By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

4A North Regional

1-4A Conference

1. Prairie Grove HS: The Tigers may have a new coach but that shouldn’t slow this group down for competing for another conference title. They will be lead on the mound by 2016 RHP Shelby Gragg and 2016 RHP/OF Gavin Heltemes. A tough one two punch that should carry this group through. 
   
   
2. Shiloh Christian HS: Losing 2015 MIF Kord Offendbacher and 2016 MIF Luke Bandy was a big blowing to this program. However they should retool with a group of young players that are very talented. Upperclassmen to watch are 2016 LHP Gunner Gilbert and 2016 C Broderick Butler.
   
   
3. Pea Ridge HS: The defending conference champions, lost a lot to graduation. Tradition of good athletes that really compete make me believe Pea Ridge will be back in the hunt. Look for 2016 MIF Eric Hankins and 2018 C Jakota Sainsbury to be key contributors for this group.
   
   
4. Gravette HS:  Coach Hunt does a great job preparing his kids the right way. The Lions produces solid athletes year in and year out that he helps mold into a competitive unit. I expect nothing less in 2016, as they should make a regional again.

 

4-4A Conference

1. Ozark HS: A veteran group that had success last spring, advancing to the regional final. The experience from last year and the returning of several versatile athletes make this team a trendy pick to be very successful.
   
   
2. Dover HS: The Pirates will be led by two dynamic seniors. 2016 OF Luke Price is a power bat that most teams in any classification don’t have. They get back a talented RHP in 2016 Christian Ewing who should give them a true No. 1 to their pitching staff.
   
   
3. Pottsville HS: After taking a step back in the 2015 season, the Apaches look to compete again in the conference race. Their struggles in 2015 were mainly due to playing a predominately young roster. After another year of season under Coach McCrotty I expect a much more consistent group.
   
   
4. Baptist Preparatory: 2016 RHP/CIF Hayden Seay and 2016 OF Ryan Fielder will be a big part of the success the Eagles have this spring. Always a well prepared group that will compete hard. Look for them to do enough to get into the regional tournament.

 

Contenders

Huntsville: 2016 MIF Caleb Welchel will lead the Eagles this year. A new breathe of energy has been brought to the program with Rogers Heritage assistant Gregg Harris taking over the reins. Look for an improved group, I am just not sure they will make the strides necessary to crack the tradition of the top four.

Clinton: Another group that has too many questions than answers after losing a large senior class who won the 4-4A in 2015. 2018 Bryce Dodd is a player to watch on this roster, as the multi-sport athlete has a lot of upside.

Overall

This is an even region. I see the top seeds taking care of business and moving on to the state tournament. Prairie Grove, Shiloh Christian, Ozark and Dover all advance to the state tournament.

Pick

I am picking the Prairie Grove Tigers to when the 4A North Regional. They have two advanced arms and an athletic line up that should defend at a high level and be able to score enough to see them through the regional and make them competitive into the state tournament.

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