Follow @PBRVirginiaDC 
Facebook + Instagram

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. 

After Highland School had an up and down 2023, the Hawks are back and looking to reclaim their VISAA Division II crown. See the full story on the #5 ranked Hawks.

#5 Highland School   

Highland had an up and down 2023 that included a big defeat of nationally ranked Oceanside Collegiate (SC). Shortly after that, the Hawks lost staff ace Brennen Card (William & Mary) for the year, but the left hander is back and ready to take Highland back to the top in 2024. In addition to Card, the Hawks should get big contributions from Stephen Christopher and Weston Lillard, both of whom are committed to Virginia Tech. Those three would be enough to push Highland to the top of the title contenders list, but when you add in a healthy Braedy Peck (Maryland), they have more talent depth on their staff than basically every other staff in the state. Oh, throw in Kehler Hamilton (Elon) on the back end of games to close the door. Gonna be a tough staff to beat. The offensive firepower is there to give that staff plenty of run support. The lineup is headlined by ECU commit Luke Craddock and accompanied by Hamilton, Joey Rogers (Coll. of Charleston), and a slew of uncommitted bats. Justin Summers, Brooks Graham, Danny Farrell, and Benjamin Cardone should be high follows this spring, as they will more than likely play big roles for the 2024 Highland Hawks.

Final Thoughts:

"I think the biggest missing piece from that team was Brennen Card. Card brings a certainty consistency to the mound that seems to take this Highland team to another level. With him back, a healhty Braedy Peck, and the quality depth they have behind them, this team has big arm talent. While there arm talent is strong, the offensive talent is equally as impressive. If their complimentary arms, that were the front end arms last year, can take the next step, this team could climb even higher than this #5 spot."

- Jason Burton (Virginia/DC Scouting Director)