2022 MPSSAA 3A Season Preview
March 22, 2022
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Our 2022 Season Preview continues today with our preview of the MPSSAA 3A in Maryland. We will dive into key players and prospects to watch, as well as make our predictions on who we believe will win each region.
MIAA "A" Conference Preview Part 1
MIAA "A" Conference Preview Part 2
MIAA "B" Conference Preview
WCAC Preview
IAC Preview
Lets take a look into the 3A…
2021 Recap
Last year, we saw Atholton (12-3) go up against Chopticon (12-1) in the State Championship game and it was nothing short of a thriller. Atholton got up early, scoring two in the first off of standout two-way Shawn Cameron. Cameron was pulled in the first, giving the ball to Senior Shane Smith. Smith got out of the jam unscathed, striking out the side and proceeding to retire 15 of the next 18 batters faced. Chopticon fought back, scoring two of their own in the first, highlighted by a Demetri Jamison two-out RBI triple. In the second inning, Brandon Mills knocked an RBI single, scoring what would be the game winner. Chopticon scratched one more in the fifth, and came out on top 4-2 after a stellar performance by their Senior reliever.
This season, the 3A classification has a ton of parity and there are a plethora of teams that we believe have a real shot to make a serious run for the state title. In our Preseason Power 25, we have five 3A schools in our rankings, with Stephen Decatur headlining the list as our number one team.
2022 Preview
Players to Watch
| Player | Position | High School | Year |
| Alex Craig | RHP/OF | Crofton | 2023 |
| Andre Hockaday | C/INF | Oxon Hill | 2022 |
| Ben Davis | C | Reservoir | 2022 |
| Ben Moore | LHP | Linganore | 2022 |
| Bryce Curry | SS | Damascus | 2022 |
| Caden Shockley | OF | Stephen Decatur | 2024 |
| Cadeyrn Ahearn | RHP/1B | Centennial | 2024 |
| Cam Love | LHP | Damascus | 2022 |
| Chase Supensky | LHP | Towson | 2022 |
| Clayton Dorsey | MIF | Westminster | 2024 |
| Dalton Blades | RHP | Stephen Decatur | 2024 |
| Danny Orr | MIF | Thomas Johnson | 2024 |
| Darin Kuskie | RHP | Damascus | 2023 |
| Diego Carrion | SS | Atholton | 2023 |
| Dillon Adkins | OF/LHP | Chopticon | 2025 |
| Evan Smith | LHP | Huntingtown | 2023 |
| Henry Ortiz | RHP/OF | North Hagerstown | 2024 |
| Howard (Allen) Miller Jr | RHP/INF | Chopticon | 2022 |
| Hunter St. Denis | RHP/CIF | Magruder | 2024 |
| Jai Sample | RHP/SS | James M. Bennett | 2023 |
| Jake Garrett | LHP | Damascus | 2022 |
| Joe Pippin | RHP/MIF | Oakdale | 2022 |
| Jonathan Klein | LHP/OF | C. Milton Wright | 2022 |
| Jordan Peguese | RHP/INF | Reservoir | 2022 |
| Kade Linton | C/1B | Tuscarora | 2022 |
| Kydese Queen | RHP/3B | St. Charles | 2023 |
| Kyle Sanger | OF | Tuscarora | 2022 |
| Logan Tapman | RHP | Stephen Decatur | 2022 |
| Lucas Frezza | SS | C. Milton Wright | 2022 |
| Maximo Scurti | RHP/OF | C. Milton Wright | 2022 |
| Nick Karls | RHP/SS | Chesapeake-AA | 2022 |
| Nick Miller | C | Oakdale | 2024 |
| Qwynn Ahearn | C | Centennial | 2023 |
| Ryan DeSanto | LHP | Tuscarora | 2022 |
| Ryan McLaughlin | RHP/SS | Stephen Decatur | 2023 |
| Scott Vaszil | UTL | Atholton | 2023 |
| Sean Deaner | CIF | Aberdeen | 2022 |
| Shawn Rosemond | LHP/1B | Stephen Decatur | 2022 |
| Tariq Talley | UTL | Towson | 2022 |
Region Breakdown
3A West
| Region I | Region II |
| Frederick | Damascus |
| Linganore | Kennedy |
| Oakdale | Magruder |
| Thomas Johnson | Rockville |
| Tuscarora | Springbrook |
| North Hagerstown | Watkins Mill |
| South Hagerstown |
Notes
The 3A West Region I looks to have a ton of parity throughout, with numerous teams vying for a Region title and beyond. Thomas Johnson looks to have one of the deepest rosters across Region I, with younger, experienced players chomping at the bit with the likes of Danny Orr and Jacob Hnath. Senior two-way Jay Parente will look to take over leadership for the Patriots, which will bode well as the season progresses... Oakdale will be intriguing all season, with catcher Nick Miller, two-way standout Joe Pippin (Frostburg State), and two-way Britton Wildasin leading the way... Tuscarora returns lefty Ryan DeSanto (St. Joseph's), with the likes of Kade Linton (Wilson) and Kyle Sanger (Barton) adding depth at the dish... Linganore graduated two of their top arms from a year ago, but return left-handed pitcher Ben Moore (Old Dominion) who looks to be one of the more dominate arms across the Old Line State in 2022... Junior Dylan Shoemaker and Sophomore righty Henry Ortiz will look to lead North Hagerstown, however we believe they are still a year away from real contention. With the depth that Thomas Johnson possesses, we are picking them to avenge their Regional final loss just a year ago.
Region II in our eyes will come down to Damascus and Magruder. Both squads return key players from a year ago, with depth on both sides of the ball. Damascus will look to repeat as Regional champions, led by Seniors shortstop Bryce Curry (Frostburg State) and left-handed pitchers Cam Love (Virginia Wesleyan) and Jake Garrett (Davis & Elkins). Look for a big season as well from uncommitted right-handed pitcher Darin Kuskie... Magruder returns key pieces on both sides of the ball, with a plethora of younger players, led by Hunter St. Denis and Terrion Pettus looking to add depth throughout the lineup. Rockville will be young this year, as they graduate a ton of key pieces, but look for them to stay competitive throughout the season. We're going to go with Damascus to repeat, as the depth and Senior leadership should lead the Swarmin' Hornets all year long.
Top 4
1. Damascus
2. Thomas Johnson
3. Oakdale
4. Magruder
3A North
| Region I | Region II |
| City | Aberdeen |
| Digital Harbor | Bel Air |
| Franklin | C. Milton Wright |
| Poly | Edgewood |
| Towson | Kenwood |
| Woodlawn | Patapsco |
Notes
Region I looks to be led by the Towson Generals once again in 2022. The depth and Senior leadership throughout the roster will be something special to watch all season long, led by the likes of Seniors Chase Supensky (Wilson), Justin Mealey, Ryan Boice, and Tariq Talley. Another key piece to keep eyes on this season for the Generals is Sophomore Aziz Bishop, who looks poised for a big season for Head Coach Shawn Tormey. City and Poly have been competitive over the past few years, and look for more of the same this season, however we look for Towson to roll through the region.
Region II looks to be led by C. Milton Wright, who are extremely motivated after a shocking loss to Kenwood in the region championship a year ago. The roster is deep on both sides of the ball, with Seniors Maximo Scurti (Salisbury) and Jonathan Klein (Lebanon Valley) leading the Mustangs on the bump. Look for big seasons from Lucas Frezza (Salisbury), Jonathan Hanifee, Klein, and Scurti at the dish, with depth provided by Ryan Niedzialkowski and Ryan Childress... Bel Air looks to make it tough on C Milton Wright, with a roster that features depth from their upperclassmen and leadership throughout. Will Bel Air upset the Mustangs this year? Or will Senior Sean Deaner lead Aberdeen to another upset win as they did to Bel Air last year in the regional quarterfinals? Only time will tell, but we are sticking with the Mustangs to roll through the region for now.
Top 4
1. C. Milton Wright
2. Bel Air
3. Towson
4. Aberdeen
3A South
| Region I | Region II |
| Chopticon | Chesapeake-AA |
| Great Mills | Crofton |
| Huntingtown | James M. Bennett |
| Northern (Cal.) | Northeast-AA |
| St. Charles | Oxon Hill |
| Stephen Decatur |
Notes
Chopticon looks to repeat this season and roll through Region I as they did last year. The defending 3A State Champions lose some key pieces on both sides of the ball, but return Howard (Allen) Miller Jr (Shepherd), Davey Reynolds and Tristan Davis who look to take over the leadership in 2022. The Braves also add Freshman two-way standout Dillon Adkins (Tennessee) who should undoubtedly have a huge season on both sides of the ball... Don't sleep on St. Charles to give Chopticon all they can handle this season, as we look for Junior two-way Kydese Queen (Norfolk State) to have a breakout year for the Spartans... Huntingtown should also be in the running this season, after a down year in 2021. Junior lefty Evan Smith had a strong offseason, and we look for him to lead the Hurricanes on the bump, with Logan Hastings and Conner Wilkerson providing some thump at the dish. The experience and underclassmen talent should bode well and make the difference for Chopticon, so we're picking them to repeat in 2022.
Region II for the 3A South is one of the deepest regions across 3A, with talent spread out across the board. The undoubtedly favorite is Stephen Decatur. The Seahawks are rich in arms, with one of, if not the deepest and most talented rotation across the entire state, led by the likes of Logan Tapman (Lynchburg), Shawn Rosemond (Salisbury), Dalton Blades and Ryan McLaughlin. Offensively, Rosemond and McLaughlin look to be leaders at the dish, with depth provided by Owen Knerr, Jack Quisgard and Ashten Snelsire... James M. Bennett has a slew of talented players on both sides of the ball, led by two-way standout Jai Sample. Look for Jayden Dillard and Colby Dailey to provide depth at the dish, with Dillard adding some valuable innings on the bump... Nick Karls (Morehead State), Noah Bowerman, and Cam Sisson look to provide depth on the bump for Chesapeak-AA, with Karls leading the way at the dish... Crofton enters their first varsity season, led by uncommitted Junior Alex Craig. With an abundance of talent throughout the region, it should be a fun year to watch the 3A South; however, look for Stephen Decatur to utilize their arms to find consistent success.
Top 4
1. Stephen Decatur
2. Chopticon
3. James M. Bennett
4. St. Charles
3A East
| Region I | Region II |
| Centennial | Atholton |
| Howard |
Long Reach |
| Manchester Valley |
Reservoir |
| Marriotts Ridge |
River Hill |
| Mount Hebron |
Wilde Lake |
| Westminster |
Notes
With Howard moving into the 3A Classification (Moving from 4A), the 3A East Region I becomes much more competitive at the top. Centennial won the region title a year ago, but lose some key pieces entering 2022. Brothers Qwynn Ahearn and Cadeyrn Ahearn look to lead the Eagles back to a regional championship, providing consistency on both sides of the ball... Howard showcases a ton of depth on both sides, led by the likes of two-way Nathan Black, righty Sean Dawes, and an intriguing utlity player in Thor Nystrom... Westminster will be led by Sophomore standout Clayton Dorsey, with Marriotts Ridge showcasing some depth with the likes of Chase Kamerman and Jack Coughlin... Look for Mount Hebron to be competitive this season, led by Mike Brogno Jr and Jacob Berger. In our eyes, it's still too soon to tell how this region will play out, but for the sake of picking a region winner, we'll go with Centennial led by the Ahearn brothers.
In Region II, Long Reach, led by Aidan West (North Carolina State) and Jackson Tennant will be an exciting team to keep tabs on, however we believe are still a year or two out from making some serious noise... Wilde Lake will be in the same conversation, as Peter Keating and Brady McGonigal will be fun to watch, however the experience and depth are a little too light compared to the other three big horses in this race... That leaves us with defending regional champion and 3A State runner-up Atholton, Reservoir, and River Hill vying for the region title in 2022. Atholton will be intriguing to watch, returning a plethora of arms with the likes of Kurtis Mackenzie, Jason Drucker and Liam Snow. Look for breakout seasons from Scott Vaszil and Diego Carrion at the dish... Reservoir returns Senior standout Jordan Peguese (UMBC) and Junior Jack Lloyd on the bump, with depth at the plate led by Ben Davis (McDaniel) and Peguese... River Hill is interesting and should be able to put a ton of runs up on the board, with the likes of Riley Finkelston, Demetre Koutras, and Eje Okojie leading the way at the dish. Okojie and Sophomore Henry Zatkowski will lead the rotation, with depth provided by some of the younger players on the roster. This region will come down to experience and depth to see who comes out on top, so we'll go with Reservoir to get the job done.
Top 4
1. Centennial
2. Reservoir
3. Howard
4. River Hill