NW 4A/3A

What's everyone's prediction for how the conference is going to shape up

 

OK I'll take the bait!
1- SC
2- hickory
3- wat.
4- AC
5-SS
6-Hib.
7- Foard

I missed more games than normal last year. So I really don't know. Just thought I would get this started so you guys can rip me.
Have at it!!!!
42 will AC have the pitching this year to be competive? After the worst year in my memory, I hope we can get things going in a positve direction.

 

ok fellas it is about that time. 34 days to be exact. CAN NOT WAIT!!!!!

not gonna post any standings for the simple fact that i'm not a psychic and i honestly believe this conference could go finish a hundred different ways. i don't know a ton about the 4A teams but coming from the CVAC, Hickory, Foard Hibriten and Saint will be very competitive within the conference.

Hickory has tyler barnette and bransen christopher returning plus tyler poole on the mound. Coach Craft always has a group of hardworkers and this year will be no different. Christopher could be one of the better hitters in the league and barnette gets it done at the plate and on the hill (may be one of the better overall athletes as well). HKY will be very good.

Foard returns Robert McKinney and Jacob Bradshaw to form one of the best batteries in the conference. they can swing it pretty dadgum well too. it will be tough to replace Landon Isenhour, but Tigers will be able to play with anyone with McKinney on the mound.

Hibriten lost a lot of seniors from their last 2 playoff squads, but Coach Henthorne is one of the more competitive and fiery guys i know. he'll have the players up from his JV team and they will play at a high level all season long.

Saint returns Ryan Gant who led the Indians on the mound and at the plate last year in addition to SS Matt Garner, OF Parker Kersey and DH/1B Jacob Hoyle. The offense should be there to play with everybody every night. if pitching behind Gant comes around the Indians could be pretty good. Coach Watts will get the most out of each one of his kids each and every day.

South is going to be South. No matter what you may here about the players that they've lost over the past few years (which were a ton of top quality players) Coach Parham will have one of the hardest working groups in the state every year. in addition to the work ethic, these kids can play baseball. it will never matter what league they are in, South Caldwell is going to be near the top of it.

AC has a new coach who is going to do a great job. i hear they've got some nice talent down there and Coach Whitman will have the boys ready to play on a night-in, night-out basis. I don't know specifics about the Cougars, but they figure to be a good ball club.

Watauga is another team that I don't know much about. However, if you know anything about baseball in the western part of the state you know that Coach Hardee always puts a quality product on the field. i suspect this season will be no different. plus if you can avoid the snowflakes, any road games up the mountain early in the season will be tough for anybody.

No matter what the outcome this should be one heckuva good year in the NW 3A/4A. expect battles every night and don't surprised by any result. we may have one of the top conferences in the entire state of NC when it's all said and done so let's play the anthem and "PLAY BALL!!!"

 

Cougar Man AC will have pretty good pitching this season as well as a solid Defense. I think that they will finish in top 3 if not top in the conference. Hickory and Foard will be solid as well. Hibritan might be a little down but they got a couple good sticks in the lineup.

 

seen no individual players mentioned for south caldwell on here for some time. anyone have a run down on some of their players. funny they are at the top and no player chatter.

 

South Caldwell will be inexperience at pitching. Lost the 2 D1's last year (Penny&Poarch). They will be hard to replace.Some players who will have a chance to step up to pitch are:Tyler Bumgarner (senoir not kin to Madison) has strong arm but not much time on the mound,Jacob Poovey (senoir,brother is Justin who pitches for Florida)tall kid 6'4 has potent if he has improved over the winter. The rest are juniors:Travis Cook (out most of last season with knee surgery, had good summer in JR legion)Bubba Evans Played for post 29, saw some time on the mound.Thomas Ray is the hardest thrower on the team if control comes along. A couple of crafty young lefty's.NO proven pitchers, must develop which we all know J. Parham always seems to do. Offense will be lead by Jon Grey who had 8 or so homeruns last year. Everyone else will have to step up because of so much inexperience at pitching they will have to score more runs than normal. DEFENSE will be a must! All of Jeff's teams are well drilled in the field. They must play together as one and with pride and they will do fine.

 

I wish I could remember this kid's name at SC. He is a lefty OF'er with a tremendous bat from the left side. The kid is fast and powerful. Quite frankly, I thought he was the best hitter on the team last year--either a freshman or soph last year. I'm sure someone will help me out with his name, but he's the real deal.

 

Your talking about Blake Johnson. He has alot of upside. When he stays on the ball and hits the other way instead trying to pull it all the time (as they all should do) he is very good.He does stuggle a little with left handed pitching.He is one that will need to step up more this year. Tremendous young man,also.He is a junior this year. PLayed showcase last fall for Dugout ( I think) don't know how he did there. As far as young players there is a freshman name Gage Parham (Coach Scott Parham's son) who could make varsity. Hard to do at South! He is strong and mature for his age and you know he knows baseball and loves it. He is one to watch!

 

Real Deal

This kid is definitely one to keep your eye on...can really hit it and field it!

 

Wow...the last kid I remember starting as a freshman was some kid named Bumgarner--I wonder what happened to him.

Thanks Thumper, Blake Johnson, that's him...a powerful bat.