VHSL 5A 2017 Preview

TEAMS TO WATCH IN 2017

Atlee reached the North Region quarterfinals in 2016 and is poised to go deeper this spring. The Raiders have one of the most physical teams in Virginia and their lineup features the big bat of sophomore Zackary Beach (Coastal Carolina) and the athleticism of junior shortstop Adam Jewell (VMI). Seniors Carson Box and Clay Naff (UVA-Wise) return on the mound coming off of strong 2016s.

Briar Woods won Conference 14 in 2016 and advanced to the North Region tournament. The Falcons bring back the bulk of their team this spring and will be among the preseason favorites to be celebrating in Fairfax in June. Briar Woods will be led by dynamic two-way talent Michael Ludowig (Wake Forest) who anchors the middle of the Falcon lineup with a deadly power/speed combination and served as the closer last year, bringing a fastball that reaches 90. Also on the mound will be seniors Sean Clark, Ty Germanowski (St. Bonaventure), and Jack Jaekle and junior lefty Wilson Ayers (Navy). Ludowig will also be helped up the middle defensively by good shortstop Jake Kleifges and junior catcher George Rosales.

Broad Run missed the North Region tournament in a hypercompetitive Conference 14 in 2016 but the Spartans have a couple of pieces that will make them dangerous this spring. Senior infielder Matt Ritchie (Johns Hopkins) has some pop and senior catcher Zachary Buck (Bucknell) is back behind the plate.

Glen Allen won the 2015 4A State Championship and 2016 was the Jaguars’ first year in 5A. They won Conference 11 and reached the South Region semifinals before the season came to an end. While graduation will impact them, Glen Allen will again have one of the deeper rosters in 5A this spring. Back on the mound will be seniors Hunter Cochrane (Hampden-Sydney) and Connor Dopp (Shenandoah). Dopp will also contribute in the infield with fellow senior Ryan Skadra (Bridgewater).

Mills Godwin reached the State Tournament in 2016 and lost Conor Nolan (Princeton) to graduation. The Eagles do bring back senior righthander Chase Muir (New Orleans) and should get stronger as the season progresses as sophomore Liam Deegan (Virginia) matures into his potential at the plate.

Halifax County reached the Region semifinals in 2016, narrowly missing a trip to the State Tournament. Look for the Comets to get there this spring as senior lefty Andrew Abbott (Virginia) should be on the pre-season short list for 5A Player of the Year. Junior righthander Drew Harlow has the potential to form a solid one-two combo with Abbott at the top of Halifax’s rotation.

Hickory reached the South Region tournament in 2016 and won Conference 9. The Hawks will be a factor again in the 2017 as they bring back ace Hunter Gregory (Old Dominion) and big-time power bat Mikey Polansky (Virginia Tech).

Kecoughtan could take a step forward in 2017 as the Warriors return the bulk of their lineup and pitching staff from 2016. Senior Josh Husby (Christopher Newport) is the top returning arm and both and junior Dylan Updike hit over .400 in 2016. Senior Hunter Riss (Newport News Apprentice) has been an All-Conference honoree every year of his career so far.

Lee-Davis finished 2016 with a winning record but failed to qualify for the South Region tournament. The Confederates will be hurt by the loss of Justin Sorokowski (Florida State) to graduation, but will bring back a pair of senior pitchers that posted ERAs under 2 in 2016 in Bryan Diehr (Randolph-Macon) and Matthew Holler. The offense will feature 2016 All-Conference performers in senior outfielder Dallas Jackson (James Madison) and sophomore catcher Zach Lass.

Mountain View won Conference 15 and the North Region in 2016 and reached the State Championship game. The Wildcats will be hurt by graduating a group of seniors that had played together for three years, but still have some key pieces back this spring in senior lefty Justin Pearson (William & Mary) and junior infielder Josh Menders.

Nansemond River is the defending 5A champs. The Warriors lost eleven seniors to graduation, sending eight of them to play at the college level. Back on the mound this spring will be a pair of key contributors to the 2016 run senior Jarret Henderson and junior Gage Williams (Virginia Tech). Four year starter Jarrid Johnson will be back at short and junior Jarrett Mayer will also be back as the two will man the middle infield this spring.

North Stafford missed the Region tournament in 2016 but the Wolverines should be back in the mix late in the season this spring. They will have a solid one-two punch on the mound in seniors Justin Cherry (Rhode Island) and Dawson Sims (VCU), both of home will also anchor the lineup. Junior Grayson Sims could step into a big role as the season progresses.

Orange County made the North Region tournament in 2016 and has a some key pieces back in big outfield bat Trevon Smith (Glenville State) and two-way player Bradley Hanner (Patrick Henry CC) who will pitch at the top of the rotation and play short when not on the mound.

Stone Bridge won the 2015 State Championship and reached the North Region tournament in 2016. The Bulldogs lost a lot to graduation but will still have plenty of talent on the roster this spring. Senior Gary Fuller (Army) is back to top the rotation with fellow senior Chase Dunn in the mix as well. Seniors Zach Spahr (Frostburg State) and Billy Quinn (Eastern Mennonite) will be asked to step forward in the infield and sophomore Paul Moore could be the key to the offense as he has a ton of power potential and the potential to carry the offense at some point is his career.

RECENT HIGH SCHOOL NEWS