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The 2023 VHSL 2A title was brought home by the Patrick County Cougars. While the Cougars return Tucker Swails, the 2A State Player of the Year, there are multiple teams that could challenge for the 2024 title. See previews on more than a dozen VHSL 2A teams in the story below.

VHSL 2A Previews:

Appomattox

2023 Record: 14-5 

Appomattox won the 2A State Championship in 2022 and lost in regional quarterfinals in 2023. During those two years they had some upperclass leadership in Trey Shrock (Hampden-Sydney), Alex Caruso (Hampden-Sydney), and Wyatt Sisk (Charleston-WV), but those three have moved on, leaving a large void at the top. Evan Carwile, Kyle Davis, and Isaac Records could be three names to know for the Raiders in 2024.

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Bruton

2023 Record: 0-19-1

2023 did not go great for the Bruton Panthers. They did not manage to register a win last season, but they do return eight starters. Bruton is middle heavy in terms of age/class. They will bring a combination of five sophomores and juniors to the table this year, including speedy outfielder, Drew Lee. Paul Mutter and Ty Yates will need to make some contributions in the lineup to help push Bruton in the right direction this season. Hayden Zimmerman is the top returning arm and should get some help from left hander, Nehemiah Barrett. The pitching staff is young, but have some experience and should only continue to improve as they mature.

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Buckingham

2023 Record: 18-3 *Lost in VHSL 2A State Semifinals*

The Knights had a dominant run in 2023 with a 18-3 record including going 12-0 in the region. The Knights ended up falling to the eventual state champions the Patrick County Cougars in the state semifinals. They bring back their ace Justin Gunter and Avery Schaeffer . With those two returners along with Ethan Walter, the Knights have a strong chance to get back to the state tournament.

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Chatham

2023 Record: 19-3 

While the Cavaliers will have to figure out a way to replace Jake Moore (1st Team All-State Outfielder) and Carrington Aaron (Virginia Tech), the 2A powerhouse will return two Division I commits that should help soften that blow. Kennen Lewis (VMI) and Alex Van Pelt (Mt.St. Mary's) are two seniors who are potential All-State players and will be big pieces to the puzzle in 2024. They will need to find some depth on the mound and additional offensive help, but they have some strong pieces that will carry a lot of weight for this season's squad.

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Floyd County

2023 Record: 8-14

The Floyd County Buffaloes are coming off of a 8-14 season and will return only two starters. They will be underclass heavy, potentially leaning on two freshman in Gavin Swortzel and Adam Petty as contributors, as well as two sophomores in Isaiah Cantrell and Mason Cockram playing big roles. Senior JD King, if healthy, should be one of the primary contributors, and one of the few upperclassmen on the roster.

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John Battle

2023 Record: 14-7 *Lost in VHSL 2A State Quarterfinals*

The Trojans will have to overcome a major loss in Evan Hankins, who transferred to Miller School. However, the Trojans are battle tested (insert pun) and have another year of experience and development for this group that has been together on varsity for two or so years. Porter Gobble, Noah Sills, and Gavin Ratliff provide quality depth on the mound, with Gobble being the staff ace. Elijah Childress is a strong left side defender and a mainstay in the top half of the order, while Caden Sturgill is their every day catcher.

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Lebanon

2023 Record: 26-2 *VHSL 1A State Champions*

Lebanon ran through 1A with an impressive 26-2 record, with their only losses coming to Tennessee High in late March. The Pioneers outscored their opponents 275-48 over their twenty-eight game season and only gave up one total run in their state tournament games. They have huge losses to replace in 2023 grads Zach Hertig and Seth Buchanan. However, the defending state champs return 1st Team All-State pitcher Nathan Phillips and 2nd Team All-State pitcher Dagan Barton.

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Luray

2023 Record: 8-14

The Luray Bulldogs ran off five straight wins on the back half of their schedule, but the losses also tended to come in bunches. However, coming into 2023, the Bulldogs return eight starters including a pair of committed seniors, Landon Vile (Hood) and Cameron Weaver. Connor Hilliard made All-District and All-Region as a freshman, as well as senior Christian Lentz. Jacob Shenk is another senior that is back to add to that trio of fellow upperclassmen in Lentz, Vile, and Weaver. Another underclassman that should be a contributor is Nick Cubbage. Cubbage should be the centerpiece of the outfield in 2024.

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Patrick County

2023 Record: 25-5 *VHSL 2A State Champions*

Patrick County looks to defend their 2023 2A State Championship. The Cougars return Tucker Swails, the 2A State Player of the Year, as well as junior Jackson Horton. As great as Swails was in ‘23, the Cougars will have to find a way to replace the production and leadership of Jai Penn, a 1st Team All-State outfielder. By the time playoffs roll around, they should be prepared after playing the likes of Halifax, Tunstall, and other strong programs in southwest Virginia.

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Poquoson

2023 Record: 19-7-1 *2023 VHSL 2A State Runner-Up*

The Islanders had a strong season with a 19-7-1 record heading to the 2A state championship, but ultimately falling to Patrick County. The Islanders offense was explosive in 2023 and looks to be the same in 2024. They return Eli Tyndall, Max Fritts, Eli Monroe, Baker Green, Lucas Power, and TJ Check who all received postseason honors. Six All-Region selections and four All-State selections came from the Islanders roster. Eli Tyndall received 1st team All-State Shortstop. Max Fritts received 2nd team All-State pitcher. Eli Monroe received 2nd team All-State catcher. Baker Green received 2nd team All-State outfielder. Another arm that could make contributions and add depth to the staff is Dan Sperling. With a veteran core, the Islanders look to be a state title contender again in 2024.

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Radford

2023 Record: 4-16

While Radford’s year ended at 4-16, the Bobcats did manage to put together a couple of impressive wins, including beating Alleghany 7-6 towards the end of the year. Radford only returns two starters and two arms from a four win team, so there will be some maturing that has to happen. A quarter of juniors should help lead the way. Hayden Joyce, Mason Murphy, Jon Flinchum, and Jackson Johnson are the main upperclassmen on this roster, while sophomores Blake Farmer and Micah Ray could see some important time. Parker Billings is a talented sophomore that could be important for this club, short or long term. Another pair of young talents are the freshmen, JD Grubb and Tanner Rodgers. Mason Murphy should lead the Bobcats on the mound and they will need to provide some depth behind him.

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Randolph-Henry

2023 Record: 17-7 *Lost in VHSL 2A State Quarterfinals*

The Statesmen made it into the 2A state tournament, but had a first round exit at the hands of James River District rival, Buckingham. The Statesmen lost some big pieces to their lineup and on the mound in Jayden Gee, Lucas Skelton, and Brayson Arrington. Seniors Ben Gibbs and Junior Powell will head a young Statesman roster and try to lead them back to a state tournament bid. Jaylan Gordon had a big season in 2022, but was on the shelf last season. Look for him to be an offensive piece for the Statesmen in 2024.

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Riverheads

2023 Record: 14-7 *Lost in VHSL 2A State Quarterfinals*

The Gladiators will take the step up to 2A in 2024, joining Region B with the likes of 2A power Buckingham. It will be a tough task to take the region, but Riverheads does return the majority of their 2023 team, only graduating two players from last year’s squad, including Henry Dunlap.