Preseason Prediction Review: 7A-5A

May 14, 2015

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

Here is a look back at my Preseason predictions on February 27th, and just a couple of thoughts before the action starts this morning with some state tournaments having action as early as 10:00 AM.

7A
Pick: Coming off a State Championship runner-up finish in 2014, Fayetteville High School is my pick to win it all in 2015. On the mound they are led by three senior right-handers John Boushelle (Kansas State), Cody Davenport (Central Arkansas) and Andy Pagnozzi (Ole Miss). Combine that with Junior Lefties Thomas Broyles and Joey Savin, they should be talented and deep on the mound. Offensively they will be led by two Arkansas commits in SS Drew Tyler and C Grant Koch. Look for underclassmen Blake Koch and Sam Willis to add depth to the rest of the lineup.

Challengers: Bryant High School and Heritage High School both have the pitching depth to make runs deep into the state tournament. Bryant has experience winning, they have won three of the past five state titles. Heritage has the Kacey Murphy, Ty Harris one combination on the mound. That combination alone will make them a tough out.

Under the Radar: Har-Ber High School is my surprise pick of the 2015 season. They may not have had the consistent success of the three other teams but talent they are not short on. LHP Weston Rogers can anchor the staff and on the right night, can be as good as anyone in the state. After Rogers the Wildcat staff is unproven, if they can find consistency out of young arms their veteran position players may have enough to carry them through in Coach Ron Bradley’s first season at the helm.

Review: Ok. So far so good, all teams mentioned, did make the state tournament. First flaw in my prediction Bryant HS and Heritage HS play each other in the first round. Second flaw, I under estimated the young talent from Conway HS, Cabot HS and Bentonville HS. All of these teams are set up with an advantage by receiving a bye through the first round. 2018 LHP Jordan Wicks has stabilized a banged up rotation enough for Conway to hit their way through, to win the 7A central. 2016 RHP Kasey Ford has been one of the top arms in the 7A west helping earn the 2 seed. While Cabot has used a handful of talented young arms to pitch their way through the 7A east. Overall I stand by my pick in the 7A the Fayetteville Purple Dogs.

6A
Pick: Benton High School is my pick to when the 6A state title. They are led by strong junior class with a heavy dose of left-handed pitching including Chase Nix to hold down the top of the rotation. Offensively they should be paced by senior MIF/RHP Drew Harris, couple that with the pop of OF Colten Nix and Brinson Williams, should make the Panthers potent on offense.

Challengers: The 6A classification is somewhat predictable with a similar story line each year with Arkansas HS, Eldorado HS, Jonesboro HS, and Sheridan HS, finding ways to be in semi-finals on a consistent bases. All four teams will have to rely on big production from their underclassmen if they are going to challenge.

Review: Overall happy with the 6A picks, all teams are in the 6A State Tournament. 3 of the 5 mentioned received a bye. The biggest flaw I see is not picking Russellville as a contender. The Cyclones are the defending 6A State Champions and should make it back to the semi-finals with 2015 RHP Mark Moyer throwing game one for them. After a bye will put Russellville one win away from Baum Stadium. I will stand by my pick of the Benton High School Panthers to win the 6A state title.

5A
Pick: White Hall High School. White Hall is the 5A defending state champion. They look to have enough back to put them back at the top again. They return Seniors RHP Daniel Sprinkle (Auburn), and RHP Antione Luster on the mound. Compliment that with juniors Caleb Carr and Cade Canada they have more depth and experience than anyone else in their classification. Kirk Baugh and Carr will pace the offense.

Challenger: Greenbrier HS and Jacksonville HS should are two teams White Hall should look out for. Greenbrier has a solid mix of senior leadership and young talent. Offensively they will be led by senior OF Josh Dollarhide (Crowder College). On the mound they will look to Sophomore LHP Hunter Milligan to win big games. The 6-foot 4 lefty has committed to Mississippi St. Jacksonville experience is key as they may start 9 seniors. On the mound they will go with right handers Dereck StClair (Arkansas Baptist) and RHP James Tucker. That has been the case the past since 2013 no need to change now. Offensively they will be paced by MIF Ryan Mallison (Connors State), OF Courtland McDonald (Southern Arkansas) and C Greg Jones .

Under the Radar: Nettleton HS is a team that could be scary in single elimination play with senior RHP Mason Gibson ( Three Rivers CC) and left handed hitting junior first basemen Jordan Volner hitting in the middle of the lineup. Gibson has frontline stuff while Volner is one of the top power bats in the state.

Review: Average picks in the 5A classification. Yes all four teams made the state tournament, however Jacksonville is the only one of them to win their conference. Greenbrier HS, Nettleton HS and White Hall all entered the tournament as four seeds. Greenbrier has had to deal with several injuries hampering what could have been, Nettleton has been solid, but has yet to have another solid starter after Gibson. White Hall finished 4^th in the south in 2014, so I will stick with my pick in the 5A with the White Hall HS Bulldogs to win it all.

Preseason Prediction Review: 7A-5A

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