NCHSAA 4A Regionals Preview
May 24, 2022
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We are four rounds into the NCHSAA State Playoffs. Beginning today, the Regional Finals round will begin. The Regional Finals will be a best of three series with the first two games played on each school’s campus and the third game played either at the higher seed’s home field or at a neutral site.
Below we break down the NCHSAA 4A Regional Finals that will give us the State Championship Matchup.
4A West Regional Finals
T.C. Roberson vs. Providence
Schedule:
Game 1: Tuesday 5/24/22 at 6:30pm - TC Roberson at Providence
Game 2: Thursday 5/26/22 at 7:00pm - Providence at TC Roberson
Game 3: Saturday 5/28/22 at 6:30pm - TC Roberson at Providence (if necessary)
Providence Panthers’ Path to the Regionals
+ PBR Power 25 Rankings - No. 1
+ PBR/NCBCA 4A Poll Ranking - No. 1
+ Overall Record - 31-0
+ Conference Record - 12-0
+ Home Record - 17-0
+ Away Record - 13-0
+ Streak - 31 wins in a row
+ Southwestern 4A Conference Champion
+ Southwestern 4A Conference Tournament Champion
+ Playoff Path
- Rd 1 - 11-1 vs. Southeast Guilford HS
- Rd 2 - 12-2 vs. Southwest Guilford HS
- Rd 3 - 9-1 vs. South Meck HS
- Rd 4 - 4-3 vs. West Forsyth HS
+ Key Players to Know
+ PBR Scout Thoughts - Brandon Hall, Mid-ATL Dir of Scouting
The Panthers have been the most complete team of 2022. This does not mean they are invincible. Their 2nd game of the year required a 7 run comeback in the 7th to win. They have shown the ability to win tight games including the 4th round game vs. West Forsyth, but when you look at a majority of their scores, they are winning by 8+ runs per game. The pitching depth is real and they have multiple “Ace” type arms, led by Eli Jerzembeck. In order for TC Roberson to have a chance, they will need to control the Panther offense, an offense that likes to apply pressure by forcing an opponent to defend the entire width and length of the field. Roberson will attack with multiple arms in each game and has a history to match Providence at this stage in the tournament.
+ PBR Scout Thoughts - Matt Payne, NC Dir of Scouting
Going in to each year Providence seems to always be in the discussion to win a State Title and this year they have made it clear that to win it all you will have to beat them. Jerzembeck and Forret give them an outstanding 1-2 punch on the mound and they have trust in their bullpen to get outs when needed. Their offense seems to have a different guy with a big game each week. A few times teams have hung around in games with them but no one has been able to knock them out and TC will have to be solid in all phases of the game to be the first team to beat the Panthers.T.C. Roberson Rams’ Path to the Regionals
+ PBR Power 25 Rankings - Not Ranked
+ PBR/NCBCA 4A Poll Ranking - Not Ranked
+ Overall Record - 22-6
+ Conference Record - 10-2
+ Home Record - 12-1
+ Away Record - 7-4
+ Streak - 5 wins in a row
+ 2nd in Mountain West 3A/4A Conference
+ Playoff Path
- Rd 1 - 10-1 vs. Mooresville HS
- Rd 2 - 12-4 at Northwest Guilford HS
- Rd 3 - 11-5 vs. Marvin Ridge
- Rd 4 - 5-2 vs. Myers Park
+ Key Players to Know
+ PBR Scout Thoughts - Brandon Hall, Mid-ATL Dir of Scouting
The Rams lost their 1st two games of the year, to two good clubs, but a tough way to start the season. From there, an identity began to form as this club found its footing and figured out how they were (1) going to be competitive in 2022 and (2) how they were going to win in 2022. After the first two games they won their next 11, including against several teams that were in the mix for the PBR Power 25. The 2nd round win over No. 17 NW Guilford solidified in my mind the Rams believed in their process and their way to win in 2022. Look for Roberson to throw a bunch of arms at the Providence lineup, working to change looks and mix and match at key moments. As they keep the game close early, they will grow in confidence that they are right where they want to be, working to see if their offense can be the ones that apply pressure with their depth.
+ PBR Scout Thoughts - Matt Payne, NC Dir of Scouting
TC Roberson was overlooked early in the year, they lose both games the first week of the season and you look at their roster and think it may be more of a rebuilding year but here they are with a chance to win the West. Reno Jeter has been an impact guy for them and has taken has taken some of the offensive load off Nick Parham, Ben Hemphill and Haden Youngblood. Coach Filipek always seems put his guys in a spot to succeed and he has done that mixing and matching his pitching staff throughout the year. TC continues to be one of the most successful programs in Western NC.4A East Regional Finals
Fuquay-Varina vs. Pinecrest
Schedule:
Game 1: Tuesday 5/24/22 at 7pm - Fuquay-Varina at Pinecrest
Game 2: Thursday 5/26/22 at 7pm - Pinecrest at Fuquay-Varina
Game 3: Saturday 5/28/22 at 1pm - Fuquay-Varina at Pinecrest (if necessary)
Pinecrest Patriots’ Path to the Regionals
+ PBR Power 25 Rankings - No. 25
+ PBR/NCBCA 4A Poll Ranking - No. 5
+ Overall Record - 23-5
+ Conference Record - 10-2
+ Home Record - 15-2
+ Away Record - 6-1
+ Neutral Record - 2-2
+ Streak - 9 wins in a row
+ Sandhills 3A/4A Co-Conference Champion
+ Sandhills 3A/4A Conference Tournament Champion
+ Playoff Path
- Rd 1 - 8-1 vs. South View HS
- Rd 2 - 11-0 vs. Richmond Cty HS
- Rd 3 - 12-2 vs. Hoggard HS
- Rd 4 - 11-6 vs. Apex HS
+ Key Players to Know
+ PBR Scout Thoughts - Brandon Hall, Mid-ATL Dir of Scouting
High expectations have been met for the 2022 Pinecrest Patriots. The roster at the start of the year, had the makings of a team that could make a run, and they have made that run. Not that they are playing with house money now, but I have been very impressed with the maturity this club has played with in the tournament. Credit a schedule that was challenging and took this team out of their comfort zone several times. The Patriots have a line up that can pile up runs, but lately it has been the depth on the mound that has taken a big step forward. Pinecrest does not have to match Fuquay on the bump but early zeroes in each game could allow the offense to settle in and hang a big number in one inning.
+ PBR Scout Thoughts - Matt Payne, NC Dir of Scouting
Pinecrest has been dominant in the first 4 rounds. They pitch good enough to win a 1-run game and have the offensive fire power to pour it on early and blow you out. Their roster got a taste of big playoff games last year and after playing a tough regular season schedule they look prepared to win big games. I'm sure their place will be packed for game 1 as they look to defeat the defending 4A Champs.Fuquay-Varina Bengals’ Path to the Regionals
+ PBR Power 25 Rankings - No. 9
+ PBR/NCBCA 4A Poll Ranking - No. 7
+ Overall Record - 21-7
+ Conference Record - 10-4
+ Home Record - 10-3
+ Away Record - 10-4
+ Neutral Record - 1-0
+ Streak - 4 wins in a row
+ Tied for 2nd in the Greater Neuse 4A Conference
+ Playoff Path
- Rd 1 - 4-3 vs. Clayton HS
- Rd 2 - 9-6 vs. Middle Creek HS
- Rd 3 - 16-6 vs. Chapel Hill HS
- Rd 4 - 12-2 vs. Topsail
+ Key Players to Know
+ PBR Scout Thoughts - Brandon Hall, Mid-ATL Dir of Scouting
The Bengals chances to repeat may have taken a big hit early in the state playoffs when ace Jackson Humphries was pulled with a potential injury. Credit the Bengals, and their championship resolve, to find ways to get through the first couple of rounds, working to figure out how they would attack their opponents. The depth on the mound that was once untouchable by anyone else, has fallen to above average, but that is enough to make the run again in 2022. As the pitching staff plan has been re-worked, the offense has taken a big step forward. They may have to out hit Pinecrest at some point, but the pitching plan should be solidified now, giving the Bengals a chance to trust their path back to the State Championships.
+ PBR Scout Thoughts - Matt Payne, NC Dir of Scouting
It's late in the playoffs and once again Fuquay-Varina is still playing. They were all but beat in round 1 but found a way to win, then they go on the road to beat a very talented Middle Creek club and have won big the last 2 rounds. They have a deep lineup that doesn't allow opposing staffs any innings to cruise through and plenty of arms to go to throughout the game. With their past playoff successes and surviving the early rounds the Bengals are confident they can win the East again.