Tri-9 4A 2010

Wrote up a really nice summary of the conference. Insert computer crash here. Ugh. I'll just skip to the rankings.

1T. Green Hope and Athens Drive (no tie, AD first place. tied, gh wins championship)
2. Middle Creek
3. Holly Springs
4. Lee County
5. Apex
6. Fuquay-Varina
7. Panther Creek
8. Cary

I disagree with 3-3-3. I think this is the thickest the conference has been since the introduction of Panther Creek. Every game will be a good competition. There won't be any free wins in this conference this year. Its not 3-3-3, its 9.

Edit: Yes, I really am predicting another tie for the champ this year. Seems crazy, but i got a hunch. If its a coin toss well, thats a 50/50 chance so technically, Athens has a statistical advantage, but I'll give it to GH.

 

For the most part, I like your predicted rankings except for one thing that really sticks out.

Cary predicted dead last?

Not so sure I'd go there with that one. Recent years would suggest, but I can confidently say there's a breath of fresh air at CHS with the new coach and the way he has his guys prepared. They dominated every situation and aspect of their lone pre-season scrimmage. It was an undersized Cary Academy team, but they made a very good looking DI RHP signee look uncomfortable. Also, I do not remember a botched play or error and in a 35degree scrimmage, that's not common. I'd like to hear your reasoning for predicting Cary at the rock bottom of the league. If you suggest pitching is the reason, then I may agree. They have question marks there but their offense may just be electric enough to outweight their pitching weakness.

I do like the respect you have Athens. I think a lot of folks are overlooking their talent this year.

 

I really wasn't sure who will be most likely to be at the bottom. My basis for Cary being there would be the loss of Pilecki and Carr. Both were strong pitchers for Cary.. Sanchez and McKinney were both very good hitters last year, and the team did not have a good year, so their presence, despite becoming better, has little effect on their overall team, in my opinion.
Offensively, they look like they can swing the sticks. Should be plenty of home runs at their park this year. But I think they're pitching losses outweigh their offensive gains. Just my opinion.

But like I said, the conference isn't 3-3-3, its just 9. Cary could be last or 1st. Anyone in this conference could go to the play-offs and anyone in this conference can win it. But in that same regards, anyone can lose it.

 

Congrats to Holly Springs for winning the conference. Middle Creek and Lee County performed a bit better than I thought while Green Hope and Cary did not perform at the level I thought. If they survive the first round HS and GH would play the second round, that is just not fair for either team - BUT it's the playoffs.

1. HS
2. AD & MC (tie)
4. GH
5. LC
6. Apex
7. F-V
8. Cary
9. PC

 

Speaking on behalf of us at Cary... The W's didn't add up but I really feel like we made progress this season. You don't see it in the standings but you saw it on the field most nights (besides a butt kickin by FV once and by MC once).

Holly Springs, Conference Champ, beat us 5-4 in 8innings and 6-3 in another very close one. Were in position to win late in the 6-3 loss but Rodon (NCSU) was a bit too tough.

Green Hope, #4 and despite some struggles is still one of the top teams around. They got dealt a bad hand with injuries this spring. Pistacchio (App State) beat us twice... 4-1 and 2-0.. two more very close/tight games.

We beat MC on the road 6-1 and then got beat in a shootout at home, 16-7.

Athens, #2, beat us 2-0 and 5-1. The 5-1 game wasn't very close, but we were within striking distance late. We saw two very good pitchers in each game... Betts (Indiana with the 5-1 complete game win) and Chris Williams (junior, will pitch in college somewhere).

Yeah, still a lot of L's... But those familiar with the Tri-9 and Cary High baseball had to of noticed a boost in the product we put on the field this spring. Much more competitive. Attitudes and confidence changed for the better. The W's will follow, but you gotta take it step by step. Great first year by Coach Matt Warden.