Greater Neuse River Conference

While we are talking triangle area baseball, let us not forget the Greater Neuse River Conference. The schools include (in no particular order) - Clayton, East Wake, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Smithfield Selma, Southeast Raleigh, and West Johnston. My predicted order of finish is:
1. Smithfield Selma
2. Knightdale
3. Clayton
4. Garner
5. West Johnston
6. Holly Springs
7. East Wake
8. Southeast Raleigh

 

Can we please get more information about these schools and "players to watch"? I certainly know of some of them, but not nearly enough.

Thanks

 

Predicting the future

I would like to see oldbbguy post his prediction as he has seen these teams play for years. Have at it buddy.

 

Stretchlon ?

Looks something like this:

Smithfield Selma
Garner
Knightdale
Clayton
West Johnston
Southeast Raleigh
East Wake
Holly Springs

 

Chris Richards is a top notch player for West Johnston. Great range and a great arm and he swings it very well. West Johnston returns pitcher Doug Furlong and they have a very good sophomore in Dupree, who could take over the catching duties this season.

Garner will be solid returning their top two pitchers in lefty Will Medlin and Zach Howell. They had some key losses to graduation, but seemed to have solid replacements for them in the summer league this year.

Clayton returns a solid nucleus of players from last year's team including centerfielder Jeffrey Joyner, lefthand pitcher/of TJ Holloman, and 1B Patrick Reynolds.

East Wake graduated 9 or 10 seniors last year, including both of their top pitchers. They also have a new coach this year.

SSS lost 5 key seniors to graduation but return a solid nucleus in sophomore lefty Tate Parrish, sophomore ss/of Dylan Brown, and 1B/C Bryant "Boomer" Noteboom. Those three will anchor the the Spartan lineup this year. They will have a solid Tuesday-Friday rotation in Parrish and senior righthander Will Stephenson. Lefty Mark Samosky, returns in his relief role this year where he excelled with 4 wins last season. Leadoff hitter Josh Holloman returns a solid bat to the lineup as does catcher Matt Evans. Evans also provides another quality arm on the mound.

Knightdale returns their top pitcher in Cameron Richards and have solid coaching in Joey Worley. Like Knightdale, Holly Springs is a very young program in only their second year and will be much improved this year under coach Rod Whitesell. Southeast seems to have different players each year, but always seem to have a couple of good hitters and a solid pitcher and play everbody tough.

 

re Greater Neuse River Conference

I think those of us who know will agree that SSS is the team to beat. I am most familiar with Knightdale since my son plays there. Knightdale will probably have about 8 seniors - 6 of whom have played varsity since the school opened. In addition to Richards, there are 2 - 3 other quality arms on the squad. A little used left-hander has signed with NCCU and will be pitching there.

Southeast Raleigh has a very solid power hitter in Hasten Simmons - depending on who hits around him will dictate if he gets pitches to hit.

Doug Furlon at West Johnston is the "real deal" on the mound.

TJ Holloman will be tough on the mound for Clayton as will Patrick Reynolds at the plate.

 

TJ Holloman

I heard through the grapevine that TJ is not playing at Clayton this spring.