Hough High School

How has the opening of Hough effected N. Meck and Hopewell baseball teams? Any idea what players were effected?

 

I have heard from several different people that most, if not all, of last season's JV teams from both Hopewell and North are now at Hough. I also know at least 1 varsity player from North and 1 from Hopewell are also at Hough. A friend of mine whose son attends North (a freshman) told me there was serious concern whether North would even be able to field a JV team this year. I have since heard that the PTB @ North feel like they will have enough good baseball players to field both a Varsity and JV team. If what I have been told is accurate, you have to think both North and Hopewell will be affected. Maybe not so much this year since both schools have seniors returning, but in the next few years.

 

I believe the affect will be felt more in two years. Hough will probably go through what we did at Mallard Creek. They will be gritty and talented this year, just young in age and Varsity experience. Their second year they will see a huge difference in their play. North has been hit hard in the last five years with the opening of Mallard Creek and now Hough and they will suffer more than Hopewell.I would think that all of Mallard Creek postion starters would be at North Meck if the school had not opened. Thats a big hit that can't be replaced as far as talent and bodies to have a big varsity and jv.

 

Who is the Coach at Hough, and does he have good Asst. to help him this year.

 

I understand that Coach Cochrane is now the Head Coach there. Prior to transferring to Hough, he was the Head Coach at Parkwood in Union County.

 

Jimmy Cochran is the head coach at Hough. He was head coach at Parkwood in Monroe last season, and I believe before that he coached with Coach Greeson (Hopewell) when he was at East Mecklenburg. FWIW, I have heard good things about him from some friends involved in HS baseball in Charlotte. I believe Zac Rosenbaum is one of his assistant coaches, and I do not know the names of any other coaches on his staff at this time.

 

Coach Cochran and Staff have chosen the players to represent Hough High School in their inaugural baseball season. Still finalizing the Varsity and JV rosters from what I hear, but they are hitting the ground running with a scrimmage at Weddington tomorrow against Weddington and A.L. Brown (I believe). Even though it's a scrimmage, I am looking forward to seeing how the young team at Hough plays against two quality baseball programs right out of the box. Also looking forward to watching all of the I-Meck teams play this year.

 

Was at this scrimmage yesterday. Hough played well. For a first year team they are loaded with talented players. They are strong up the middle with Nick Daddio behind the dish, pitcher Johnny Piedmont (who threw a perfect game last year at East Cobb), Greyson Oxidine and Jared Sobo just to name a few.
As we all know it is a team sport and teams have to gel to get it rolling. I have no doubt this team will get that figured out in a hurry.

 

I was @ the scrimmage as well and agree that Hough played well and looked very solid for a group that has not had much time together. I personally was surprised that they appear to have a fair number of quality arms. I thought everyone that was on the bump in the game against Brown was solid, especially soph Brandon Gragilla. Didn't see much of game 2 against Weddington, but what I saw of Piedmont was impressive. Daddio is really good behind the plate & can swing it too. They will be a fun group to watch develop this season.

 

I was totally impressed with Houghs performance yesterday, the lefty starter, SS and catcher are future stars. Good luck, except on March 3rd for the rematch! BTW, any secret entries to get close to Houghs ballfield? I swear I drove around Weddington for 15 minutes and took 8 wrong turns to access the field.