VHSL 2017 2A Preview
February 16, 2017
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By John Nolan
Virginia Assistant Director and Content Manager
Over the last two weeks, we took a look at our 2017 Pre-Season All-PBR VA/DC Teams.
First Team
Second Team
Third Team
Honorable Mention
Underclassmen Team
This week, we began our season previews by classification by taking a look at the smaller public schools. We began with VHSL 1A yesterday and take a look at VHSL 2A today. Early next week, we will release our 1A/2A combined rankings, which will be updated throughout the year.
2016 PLAYOFF RECAP
The East Regional tournament saw a first round upset as recent power Strasburg upset Conference 36 champ East Rockingham. Maggie Walker shut out Madison County in the semifinals and Goochland also put up a dominant pitching performance against Strasburg as the two earned their State Tournament berths and set themselves up to face off for the Regional Championship. Maggie Walker’s bats came out in the 2A East Championship and the Governors were able to beat Goochland, 8-5.
The West Regional also only saw one first round upset, as two-time defending 2A West and State Champion Virginia knocked of Lebanon to reach the semifinals. The Bearcats then shutout Glenvar in the semis to earn a return trip to the State Tournament. Randolph-Henry senior ace Cameron Vasser (James Madison) tossed a fifteen strikeout no-hitter in the first round as the Statesmen advanced to take on Grayson County in the semifinals. The Blue Devils were able to punch their State Tournament ticket with a 7-5 win over Randolph-Henry in the semis. Virginia captured its third straight 2A West Region Championship with a slugfest win over Grayson County, 10-9.
In the State Tournament, the East flexed its muscles in the semifinals as both Maggie Walker and Goochland won. The Governors scored two runs in the first and made that stand up for a 2-1 win over Grayson County. Goochland trailed Virginia 3-2 after five innings before exploding for nine runs in the sixth to advance. In the Championship game, Maggie Walker was able to shut down Goochland’s bats and capture the State Championship.
TOP PROSPECTS IN 2A
| Name | Position | School | Class | Commitment |
| Josh Jones | SS | Randolph-Henry | 2017 | James Madison |
| Matt Pinson | RHP/3B | Maggie Walker | 2017 | |
| Bennett McCann | RHP | Dan River | 2017 | King University |
| Joshua Dawson | SS | Amelia County | 2017 | |
| Raleigh Duffer | RHP | Randolph-Henry | 2017 | Randolph-Macon |
| Bryan Harris | 1B | Amelia County | 2017 | Marymount |
| Tanner Bradshaw | RHP | Goochland | 2017 | |
| Jed Anderson | OF | Goochland | 2017 | |
| Matthew Pulliam | UTL | Glenvar | 2017 | |
| Jacob Stewart | OF | Dan River | 2017 | |
| Ryan Cave | P | Page County | 2017 | |
| Chris Smith | UTL | Madison County | 2017 |
VHSL 2A
Teams in bold were 2016 Region Tournament teams. 2016 Conference Champions are denoted by Conference number next to their name (37).
| 2A East | 2A West |
| Amelia County | Appomattox County |
| Arcadia | Buckingham County |
| Bluestone | Central-Wise |
| Brunswick | Chatham |
| Bruton | Dan River |
| Buffalo Gap | Floyd County |
| Central-Woodstock | Gate City |
| Clarke County | Giles |
| East Rockingham (36) | Glenvar (38) |
| George Mason | Graham |
| Goochland (34) | Grayson County (39) |
| Greensville County | Gretna |
| King William | Grundy |
| Madison County (35) | James River-Buchanan |
| Maggie Walker (33) | John Battle |
| Nandua | Lebanon (40) |
| Nelson County | Lee |
| Nottoway | Marion Senior |
| Page County | Martinsville |
| Prince Edward County | Randolph-Henry (37) |
| Strasburg | Richlands |
| Stuart's Draft | Ridgeview |
| Washington & Lee | Tazewell |
| Wilson Memorial | Union |
| Virginia |
TEAMS TO WATCH IN 2017
Amelia County has the makings of a talented middle of the lineup that will be built around Josh Dawson and Bryan Harris. Both have power potential and Dawson has a big arm at short that could have a major impact on the mound.
Dan River was a 2016 2A West Regional team and the Wildcats should be strong again in 2017 as they bring back pitcher Bennett McCann and All-State outfielder Jacob Stewart.
East Rockingham is bringing back the bulk of its lineup and rotation coming off of a 16-6 season that saw the Eagles win Conference 36 and reach the 2A East Region tournament. Senior second baseman Jacob Merica earned All-Region honors and will be back to lead the offense this spring.
Goochland had an outstanding season in 2016 but just couldn’t get past Maggie Walker. The Bulldogs were hurt by graduation but will return two of their top three arms from last year, Tanner Bradshaw and Nick Norman, both of whom had ERAs under 1.00. Bradshaw also led the team in home runs in and RBIs and will be back in a lineup that will also feature All-State performer Jed Anderson, one of four Bulldogs who hit over .400 last year.
Maggie Walker captured the 2A East and 2A State Championships in 2016 and will return its most important player in 2016 2A Player of the Year Matthew Pinson who will again top the Governors’ rotation and anchor their lineup.
Randolph-Henry lost their ace to graduation but the Statesman will still have the most talented player in 2A in Josh Jones to build their lineup around. Raleigh Duffer has a good mix of pitches and has the potential to continue to develop and succeed as his role increases this spring.
Virginia has won three straight 2A West championships but saw its run of State Titles end at two last season. The Bearcats looked to be in the midst of a rebuilding 2016 season, sitting just below .500 midway through the year. An eleven game win streak carried them to the State Tournament and they will look to return for a fourth straight time as Virginia brings back Brayden Rawson, who emerged as the Bearcats’ ace down the stretch last season.
Check back next week as we unveil our PBR VA/DC 1A/2A Rankings and continue our classification previews with VHSL 3A and 4A.
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