top teams in the west for 06

Don't know enough about all of them, but here's what I do know. In the 3A part of the conference, you have to consider Hickory the favorite. They lost a couple of key players (Harrow and Boyd), but return a very solid lineup. They should be solid up the middle (Derik Bolick) and behind the plate (Greg Baker). Ben Gibbs returns from an outstanding season on the hill to anchor the pitching staff. They will be bolstered by the return of LHP Clay Smith (State Games performer despite sitting out the high school season due to injury). As always, Coach Craft will have them ready to play.

Fred T Foard has enough pitching (Ben Lilly, Trent Rothlin, Aaron King, and Andrew Wyant) to stay in most any game. They are very solid behind the plate with 4 year starter Brian Dice. Other than that, there are a lot of questions defensively and hitting. Foard is trying to break it's string of underachieving play. Could this be the year?

St. Stephens will probably be third out of this bunch. They will go as far as Patrick Johnson's arm will carry them. John Daly is solid in the field and makes contact at the plate. Cory Bowman may surprise some on the mound this year. He had a couple of good outings in Legion last summer.

On the 2A side, it looks like Maiden, Bunker Hill, and Newton will be down some. Not really sure about Bandys. I think they may be young, but no doubt they will be competitive. Always a good squad and well coached.

I know nothing about Hibriten or West Caldwell. Maybe someone else can fill in those blanks.

 

You said it correctly in that conference. Hickory has to be the favorite led by junior Derek Boliek (MIF, 3B) who led the team in hitting last year with a .459 average and 30 RBI's and has a great glove. They return two good junior pitchers being Ben Gibbs and Greg Baker and senior Clay Smith returns this year after sitting out because of a torn ACL. Smith was Hickory's ace his sophomore year.

Fred T. Foard has a solid pitching staff and should finish second in the conference and then Saint Stephens should finish close behind them led by junior Patrick Johnson.
The 2A part of this conference is not going to be the strongest teams and will not be able to contend with the 3A teams very often. There should be a good battle between the 2A teams though, no doubt.

 

baseballman123......thanks for the spell check on Derek's name.

 

from what i gather, talent wise hickory and foard should be pretty equal, may come down to who wants it most and coaching.

 

Take it easy

Mudcat remember we invited you guys down for the preseason scrimmage, so take it easy on us. Okay? We'll have whatever type of Hotdogs necessary, and plenty of Diet Coke.

 

Uh, oh!

 

Mudcat is an original sandbagger...you better move your fences back when they come to town.

 

Yep..this should get some responses

 

Advantage Hickory

Based on this, I would have to give the edge to Hickory.

 

Hickory would have to have the advantage especially after going to the Final Four last year. Yes they lost a big player being Wilson Boyd, but I think they can deal with the loss of him. Foard also struggled majorly with the bats last year and had trouble putting runs across. Look for Boliek to come up big along with Ben Gibbs, Greg Baker, and Clay Smith to round out the pitching staff.