2010 South Piedmont Conference Outlook

How are things looking for Central this year? Who should be their stars and who should we be looking at to step up and make an impact this year?

 

JD-
We are really young this season (only 4 seniors, three that will play) with an inexperienced pitching staff. Kids have worked really hard and we have some good pieces....just depends on how quickly the new varsity players can handle the pressure and speed of the varsity game. Notable players for us would include 2B Ryan Watlington, C/3B/P Ryan Yoder, P/1B Jamey Lee and 3B/SS/OF Brandon Porter. Thanks for asking.

 

Thanks Coach, I didn't realize the Shuford kid had graduated. Good luck this season.

 

A.L. BROWN- John J. Tuttle-RHP,SS,3B--2010
Wes Honeycutt-2B,SS,CF--2010

NW CABARRUS- Taylor West-LHP--2010

CENTRAL CABARRUS- Ryan Watlington-2B--2010

A.L. BROWN should be strong, with biggest turnout in decades--2 cuts and
loaded with upperclassmen....injuries will be a big factor here--hopefully, they
won't wear out the arms on these kids. Too much talent on this Wonder squad not to be a contender.

 

Ardrey Kell #1 4A at Mount Pleasant #7 3A Friday scrimmage

 

Since it was mentioned that Kannapolis had "biggest turnout in decades", and "loaded with upperclassmen",,,,, let me mention just a little "recent" Kannapolis baseball history. Kannapolis was very strong in HS baseball just as recently as 2002-2005, finishing in the league's top 2 or 3 spots each of those 4 years. During those 4 years, Kannapolis (get this) had 4 different players on campus AT THE SAME TIME that have since signed professional contracts (Ward, Bartles, Sherrill, Query). During these same 4 years, the group of Sherrill, Query, Boger and Worthington were in conference tournament championship games each of their last 3 seasons, winning the conf tournament both their junior & senior years. These boys graduated in 2005, and I don't believe Kannapolis has been .500 since.

Tuttle, Honeycutt and May are all good players,,, each of them know I'll certainly be pulling hard for them to get that program back near the top where it belongs. I wish them the best and hope they have a great year. Am actually excited to see how well certain other players do this year for the Wonders also.

 

I agree with you TJ that Brown was darn good in those days. Unfortunately for the baseball faithful in Kannapolis, those days are long gone. Tuttle, Honeycutt and May are good players but I'm afraid there's a big drop off after those three. As far as kccnc23756 claim of the "Wonders having too much talent not to be a contender", I just don't see it happening.

 

The reason Kannapolis had success in the years I mentioned, was because their key players had great success, if you know those boys, you'll recall that they literally played great each and every year,,, but they also had teammates who had good years too in order FOR THE WHOLE TEAM to be successful.

Tuttle, Honeycutt and May are all solid,,, but they need to play solid, and others need to have good years too in order for the team to win.

 

As for other SPC teams, NW was hit hard by graduation last year, then had the horrible misfortune of Cox Mill opening up and taking other key players. They still have a pretty good pitcher and decent brother combo over in Trojanland however.

MP, great coach who works hard, will have his boys ready Day 1.

Concord, good coach, got that program getting better.

Haven't seen much of Central, HickoryRidge or JMR lately, will be curious to watch more baseball (Cabarrus County-style) this year. Them drives down Hwy 601 to Union County was for the birds.

 

Concord Brings in New Assistant Coaches

Concord Head Coach Derek Shue brought in two recent college graduates to help him this upcoming season. The two are: Blair Troutman (Class of 2005) and Hunter Wyke (Class of 2006). Both played in college and I am eager to see if they can help turn the program around. Last year Concord had a decent season compared to years before with new coach Derek Shue. This year they have a decent senior class led by Erik Brenk to make a run at a conference championship.

Possibly Concord will have a good team as they did back in 2006 when they won they finished second in the coference, won the conference tourament and got beat first round of the playoffs by Glenn HS.