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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. Since we released 25-11 last week, this week we will reveal two teams per day until we get through the complete Power 25 on Friday. 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. 

The Cadets of Benedictine Collegiate Prep make their way into the rankings at the #4 spot. See the full preview on the VISAA Division I power.

#4 Benedictine Collegiate   

Benedictine is coming off of another solid season, finishing 24-8-1 and making yet another VISAA State Championship appearance. While their season ended at the hands of state champion Cape Henry Collegiate, the Cadets return in 2024 with plenty of firepower to get back in the driver’s seat of VISAA Division I. Benedictine will have to replace the losses of Daniel Lingle and Jagen Ratlief on the mound, but have plenty of upperclass talent to do so. Riley Roarty (VCU) and Jake Wise (William & Mary) should be the two premier arms for the Cadets, while Elijah Coston (VCU) and Eli Ranson (Hampden-Sydney) should provide quality depth behind those two. Ben Rossi (Mary Washington) did a nice job in 2023 handling that staff and returns in ‘24 to do the same. The positional depth and athleticism are abundant, but the loss of Terrence Rhodes’ offensive production will be tough to replace. Coston, Bryce Adams (NC A&T), Sam Kaczmarek (William & Mary), and Riley Roarty return to the lineup and should anchor that Cadet offense. A couple of names to know on the positional side are Khamari Veney, Will Blatt (Hampden-Sydney), Pierce Moten, Gavin Garland, Will Toland, and Colin Clarkson (Randolph-Macon). These are all players who have a chance to make an impact in the lineup at some point in 2024. Another question for the Cadets is who will replace Rhodes’ defense at shortstop? The answer to that question is still TBD, but look for Clarkson, Toland, and hopefully a healthy Easton Ogle will potentially be in the mix.

Final Thoughts:

"Benedictine lost a couple key pieces from last year, none bigger than Terrence Rhodes. Rhodes leaves their biggest void at arguably the most important position on the field, shortstop. If they can get anything close to the production that Rhodes brought, or simply someone to man the defensive portion of what Rhodes brought last season, then this could be a special team. Wise, Roarty, Ranson, and Coston bring plenty of arm talent. Adams is a dynamic bat that should play a bigger role this year and he could be the one that fills the offensive loss of Rhodes."

- Jason Burton (Virginia/DC Scouting Director)