SW4A Preview - 2010

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Diamonds in the Rough

Want to go three for three in predictions this spring? Number one, bet that the Southwestern 4A will once again be one of the most formidable, awe-inspiring, and competitive leagues in the state. Secondly, wager that the conference is full of star studded talent that will sparkle night after night in the bright lights that illuminate the area ball fields. Finally, go ahead and place a sawbuck on the fact that while there are many outstanding players in the SW4A, the team that wears the loop’s crown come season’s end will be there not only because of those “stars” but will have a hand full of lesser known players, diamonds in the rough, that came up big in the pressure cooker that is the SW4A.

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s realignment for the 2010 season has created a number of outstanding 4A leagues like the Mid-Eastern, with the addition of perennial 4A power Greenville Rose and New Bern added to the Wilmington 4As; the I-Meck where Hopewell, North Meck and the likes welcome state 3A champion Lake Norman and Mooresville; and the newly created Piedmont-Triad where Northwest Guilford, East Forsyth and company join forces with Ragsdale, Glenn, Parkland, et al. Even with all the new “expansion leagues,” none will have a greater claim towards conference supremacy than the SW4A.

In what has become the norm, the SW4A once again represented the west region in the state 4A championship series with Ardrey Kell winning their first ever title. Only Madison Bumgarner and the South Caldwell Spartans have interrupted the SW4A’s state finals streak where a league member has played in the championship series each year since 2003. During that span, four different SW4A clubs have made finals appearances: Myers Park 2003, Independence 2004, South Meck 2005, Ardrey Kell 2008 & 2009. Providence has averaged over 20 wins a season (more than any other team excluding AK which entered the league in 2007) during the same time period, and Butler had a 27 win season in 2007 before being knocked out by South Caldwell in the sectionals.

In 2009, the SW4A was 62-18 in non-league contests, a .775 winning percentage with all eight members of the league qualifying for the state playoffs. There (in the playoffs) the league posted a state best 14 wins against eight losses with three of the losses coming to fellow loop members.

With all that being said, this season quite possibly is the strongest, most balanced the league has ever been. Each team has multiple college signees, commitments, or hot prospects. A closer look at the league’s pitching staffs (Ardrey Kell: Alex Baker, Ryan Butler, Ashton Lover; Butler: Tommy Hibbard, Ryan Mas, Patrick McMahon; East Meck: Jonathan Crews, Olin Little, Lou Troush; Independence: Gabe Hutchings, Carson Plyer, Deano Psaroudis; Myers Park: Grant Fisher, Matt Hedburg, Tyler Powell; Providence: Kyle Kessler, Ryan McClintock, Kurt Semeniuk; South Meck: Michael Atz, Harrison Hood, Trevor Hovis) and you will find no team will throw a starter that they do not feel has a chance to win every time they take the mound. Almost every one of the pitchers listed has not only thrown innings in the league, but have won games. These are just the experience hurlers and don’t think for a second that is all there is. Those diamonds in the rough are waiting.

The sticks are no less daunting. From Ratledge to Anderson; the Daniels to Starns; from Holberton to Austin to Wright, each club has the big run producers with a plethora of others that have made their mark in the league.

It may be that senior who has been waiting his turn, or the youthful raw talent that is ready to burst onto the seen. Soon, look for names such as Yokely, Hasty, Campana, McKelvey, Wilson, Powell, Wolf, Stewart, Reister, Christian, Gerhinger, Rose, Thorton, or McCue to become part of the SW4A lexicon for the 2010 season. There will be others too. Those diamonds in the rough are waiting.

The pitching staffs are strong across the board in the league. The bats are stout with every team having their share. But that will not be enough to win a SW4A title. That is why the loop’s coaches have been hard at work all summer and fall, shining and polishing their precious talent. They know that the margin of victory in this league will be minuscule. Advance a runner with a back side ground out and you win, blow a bunt coverage and you lose. Find that extra arm that can get the critical outs at the end of a game or the bat that protects your star in the batting order and you are the league champion.

Those diamonds in the rough are waiting.

 

Outlook

For release: November 27, 2010

SW4A Preview – 2010


Ardrey Kell Knights – Coach: Hal Bagwell (269-105) – 4th season (14th SW4A)

2009 Record: 27-8, 11-3 SW4A – 2nd
Last Conference Title: 2008
Last SW4A Tournament Championship: None
Last Play-off Appearance: 2009 – Champions
Last State Finals: 2009
Last State Title: 2009

Key Losses: Alex Wood – P (NC 4A player of the year, All-State, All-SW4A)
Ryan Stetson – CF (All-State, All-SW4A)
Zico Pasut – RF (All-SW4)

Top Returns: Jack Reinheimer – 2B (East Carolina)
Logan Ratledge – SS (All-SW4A – North Carolina State)
Alex Baker – P (Georgetown)
Ashton Lover – P (Francis Marion)
Cody Shelton – 3B (Wingate)
Ryan Butler – P (Marshall)

After falling just short in the 2008 state finals in a hard fought series with perennial power Greenville Rose, Ardrey Kell caught fire at the right time in 2009 as they streaked to the 4A state championship. Despite graduating some top talent, including 4A state player of the year Alex Wood and all-stater Ryan Stetson, AK will still be a formable club in 2010. They return the trio of pitchers that took the mound in the 4A regional and final series in Alex Baker, Ashton Lover, and Ryan Butler plus All-SW4A shortstop Logan Ratledge and East Carolina signee second baseman Jack Reinheimer. Look for juniors Brett Lang and Alex Leach to supply the power in the Knights’ line-up. Without question, this team is capable of making a third consecutive deep run in the 4A playoffs.



Butler Bulldogs – Coach: Kim Cousar (196-116) – 13th season

2009 Record: 19-10, 8-6 SW4A – T3rd
Last Conference Title: 2007
Last SW4A Tournament Championship: 2007
Last Play-off Appearance:2009 – 3rd Round

Key Losses: Tyler Tewell – C/P (All-SW4A)
Jake Fincher – SS (All-SW4A)
Matt Varnadoe – P


Top Returns: Patrick McMahon – P/1B (All-SW4A – UNC Pembroke)
Ryan Mas – P (Charlotte)
Matt Rose - C (Lenior Rhyne)
David Anderson – CF
Tommy Hibbard – 3B/P

Butler, off their third place finish in 2009, looks to take another step or two up the league ladder to the top in 2010. To do so, they will need to fill some big holes in the Bulldog line-up including rebuilding their middle infield. Catcher Matt Rose will be called upon to replace one of the league’s most prolific hitters last year in Tyler Tewell. Center fielder David Anderson, the only returning SW4A player who finished in the top ten in the league in home runs (T3rd), will supply the power. However, the decisive factor for Butler is on the mound where they return all-leaguer Patrick McMahon and Charlotte signee Ryan Mas. That one-two punch will give the Bulldogs a chance to win every time they take the hill.

East Meck Eagles – Coach: Clint Koppe (0-0) – 1st season

2009 Record: 10-14, 4-10 SW4A – T6th
Last Conference Title: 1994
Last SW4A Tournament Championship: 1983
Last Play-off Appearance: 2009 – 1st Round


Key Losses: Wes Carlisle – OF
Ricky Marvin – C
Ryan Robinette - P


Top Returns: Lou Trosch – P
Olin Little – P (All-SW4A - Wingate)
Leighton Daniels – SS (All-SW4A - Winthrop)

Long time field boss Chet Greason departed the Eagles for Hopewell, but he certainly left the cupboards full for new skipper Clint Koppe. In a league full of top starting tandems, none is more highly regarded than that of senior Olin Little and junior Lou Troush. Both Little (2009) and Troush (2008) have been all-league pitchers and the duo combined to start 18 of 24 games for East in ’09 where the Eagles allowed three or less runs in 14 games and only gave up more than five runs four times all season. Add junior Jonathan Crews to the mix and the Eagles have arguably the most talented staff in the loop. Scoring was the issue for East in 2009 where they were shutout six times and scored two or less in 11 games. In fact, East only plated 32 runs in 15 SW4A contests in 2009. Look for the Eagle offense to be greatly improved, built around all-league senior short stop Leighton Daniels who hit .443 last season. Third baseman brother David Daniels, a junior, has seen his stock skyrocket off an excellent summer and fall on the showcase circuit. Christian Lee returns to anchor the Eagle outfield. If the Eagles can average four or more runs a game, instead of two in league play, East could very well win their first SW4A title in 15 years.

 

Outlook - Part 2

Independence Patriots – Coach: Matt Dykema (14-31) – 3rd season

2009 Record: 9-15, 2-12 SW4A – 8th
Last Conference Title: 2004 (MECA) 2001 (SW4A)
Last Tournament Championship: 2004 (MECA) 2001 (SW4A)
Last Play-off Appearance: 2009 – 1st Round
Last State Finals: 2004
Last State Title: 1984

Key Losses: Jonathan Biddy – 1B
Sean Beo - DH

Top Returns: Cody Starnes – C/OF
Carson Plyer – SS/P
Dino Psaroudis – OF/P (All-SW4A HM)

The Patriots made great improvement under second year coach Matt Dykema in 2009 making the playoffs for the first time since 2006. There, they took SW4A league champion Providence to the wire before falling 2-1 in the opening round of the state 4A playoffs. Independence will return more SW4A varsity experienced players than any team in the league this season losing just one regular starter. Senior Deano Psaroudis, who hit over .350 in the league last season earning him honorable mention honors, will lead the Patriots. Add senior speedster Cody Starnes (CF) and double play combo juniors Carson Plyer and Brandon Wolf and you will find the Independence defense is very good up the middle. Sophomore Gabe Hutchings was the number one starter for the Patriots last year and his development in the league had a direct correlation with the improved Patriot play. Plyer and Psaroudis also demonstrated the ability to consistently get SW4A hitters out by season’s end giving the Patriots three solid pitchers for 2010. In the 2009 junior loop, Independence was the only SW4A team to hang a loss on Ardrey Kell. A 15 plus win season is well with in reach of this team.


Myers Park Mustangs – Coach: John Spencer (19-9) – 2nd season

2009 Record: 19-9, 8-6 SW4A – T3rd
Last Conference Title: 2003
Last SW4A Tournament Championship: 2009
Last Play-off Appearance: 2009 – 2nd Round
Last State Finals: 2003
Last State Title: 1970

Key Losses: Robert Balsley – P (All-SW4A)
Chris Overman – P
Austin Campbell – P
JD Ey – SS


Top Returns: Brian Holberton – C (All-SW4A – North Carolina)
Joe Hager – RF (UNC-Greensboro)
Grant Goodson - CF

Myers Park, the defending league tournament champions, returns arguably the conference’s top player in catcher Brian Holberton. An UNC signee, Holberton batted .464 while throwing out 60 percent of would be base stealers in 2009. But Holberton is far from the only talent the Mustangs return. Junior Grant Goodson was just behind Holberton on the Mustang hit chart. Senior Joe Hager swings a big stick and Brent George will slide over to short stop to anchor the Mustang infield with returning starters Tyler Powell (3B-Jr) and Andy Wilson (1B-Sr). The key for the Mustangs will be replacing the three graduated pitchers, now all collegiate players, who threw most of the innings for MP last season. Hard throwing senior right hander Grant Fisher did make six starts and junior Matt Hedburg was effective when called upon in 2009. If the Myers Park pitchers deliver, the Mustangs will be in the title hunt once again.

 

Outlook - Part 3

Providence Panthers – Coach: Danny Hignight (129-41) – 6th season

2009 Record: 23-6, 13-1 SW4A – 1st
Last Conference Title: 2009
Last SW4A Tournament Championship: 2005
Last Play-off Appearance: 2009 – 3rd Round
Last State Finals: 1997
Last State Title: 1995

Key Losses: Richie Shaffer – 3B/P (All-State, All-SW4A, Dodgers 25th round)
Tyler Zupcic – CF (All-State, All-SW4A)
CA Clayton – SS (All-SW4A)

Top Returns: Kurt Semeniuk – P/3B (All-SW4A)
Brett Austin – OF/C (All-SW4A – NC State)
Jackson Campana – IF/P
Ryan McClintock – P (Catawba)
Kyle Kessler – P (Marshall)


Providence won their ninth league title last season, the most of any team over the last 40 years of the SW4A. And while the Panthers lost a ton of talent, led by two all-staters in Richie Shaffer and Tyler Zupcic, do not be surprised to see the Black Cats reload and contend again in 2010. Providence has the building blocks in place. Two year veteran senior Kurt Semeniuk has pitched a ton of pressure games already and continues to come up big for the Panthers. Brett Austin, a sweet swinging switch hitting junior, is one of the most feared bats in the SW4A and sophomore Jackson Campana gave notice last year when he homered in his first varsity at bat that he was ready for prime time. The Panthers picked up junior all-league short stop Jake Fincher as a transfer from Butler, return senior power bat Mike Dunn in left, and look for sophomore Michael Herbert to be added to the mix. Throw in the strong arms of senior pitchers Zach McKelvey, Kyle Kessler and Ryan McClintock and the Panthers are ready to make another deep play-off run.


South Meck Sabres – Coach: John Tuscan (0-0) 1st Year

2009 Record: 14-13, 4-10 SW4A – T6th
Last Conference Title: 2004
Last SW4A Tournament Championship: 2006
Last Play-off Appearance: 2009 – 2nd Round
Last State Finals: 2005
Last State Title: 1989



Key Losses: Spence Shuey – 1B (All-SW4A)
Casey Gebhardt– CF
Matt Youtsey – SS
Joe Shealy – P


Top Returns: Deuce Wright – C (Spartanburg Methodist)
Caleb Cunningham – OF/P
Michael Atz – P (USC-Sumter)
Harrison Hood – P (Francis Marion)

Unlike the coaching change at East Meck, the club that new head coach John Tuscan took over was devastated by graduation. Seven position starters plus three starting pitchers are gone from the 2009 club that lost 5-4 to South Caldwell in the second round of the 4A playoffs. Nevertheless, Coach Tuscan has hit the ground running and the Sabres have had an excellent fall. Despite the heavy graduation toll, South still has a good foundation which to build from in 2010. Senior switch hitting catcher Deuce Wright and outfielder Caleb Cunningham are three year starters and are two of the premier players in the league. The hard throwing Cunningham has been developing on the mound and will have an opportunity this spring to join Harrison Hood in the Sabre rotation. Look for left handed Michael Atz, the Sabres closer last season, to take a more leading role in 2010. Add a healthy Trevor Hovis, another hard throwing lefty who has signed with Francis Marion, and Stephen Hasty and the Sabres have the arms that will allow them to compete in the league this season. Out fielders Will Yokely and Lee Sutton both saw spot starts in 2009. If the rebuilt Sabre infield is solid defensively, South will be a factor.

 

Schedule Glance

Schedule glance is not a complete schedule for all teams and is subject to change.


Ardrey Kell
3/2 Weddington
3/3 @ North Meck
3/4 Impact Invitational @ USA Olympic Training Center, Cary
3/9 @ Marvin Ridge
3/10 West Stanly
3/12 South Meck
3/16 @ Independence
3/19 @ Myers Park
3/23 Butler
3/26 East Meck
3/27 Watauga
4/1 @ Providence
4/6 Jack Sink Tournament @ Myers Park
4/7 Jack Sink Tournament @ Myers Park
4/8 Jack Sink Tournament @ Myers Park
4/13 @ South Meck
4/16 Independence
4/17 @ Richmond
4/20 Myers Park
4/23 @ Butler
4/26 @ West Meck
4/27 @ East Meck
4/29 @ Hopewell
5/3 Providence

Butler
3/2 Waddell
3/5 Vance
3/12 Myers Park
3/19 @ East Meck
3/23 @ Ardrey Kell
3/26 @ Providence
3/30 @ South Meck
4/1 @ Independence
4/6 Easter Tournament @ East Meck
4/7 Easter Tournament @ East Meck
4/8 Easter Tournament @ East Meck
4/13 @ Myers Park
4/20 East Meck
4/23 Ardrey Kell
4/27 Providence
4/30 South Meck
5/3 Independence

East Meck
3/2 @ West Charlotte
3/3 Vance
3/5 Mallard Creek
3/9 @ West Meck
3/12 Independence
3/16 @ Myers Park
3/17 @ Hopewell
3/19 Butler
3/24 Harding
3/26 @ Ardrey Kell
3/30 Providence
4/1 @ South Meck
4/6 Easter Tournament @ East Meck
4/7 Easter Tournament @ East Meck
4/8 Easter Tournament @ East Meck
4/13 @ Independence
4/16 Myers Park
4/20 @ Butler
4/27 Ardrey Kell
4/30 @ Providence
5/3 South Meck

Independence
3/2 @ Mallard Creek
3/3 Hopewell
3/9 West Charlotte
3/11 Vance
3/12 @ East Meck
3/13 Richmond
3/15 @ Olympic
3/16 Ardrey Kell
3/19 Providence
3/22 @ West Meck
3/23 South Meck
3/30 @ Myers Park
4/1 Butler
4/6 Easter Tournament @ East Meck
4/7 Easter Tournament @ East Meck
4/8 Easter Tournament @ East Meck
4/13 East Meck
4/16 @ Ardrey Kell
4/20 @ Providence
4/23 @ South Meck
4/30 Myers Park
5/3 @ Butler

Myers Park
3/3 @ Olympic
3/4 @ Mallard Creek
3/5 Hopewell
3/9 North Meck
3/12 @ Butler
3/16 East Meck
3/19 Ardrey Kell
3/22 @ Hopewell
3/23 @ Providence
3/26 @ South Meck
3/30 Independence
4/6 Jack Sink Tournament
4/7 Jack Sink Tournament
4/8 Jack Sink Tournament
4/13 Butler
4/16 East Meck
4/20 @ Ardrey Kell
4/23 Providence
4/27 South Meck
4/30 @ Independence

Providence
3/3 @ Charlotte Catholic
3/5 North Meck
3/6 Impact Invitational @ Olympic Training Center, Cary
3/9 @ Hopewell
3/16 @ South Meck
3/19 @ Independence
3/23 Myers Park
3/26 Butler
3/30 @ East Meck
4/1 Ardrey Kell
4/6 Jack Sink Tournament
4/7 Jack Sink Tournament
4/8 Jack Sink Tournament
4/16 South Meck
4/20 Independence
4/23 @ Myers Park
4/27 @ Butler
4/30 East Meck
5/3 @ Ardrey Kell

South Meck
3/2 Charlotte Catholic
3/3 Waddell
3/9 @ Harding
3/11 West Meck
3/12 @ Ardrey Kell
3/16 Providence
3/23 @ Independence
3/26 Myers Park
3/30 Butler
4/1 East Meck
4/6 Jack Sink Tournament
4/7 Jack Sink Tournament
4/8 Jack Sink Tournament
4/13 Ardrey Kell
4/16 @ Providence
4/23 Independence
4/27 @ Myers Park
4/30 @ Butler
5/3 @ East Meck

 

Can't Wait for Spring

First, that MINCMI's previews keep getting better and better. That reads like something from Sports Illustrated. The Observer just needs to lift it and print it as is, with proper attribution, of course, to Scoop MINCMI. In fact, they have a weekly column by Larry Bosc about Meck. Cty soccer. Any talk about an MINCMI column every week in the paper?

Second, I can't wait for March 2nd to roll around. Showcase, Legion, and all the other forms of Summer/Fall ball are great, but there's nothing like the High School Baseball Season. Anybody got a fast forward button?

Third, Judging from the preview, the SW4A is going to be a dominant force once again this year. It never ceases to amaze me how much talent fills the rosters of these 7 teams. I know there's lots of quality baseball across NC, but as a conference the SW4A is like SEC football, the cream of the crop.

 

Simply awesome. mincmi, you out did yourself

 

Glad to see Coach Spencer will be back. I remembered reading about his situation last year amid the CMS budget cuts. That's good news for the Mustangs.

 

How it will shake out

Not sure anyone can get past AK. This really looks like it could be a season where everyone beats up on each other. Any team can beat anyone on a given night. Here is my guess.


1. AK
2. Myers Park
3. Providence
4. East Meck
5. Butler
6. South Meck
7. Independence