Andy Urban 
Oklahoma State Director
Follow @PBR_Oklahoma 

In a desire to best cover high school baseball in the state, PBR Oklahoma will be on the road this winter stopping by the practices and gathering information from teams around the state, highlighting top performers and difference makers for each club. Today, PBR Oklahoma will take an in-deep look at the 2017 Blanchard Lions.

Team: Blanchard
Nickname: Lions
Class: 4A
Head Coach: Josh Raney
Years as head coach at school: 9
2016 Overall Record: 27-8-1 
2016 Post­ Season Finish: Semi Finals of State
2017  Preseason Rank: Will be update upon release 

Players to Watch
Aaron Brooks, RHP, 2017 (Oklahoma)
Brett Owen, SS, 2017 (Seminole State)
Cade Stephens, C, 2017 (Arkansas Little Rock)
Joseph Craig, OF, 2017 (Seminole State)
L.J. McDonough, RHP, 2018
Rowdy Steelman, RHP, 2018

Season Outlook
The 2017 Blanchard Lions will look to reload this year and make another run at a state championship. The Lions return five starting position players and three pitchers with over 15 innings each from last year. Blanchard will also have plenty of new faces that could make big impacts this spring.

On the mound, Oklahoma commit Aaron Brooks will lead the way with an upper 80s fastball and an excellent breaking ball. Joining Brooks in the rotation will likely be will be juniors right-handers L.J. McDonough and Rowdy Steelman, Camden Cooper and Marc Parks. Senior Christian Ballard will also be in the mix to thrown big innings for the Lions.

Offensively, Blanchard will show both high end speed and big pop. Seminole State commit Brett Owen, one of the best runners in OK’s 2017 class, will likely be towards the top of the lineup. Fellow Seminole State commit Joseph Craig and Arkansas Little Rock commit Cade Stephens will supply plenty of power in the middle of the order. Sophomore newcomers Colby Reed, Ty Vanmeter, and Jack Kiker could also make important contributions offensively. Athletic freshman Bryce Madron may be poised to have a breakout year as well.

Defensively, Owen will again lead the way with excellent range and good hands at shortstop. Joining Owen on the infield could be sophomore Callen Galloway. Craig will bring some senior leadership to the outfield along with his strong arm, and Stephens will do the same from behind the plate.

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