2A/1A Scouting Reports

Projections down in 2A and 1A are MUCH MORE DIFFICULT. The loss of a single player has a greater impact. The emergence of a new player has a greater impact. It’s easier for one pitcher to “carry” a team into the playoffs. I’m not going to try to go into as much detail, but, in general, this is what I expect.

2003 Season Final Standings
1, East Rutherford, 27-6
2, West Henderson, 25-1
3, Mt. Pleasant, 20-4
4, Ledford, 21-7
5, West Wilkes, 21-4
6, Bandys, 17-9
7, Clinton, 20-4
8, South Granville, 19-5
9, Forbush, 19-4
10, East Columbus, 19-10

Teams Remaining Strong:
East Rutherford, West Henderson, West Wilkes, Clinton, Forbush, Ledford

Teams Slipping:
Mt. Pleasant, South Granville, East Columbus, Bandys

Look out for:
Randleman

East Rutherford lost a key player but still has Chad Flack, West Henderson just reloads every year. Mt Pleasant lost their key pitcher and power threat. South Granville lost Matt Harrison who will be impossible to replace.

CLASS 1-A
1, South Stokes, 28-4
2, Williamston, 21-2
3, Ayden-Grifton, 23-7
4, North Brunswick, 25-1
5, Topsail, 24-3
6, Swain County, 19-5
7, Hayesville, 18-3
8, Cherryville, 15-8
9, Farmville Central, 16-
10, Albemarle, 19-4

Teams Remaining Strong
North Brunswick, Topsail, Swain County, Hayesville, Albemarle

Teams Slipping:
South Stokes, Cherryville, Farmville, Williamston, Ayden-Grifton

Watch out for: Surry Central

South Stokes just plain lost too much to stay up there. They have lost Daniel Brown, Pfeiffer, Jordan Ackley, LR, and Zack Conaway, UNC-P. Williamston was also hit hard, loosing 3 players. Ayden-Grifton lost 2 good ones.

 

What do you hear about Western Guilford? They're usually pretty good. What about Southern Guilford?

 

Graduation hit West Henderson and East Rutherford both hard. West Henderson Graduated 7 starters. Both programs are strong with strong coaching should still do ok. Owen will be very strong 2A this year.

In 1-A, Swain returns all but 1 starter to a team that defeated both Franklin and TC Roberson. Hendersonville returns a solid team behind the pitching of Chris White. They always play the Tuscolas and TC Robersons early and tend to take some losses so their record is not as gawdy.

 

Ya gotta understand GboBBFan .... I just make this up as I go along Anyone who takes MY predictions seriously is also probably standing in line to buy the Brooklyn Bridge.

W Guilford lost Lineberry, SW Guilford lost Norwood. I don't know who is going to step up yet for either team as the leaders. They are probably going to have to get into the season before you can get a true read on either team.

 

With the lefty/righty combination of Starcevic and Van Popering on the mound at Charlotte Catholic, are they going to be a force in the RR2A this year? What's their projection for states?

 

yea starcevic and van poppering will be good this year as juniors...i believe...the RRC should be as good as ever, any team in the conference can win it this year ...only team im not sure about is monroe but north stanly and west stanly return 2 really good teams and im sure mount will come back with a good team once again...catholic has a chance if they hit the ball and forest hills should have a pretty even all around game...west mont returns there ace as well as some good sticks and players on defense...hope this helps

 

Thanks for the update NSbaseball5 ... that's a good review of the conference.

 

Mount lost their top three pitchers and entire coaching staff this year. They will still return Chris Taylor (UNCC) behind the plate, Brett Fisher, George Smith, and Jason Walker. These guys all were very important parts of last years team so I expect them to still be very competitive. W. Stanly is the team to watch this year. They have two legit studs on the mound. If their bats help them out, I'd look for them to win it this year. I just hope Mounts pitching can keep them off the board.

 

yea west has thorpe and helms...we return culp,hunter,davis for pitchin and have bj atkins and randy honeycutt prob gone throw some...and a new lefty from PA who looks to be pretty good...so look for one tough conf this year out of the RRC with only 2 spots to go to states

 

After many sleepless nights, much consideration, and large quantities of the mountains version of "swamp juice" I will take a stab at the top 10 for the 2A west.

1. East Rutherford
2. Owen
3. West Wilkes
4. Ledford
5. North Henderson
6. Western Guilford
7. Forbush
8. West Stanley
9. Mount Pleasant
10. West Henderson

Wilkes Central, Western Alamance, and Bandys may figure into this by seasons end.