High School Team Preview: No. 15 Byrd
February 7, 2017
Trey Sofio
Louisiana Scouting Director
Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will be posting high school team previews every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage:
Team: Byrd
Preseason Rank: No. 15
2016 Record: 19-10
District: 1-5A
LHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Greg Williams
Playoff Run: Semi-Finals
2016 Final Rank: 5
Returning Starters: N/A
Returning Pitchers: N/A
TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Steele Netterville, 3B/RHP, 2017 (Louisiana Tech)
Jonathan Fincher, LHP, 2017 (Louisiana Tech)
X-FACTOR
Louisiana Tech recruits, Jonathan Fincher and Steele Netterville, return in 2017 giving the Yellow Jackets two quality arms at the top of the rotation. Fincher attended the Top Prospect Games over the summer, running his fastball up to 86 mph in addition to spinning a quality breaking ball. Netterville has been a mainstay in the Byrd lineup the last few years, providing thump in the heart of the order, as well as, providing depth on the mound with his mid to upper-80s fastball.
OUTLOOK
The 2016 Byrd Yellow Jackets had a wildly successful season, running through the playoffs as the No. 11 seed, eventually coming up just short in the state championship to Barbe. The return of Netterville and Fincher from a team that reached the state championship, obviously creates high expectations for the 2017 season.
BOTTOM LINE
Coach Greg Williams has built a program that is consistently in the hunt for district and state championships. After an outstanding 2016 campaign that saw an impressive regular season record, culminating with a state championship appearance, the Yellow Jackets look to take that next step in 2017, ultimately returning to, and capturing the state championship. However, they will first have to take on district and area rival, Airline, who should also be strong in 2017.
SEASON COUNTDOWN
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