By Jerry Shank
Maryland Director of Scouting

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Paint Branch

HEAD COACH: Tommy Rey

CONFERENCE:  4A North

2014 RECORD: 12-6

2014 FINISH: 2^nd   

RETURNING STARTERS: 7

TOP PLAYERS: 
Sam Stewart
TC Conrad
Steven VanderZwet
Bruce Pattishall
Dwayne Thomas
Dylan Van Meers

TEAM STRENGTHS
Paint Branch returns a wealth of experience to their starting lineup and rotation.  Pre-Season all-State player Sam Stewart heads up the team behind the plate.  Along with Stewart, the team returns the middle of their defense with CF TC Conrad, SS Bruce Pattishall, and 2B Dylan VanMeers.  The continuity in the middle should prove to be valuable to the team.  
Stephen VanderZwet, Pattishall, Conrad and Tommy Nicholson will head up the pitching staff in 2015. VanderZwet and Pattishall should anchor the rotation as the starters.  Pattishall, a 2016, is an interesting prospect to keep an eye on as the young man had a nice winter at workouts and showed some arm speed on the mound with good athletic ability.   

QUESTION MARK
Paint Branch has a great core of players but will need someone on the team to take a leadership role.  Stewart, Vanderzwet, Conrad and VanMeers are all seniors and could jump into the role based on their experience. 

WILDCARD
Patrick Vigna is a senior infielder that has had a great offseason for the Panthers and could have a very nice season for the team.  Nicholson, a junior, spent last year as the ace on the JV squad and also had a great fall season. 

OVERALL
Paint Branch could be a wildcard team this 2015 season.  They have a good core of returners with Stewart leading the way. For the first time in five years the program will get to play at their own home field after school construction and field renovations.  This should be a fun team to watch in 2015.