Team Preview: Southside High School
January 27, 2017
By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director
The 2017 season is rapidly approaching. As we get closer to season, I begin my preview of each team and stories that will affect the overall results of the high school season, and who will ultimately end their season in Baum Stadium on the campus of the University of Arkansas. We will finish our coverage of the 7A Central with a preview of Southside High School.
In 2016 Southside ended their season in the 7A State Tournament losing to Central High School 6-1. The may be an intriguing match up again in 2017 as the Mavericks look to land one of the 6 bids to the 7A State Tournament in 2017.
On The Mound
2016 was a year to break in a new pitching staff for the Mavericks. Hopefully 2017 they will reap the rewards from handing the ball to the youngsters last spring. They return 6 of their 7 pitchers in innings pitched in 2016. Look for 2017 RHP Ryan Horn to led this staff out of the No. 1 slot followed by a bevy of arms that garnered experience last year. A reliever to watch 2018 RHP Stratton Whittington, as he pitches from a side-arm slot and has the ability induce groundballs at a high rate, he may be a key in getting the pitching staff out of jams.
Offensively
2017 OF Kinner Brasher will be the name to for this group offensively. Brasher is a dynamic athlete that makes consistent hard contact and has the speed to create offensive once on base. 2018 Jake Melton, 2018 Brock Thibodeaux, 2017 Dylan Bryant, and 2017 Weston Phillips, are some of the players around Brasher to know as the season moves forward.
Overall
The Mavericks will make the transition from the 7A west to the 7A Central. They will compete for one of the 6 spots, I don’t see they have enough frontline arms to compete for the conference title but I expect them to compete for a spot in the state tournament until the very end.