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2015 Team Preview: Independence Patriots

January 27, 2015

By Greg Williams
WV Director of Scouting

http://pantherbook.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/pats.pngAs we prepare for the upcoming 2015 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: Independence
Nickname: Patriots
Class: 2A
League: Coalfield Conference
Head Coach: Scott Cuthbert
2014 Overall Record: 27-8 (lost in state finals)

TOP PLAYERS:
Andrue Hughart, RHP/SS/C, Class of 2015 (2nd Team All-State selection in 2014)
Ryan Brandstetter, C/RHP/DH, Class of 2016 (2nd Team All-Conference selection in 2014)
Chris Mills, OF/IF, Class of 2016 (2nd Team All-Conference selection in 2014)

Others to watch:
Logan Smith, OF, Class of 2016
Nick Kostenko, Util., Class of 2017
Tyler Haga, IF/RHP, Class of 2017

SEASON OUTLOOK:
Independence has made to consecutive trips to Charleston for the state tournament but will have their work cut out for them if they want to make it three in a row. The Patriots graduated a large percentage of their starting lineup and will rely on young talent to fill in the gaps. Senior Andrue Hughart, No. 12 in the WV Class of 2015, will be relied on heavily for his offense and will be the staff ace.

According to the Coach:
"This team will be quite different from last years team. We only return three starters from last year. We feel we have some good players back but we will have to wait and see how they do in varsity action. We are hoping we can be competitive in conference and tournament play."

COACHES PRE-SEASON QUESTIONNAIRE:
We appreciate all help provided by high school coaches across the state assisting with our preseason coverage. If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches' preseason questionnaire online by CLICKING HERE.

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Previous team previews: