By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

3A Region 4

3A-7

1. Horatio High School: The Lions return a majority of the roster who made a run to the state semi-finals. This group includes three seniors who should be key contributors. 2016 RHP Hunter Lansdell, 2016 RHP Tanner Vaught and 2016 C/OF/RHP Cole Boyd. All three carry the majority of the innings on the mound and are capable of winning big games. Boyd is one of the better pure hitters in all classification, and he should anchor the lineup in the middle of the order.
2. Genoa Central High School: The Dragons will look to continue their recent run of success in 2016. On the mound they will be led by 2016 RHP Justin Swecker. Swecker possess a mid-80’s fastball with a solid slider. He should give them a chance to win every night out. Offensively they will lean on 2017 OF Tyler Moreland, one of the more physically gifted players in any classification. If Moreland can put it all together this spring he is talented enough to carry them offensively.
3. Fouke High School: A young group that will receive a majority of their production from underclassmen. Names to know 2018 RHP Jonah Parker, 2018 Cameron Rawlinson and 2019 C Gabe Parker.
4. Prescott High School: Prescott returns some of the lineup that upset Smackover in the Regional tournament in 2015. They will find a way to get in again in 2016 and will be dangerous again. A key contributor should be infielder Tyler Rucker

3A-8

1. Fordyce High School: The Redbugs return their top two pitchers from the 2015 State Runner-Up finish. 2016 RHP Tommy Tidwell and 2016 RHP Ross Rogers give this group a 1-2 punch that most schools will not have. A consistent contender not only for the regional but for the state championship, 2016 shouldn’t be any different.
2. Smackover High School: A group that lost a lot to graduation. A new coach and new outlook have the Buckaroos looking optimistic for 2016. Key contributors should be 2016 C KeAndre Purifoy and 2017 INF/RHP Beau Burson. Purifoy will be the best catcher in the reason and a middle of the order bat to be feared.
3. McGee High School: A solid group of athletes that will find a way to earn a spot into the regional. I will not be surprised if a young player or two jumps into the lineup and becomes a key contributor.
4. Camden Harmony Grove: A fundamentally sound group that won’t beat themselves, making the routine on a consistent basis and throwing strikes. Teams will have to match that if they want to take that final spot into the regional.

Overall

I look for this to be an even region that should split with the top two teams advancing from both regions. The top two teams have players that should be able to carry the load in big games if they receive support from the role players.

Pick

I am picking the Lions of Horatio High School to win this regional. Coach Lance Spigner has his group in contention year in and year out. This group has more talent than most years, so I expect them to win in 2016. Fordyce will be a tough out, I just feel the depth of the Lions line up will help them prevail.