NW3A-4A

Well if the snow will leave we can start playing some ball in a few days. I'd like to hear some thoughts on how our new conference will be. I for one think it will be a fairly competitive conference with some good matchups ahead. I'll start the predictions and views on the teams but want to hear from some others as well.

First I'm from AC so I will be a little biased lol but honestly I feel we will go through the conference undefeated strong pitching and a group of young but very good players will give us a shot to go back to Raleigh this year so:
1. AC
2. St Stephens/Hibriten
3. Hibriten/St Stephens
These two I think are a tossup for the second spot with only a slight edge to St.
They lost very little last year, I know their catcher and maybe one more but Wakefield is a fine pitcher and will take them a long way
Hibriten was strong last year and will be this year also. Have most everyone back and from what I've heard a very good junoir pitcher. Oaks? Not sure of that name but I did see her once this summer and was impressed.
4. Foard will have to replace Mo on the mound but has a strong group of supporting class.
5. SC/Watagua
6. SC/Watagua
Could go either way depending on how some of their talent has progressed over the year. Both of these could surprise someone on a given night.
7. Hickory. Hopefully they are better than before

 

I will agree that AC will be hard to beat in conference. With the pitcher they have they won't need to score but 1 or 2 to win most games. They have to be the favorite to win the conference. The one thing I don't like is we only have 3 4A teams in the conference, AC, SC and Watagua. I hate split conferences.
As for the other teams I agree with you that Hibriten and St. Stephens will be very good but where I disagree is I think we will compete with them for the second place. Our girls have worked hard this off season and the results will show. We did lose to Hibriten last year but won against St. so I think we will be right there with both of those teams. Watagua always seems to play us tough and I don't see that changing. Not sure what Foard will bring and like you I just hope Hickory can compete a little. My question is where are we going to play these games as no one here has a dome. lol

 

DOME

We are working on that right now! Just need a few more volunteers out at AC!

 

This is a top quality conference. Just thought I would add there is a freshman pitcher at Foard who looked really strong at the end of last summer and fall playing 18-U showcase ball. This kid is already good, and has a chance to be really good. I just wanted to throw that in there for those who are not aware.

 

I agree with you ladiesbballfan.. This Freshman can flat out PITCH!!! She will keep Foard in every game they play this year.

 

Thats good to hear. Sounds like we will have at least 4 solid pitchers in conference this year. I would think SC and Watagua should both have decent pitchers also and if they do it will make for good in conference games. I agree with what was said before I don't like split conferences but the 3a teams in this conference with the exception of hickory are all very good ball teams and it wouldn't suprise me to see 3 of the first 4 places in the conference this year going to 3a schools

 

I still think AC is the team to beat again. I think St. Stephens has the pieces to contend with AC. Not sure about Hibriten because they lost Pope for the year. Hickory can only get better I would think. I think Foard will do better than people think. I think they need alittle more hitting to contend with the top 2. Don't know much about the other 4a teams.. Should be a good year of softball..

 

Don't count us out (SC) We also have a pretty good pitcher and our girls played together all summer. I think we will be a little young with only 1 or 2 senoirs but some solid defensive and offensive players. It may take us a while to get going as a big part of our team will be playing basketball and looks like they have a shot at going pretty far. We should get better as the season goes.
As for the loss of Pope at Hibriten I'm sure they all wish she was there for them and they will miss her. but trust me the with they girl they have this year they won't miss a beat. We faced her a couple times this summer and she is just as good and maybe a little better. Same speed and more movement with good control.
With foard having a good pitcher coming in makes them a big threat also. they still have some good core players who played theis summer.
I do know Watagua has at least 1 pretty good pitcher. She played with us a couple times this past summer and if she has worked hard during the winter she could be pretty good. I know some of their other girls also played TB this year so they will be ready.

 

Wow what a statement

If she was better than Pope, how come Pope was the starting pitcher last year. Believe me Pope is good just ask Chief about that. Also your not the only ones that have been working their butts off this off season.

Time to go outside (can't believe the sun is out).

 

Whoa hold on there don't you even go there. No way I want someone coming on here making it look like I'm saying anything negative about that remarkable young lady. I know Pope was good and would have been this year also. All I was saying is we faced both of those girls and was very little difference in them. As for who was their starter anytime I don't have a dog in that fight and couldn't care less just giving my perspective on what I knew about every team. Why do some come on here and try to read something bad into everything when it is not meant that way