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For the next two weeks we will roll out our Preseason Power 25. Three staff members voted on their version of the thirty best teams in the Preseason Power 25, with a possibility of 90 total vote points for each team. We will release three teams per day for the first week and then move to two teams per day once we reach the Top 10 next week. Voting for preseason teams centers more around the depth of talent on that team, as well as where it stacks up within their region/area, as opposed to strictly predicting schedule outcomes. 

Generally, larger schools and classifications have a greater depth of player talent on roster. However, once the season begins and records begin to take shape, the Power 25 will be adjusted as needed. In addition to that, we will debut our Private School Top 10 around April 1st and Small School Top 10 around mid-April. 

And once again, we go back to the 757 for another Power 25 team. The Western Branch Bruins are your defending Region 6A champions and they return a large majority of that championship team from last year.

#12 Western Branch     

The Bruins are back after winning the regional championship last season. While they lost super senior Nic Poole (JMU), they return the vast majority of their lineup. They are as talented and deep as they have been and will be a tough out in 2024. Coach Wright is one of the best to do it and will have these guys prepared heading into the season. Strong point for this team: offensive depth and versatility. Question mark: quality depth on the mound. Gavin Biernot (VMI) and Payton Tone are the best arms on this staff and have the experience, leadership, and stuff to take them to the top. An interesting name to know that could potentially help this staff is junior left hander Miles Melescu. The Wright twins (Jacob and Joshua), Markise Smith, Seth Sadler, Logan Adams, Parker Coyle, and Tone are all strong points in this deep and talented lineup.

Final Thoughts:

"Well coached, disciplined, and experienced. This group plays together twelve months of the year and it shows. While they don't have a power arm, Biernot is a guy where when he takes the mound, you know what you are going to get. Competes, moves it in and out, and changes speeds. Tone may shape up as a back end shut down guy who has shown some explosive stuff. The offense is deep and scrappy. They have versatility in the lineup, but losing Nic Poole to graduation leaves an void at the top with his ability to impact the baseball and swipe bags. Overall, they may be one of the deepest and toughest lineups to navigate in the state because they do not take at bats off."

- Jason Burton (Virginia/DC Scouting Director)