As we prepare for our 2014 high school preseason coverage, we are going to take a quick glance at teams from across the state.

Team: Pickerington North HS
Class: DI
League: OCC - Ohio Division
Head Coach: Tim Thomas
2013 Overall Record: 25-5
2013 Conference Record: 12-2
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 3

TOP PLAYERS 
Justin Childers, IF/RHP, 2014 ... Committed to Northern Kentucky
Hayden Ballog, IF, 2014
Jake Edwards, RHP/IF, 2014
Colin Anderson, IF/C, 2014
Logan Giddings, 1B/OF/RHP, 2015
Brendan Green, UTL, 2015
Derek Herd, IF/RHP, 2015
Michael Pagano, C, 2015

YOUNG UP AND COMERS
Trezden Johnson, OF, 2016
Kobe Rush, RHP/IF, 2016

OUTLOOK:  

There may not be a team in Central Ohio that lost more talent from their 2013 graduating class than Pickerington North. Coach Thomas is left to fill the holes left by catcher Matt Poland (Dayton recruit), outfielder Tyler Pagano (Oakland recruit), outfielder Ryan Miller (Miami recruit), and more. Fortunately for the Panthers, junior Logan Giddings, who emerged as the top pitcher last season, is back to provide consistency at the top of the rotation and a middle of the order bat. Seniors Justin Childers (NKU recruit) and Hayden Ballog will be key to the team's offensive production. Keep an eye out for several young players to emerge, including sophomores Trezden Johnson and Kobe Rush.

For Ohio high school baseball news and updates follow us on Twitter @pbr_ohio

COACHES PRE-SEASON QUESTIONNAIRE

We appreciate the strong response so far from high school coaches across the state assisting with our pre-season coverage.  If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches pre-season questionnaire online by clicking here.