NPC 3-A Outlook

NCHSAA baseball and hopefully some warmer weather is just around the corner so it's not too early to post some things to watch for this year.

My high school baseball brain isn't fully functioning yet but I'm guessing that West Rowan and NW Cabarrus will again be the favorites, although not heavy favorites, to take the NPC this year. I'm also hearing that Lake Norman may be improved this year (pitching) despite losing slugger Sean Cotten.

PITCHERS TO WATCH: Weston Church (West Rowan), Ryan Overcash (NW Cabarrus), Chris Beaver (Mooresville), Garrett Braun & Matt Easton (Lake Norman), (the starting pitcher from North Iredell that got hurt last year.....did he graduate?)................I don't know who Cauble's Carson Cougars have picked up. My apologies to anyone else I may have missed.

SLUGGERS TO WATCH: I need some more help here. The conference lost so many great ones last year. As I said before, my brain ain't there yet (I know more but it's slow)

Anyway, please post some good NPC info and your take on the upcoming season.:help: :help: :help:

 

Go Carson!

 

Well, maybe it is too early! I'll just have to wait for The Salisbury Post high school baseball insert.

NORTHWEST CABARRUS: They return 3 starters from last year's NPC co-championship squad - senior Andrew Lawing (Catcher/1B, this year's top power hitter; member of last year's Wojans home-run club), senior Drew Finney (batted .344 last year), and junior Ryan Lazenby (3B, good arm, speed, defense, can pitch).

Ryan Overcash will be NWC's ace and helped in the rotation by Finney, Daniel Welch, or a young pitcher up from JVs.

 

The NPC is weak this year, compared to normal, however I'm fairly sure they get five teams into the playoffs, I would consider West Rowan, Northwest Cabarrus, Mooresville, Lake Norman, and North Iredell the favorites to get them now.

 

Northwest certainly has some talented players returning for 07, West Rowan is always tough and Mooresville will be strong. Look for new school Carson to surprise some folks.

Coaching news in the NPC: West Rowan has a new coach (former South Rowan Head Coach David Wright) has moved to West,,, when former West coach Chris Cauble took over at the new Carson HS.

Overall, I agree if your looking at college caliber talent, then this year's NPC talent pool is down,,,,,,,,, but overall NPC should be a good league with balance at the top and great coaching.

I look for NW to finish in top 2.

 

Perhaps we can get Mike London from The Salisbury Post to come on here for a preview

 

It might be possible........

[email protected]

 

Mike London is the man! I saw him at the NPC basketball finals at Lake Norman last night, as usual, he was "on the job!" :congrats:

 

NW Cabarrus may not be a ranked team this season, but they'll be a very dangerous team in the playoffs if pitcher Ryan Overcash improves from last season. Also, also look for Coach Hubbard to have the Trojans very aggressive on the base paths this year.

TJ: Are you going to brave the cold to go see Garrett Sherrill pitch at Intimidator Stadium today?

 

Fanatic,,,,,,, no, I missed Garrett pitching and both App games at Fieldcrest today,,,,,,, but I here Jake Faggart had 7 rbi's and his 1st collegiate homerun in the doubleheader today. Way to go Jake! Garrett gave up 2 hits in 5 innings to get the win, and Jerod Faggart and Ryan Laboy also saw action. Good to see the local boys doing well.

Speaking of local boys,,,, did you see where Ryan Query (Catawba College) was South Atlantic Conference player of the week last week? Ryan's already hit 2 homeruns, with a ton of rbi's and is hitting around .500.

Btw, I plan to be there tomorrow (Sunday 1pm) for the final game of the App series. If you come out, look for me.