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By John Nolan
Assistant Director of Scouting/Content Management 

As we enter February, the high school season is quickly approaching. As the month progresses and February turns into March, we will take a look at high school programs throughout our coverage area as they prepare for the 2016 season.

Team: Patrick County
Nickname: Cougars
Class: 3A West
Conference: 32 and the Piedmont District
Head Coach: Matt Mabe
2015 Record: 9-12
2015 Post Season: Conference Quarterfinals
Returning Starters/Position: 2
Returning Pitchers: 1

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Aubrey Hopkins: (C, 2016)
Eli Horton: (MIF, 2016) Horton is back for his fourth year as a starter for the Cougars.
Caleb Pendleton: (RHP, 2017)
Seth Scott: (OF/RHP, 2018) Scott has an athletic frame and earned 17 starts in 2015.
Austin Vernon: (3B/RHP, 2017) Vernon has a big, athletic frame and hit five home runs in 2015.
William Wood: (OF, 2018)

SEASON OUTLOOK
Patrick County is coming off of a solid 2015 season and will enter 2016 having to fill a lot of holes created by graduation. Seniors Hopkins and Horton will supply experience and anchor the middle of what should be a good Cougars defense with the help of athletic youngsters Scott and Wood in the outfield. Vernon will provide the thump for the Cougar lineup as Patrick County’s offense will rely on a lot of youth throughout the season. The rotation will be led by Pendleton and is also very young behind him. Patrick County has a talented team that will rely on their team speed and solid defense as the Cougars look to get to the 3A West Tournament in 2016.