.Freedom

 

1.Watauga
2.South Caldwell
3.Alexander C.
4.Mcdowell
5.AC Reynolds
6.East Burke
7.Freedom[/quote]

Amen Brother!! Great overview. Let the games start.

 

Wall is not the only varsity player coming back for ACR

Matt Overbey and TJ Fussell will have important roles for the Rockets this year, in fact, if all the jrs from last year return, there will be around 6-8 srs this year. Overbey, Fussell and Wall will be the ones with the most playing time, and, for that matter, Fussell will have the most Varsity experience as he played both in the summer and fall, while Ovebey and Wall played football.

The Rockets will have to look for some younger players to fill holes and this will be a rebuilding year after losing Runion, Hinson, Paeplow, Haley, Radford, Jeffords and other key seniors last year.

 

Wat. and SC should be the classic matchups for this year. A lot will depend on how the rotation works out but if Wat. has to face Messer SC will win both games. Don't count out Reynolds though they usually have some good talent come up and I don't see this year to be any different. Alexander also has a good program and will win some games. Mcdowell is supposedly better this year but I just don't see them, EB or Freedom competeing with the top 4 teams

 

Penny did hit 90 a few times last month at Gardner-Webb

 

It will be a long ride back up tha hill to boone!!

 

Who knows how the games will end up but the Watauga /South games will be fun to watch. Both teams are strong and both will come ready to win. I’m sitting at the Watauga field typing on my laptop and all I can hear is the wonderful sound of bat pings in the metal building. I bet if I was at South I would hear the same. Guys are working hard!!! BW, his name is Jon “Roo” Sharpe. One of several very good pitchers at Watauga. I’m just a little bias when it comes to Jon though. Is it Saturday yet?? How am I supposed to get any work done this week?

 

1. Watauga
2. South Caldwell
3. McDowell
4. East Burke
5. Alexander
6. ACR
7. Freedom

Mark it down- Alex is down from what I hear and ACR lost a ton.
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Who are the other several good pitchers at Watauga?

 

summer and fall = varsity experience?