Conference Coach of the Year

What coach would you nominate as the coach of the year of your conference...and why?

 

Allen Plaster--East Forsyth Metro 4-A....has only 3 Senior starters and 5 sophs starting. No one including me thought they had a serious shot at winning the conference much less 19 games. This team has followed its seniors to start and now the underclassmen are starting to blossom...I give this credit to Coach Plaster and Coach Albert

 

The SW4A is loaded with outstanding coaches and you could argue the case for many of them. Couser has done an outstanding job, Simmons at MP has solidified his program to be consistently strong every year. Sometimes, I don't believe people give Hignight the credit he deserves. Nobody outworks him and his relationship with his players are unequaled. I wish people knew what he does for his players after they leave his program.

But, this year everyone predicted that AK would win the conference and it was tough. Every big game, the Knights rose to the challenges and found a way to win them. I believe this was one of Hal Bagwell's finest years of "coaching". He had to move players around to find the right formula...and he did. To me, it is harder to win when it's expected than to be the underdog.

My SW4A Coach of the Year- Hal Bagwell AK

 

yup!

it is harder to win when it's expected than to be the underdog.
and some of us still do!!!

 

Hightower--NPC--East Rowan went undefeated in a conference where a lot of folks on this board said the winner would have 5 losses. Also dealt with injuries to his top 3 pitchers and still ended the year as the #1 3A team in the state.

 

WAC

I would like to give praise to the top 4 teams coaches.

4. East Henderson - Jeff Frady has done a great job of rebuilding the Eagle team. They will make the playoffs for the 1st time in 10 years. This was with just 10 players on varsity and 10 on JV. That's right he had 10 players on varsity. I think 3 are freshmen including their best pitcher. This could mean they will get even better next year because they are young. Great job Coach Frady!

3. North Henderson - John Rice has done a great job in just his 1st year as head coach after taking over for Scott Rhodes who had built the Knights into a playoff team and Conference champion contender every year. They have had some close losses against a tough schedule and could be a force in the playoffs this year.

2. Brevard - Jason Brubaker Came close this year to knocking West Henderson Off the top of the WAC mountain. He has worked hard and used his talented Blue Devil squad well this year and will go into the playoffs with some momentum. I would not want to play them in the early rounds.

1. West Henderson - Jim Hyatt has done a tremendous job this year with what most locals thought would be a team that lacked the punch of the Falcons of the past. After a start that looked like the Falcons might stumble into a 2nd or 3rd place finish their bats heated up and are just as hard to cool off as in the past. They may be the toughest kids Coach Hyatt has had in his career. You better come ready for the fight of your season if you have to make the trip to Mills River for the playoffs. They are going to battle you until the last out. They finished the regular season last night with a win over Swain County and have a record of 21-3 and 9-1 in the WAC.

My son graduated from North Henderson so there is no favoritism here. You have to give credit where credit is due. Coach Jim Hyatt is clearly the WAC coach of the year.

Congratulations Coach Hyatt on a great season so far and on career win # 400. The Falcons have won 20 games in each of the last 10 years. Great Job!!!

 

1A SMC

2 coaches clearly stand out in my opinion.........

2. Lance Bristol, Murphy HS Took a team of mostly sophomores and wound up finishing 2nd place in the SMC. Fundamentally sound team that forced you to beat them. We beat them twice in close games and I don't recall them making an error either game. They will be a tough draw in the playoffs and a force for a few years to come. He has brought excitement back to baseball in Murphy.

1. Brandon Dietz, Swain HS Was a team comprised of 11 seniors and in all honesty they should have done well, but his demeanor with this team has been exemplary. Preparation and management of games has been flawless. Finished regular season 19-2 and perfect 16-0 in conference. Anytime you go undefeated in your conference, you deserve coach of the year.

 

a few coaches for you

1. Dean DeeseOrange Hig School. Class act, good ballplayers.
2. Kevin Ferrell, South Granville. See above.
3. Doug Blowe, Riverside. Doug keeps it rolling at Riverside and builds a strong work ethic for the boys,
4. Lester Wilder, Franklinton. Has fought through back surgery himself, injuries and suspensions, one legitimate pitcher, and he has the Red Rams as a number two seed. Wow!

 

MECA7

Coach David Brown, Hopewell HS - Coach Brown in his rookie year at Hopewell has taken this team to a 21-3 record and the MECA7 Co-Champions. This is the first time in Hopewell's baseball history that they have won 20+ games. He has done a great job in a short period of time and has setup Hopewell for tremendous sucess for years to come.