Three teams in each class to keep an eye on

Posted 3/7/19

Shane Stephenson and Thomas County Central are off to an 11-0 start in Class 5A.

 

Keeping watch on these teams

We're nearing the midpoint of the Georgia high school regular baseball season. While some regions have already started region play, some haven't. Here are three teams in each classification who entered the preseason unranked in the Top 10 of each classification who are worthy of keeping an eye on as the season continues. Records are through March 6 games.

 

Class 7A 

Etowah (9-2) -- Perhaps no team in state is hotter. Eagles have topped No. 1 teams Pope and preseason Class 4A No. 1 Blessed Trinity. On March 6, they defeated Class 7A No. 2 North Paulding.

North Cobb (7-1) -- Young Warriors' only loss came to Class 6A power Allatoona. Resume includes a pair of wins over East Paulding and Class 7A power Woodstock. Warriors play in Region 3, which includes powers North Paulding and Hillgrove.

Collins Hill (7-2) -- Led by one of the nation's top players in Nasim Nunez, the Eagles have started region play and split a pair of games with defending Class 7A state runner-up Mill Creek.

 

Class 6A 

Greenbrier (7-2) -- The tradition-rich Wolfpack have lost to Class 7A Mill Creek and Fox Creek (S.C.). Greenbrier, who has gotten strong pitching from Chase Dollander and Bryce Melear, have recorded wins over Marist, Benedictine and Ringgold. 

Harrison (7-3) -- The Hoyas have played well in a pair of losses to powers Pope and Woodstock. They have notched wins over smaller school powers like Lovett and Class 2A No. 5 Rockmart.

Northgate (8-3) -- The Vikings have recorded one-run wins over traditional powers like Columbus High and Carrollton as well as defeating county rival Newnan. Northgate should be tough in Region 5-6A play.

 

Class 5A

Decatur (6-2) - With Class of 2020 prospect Jordan Walker leading the way, the young Bulldogs are playing better than expected. They have defeated Grayson, Class 2A top-ranked Bremen and Chamblee. Keep an eye on them as the season continues.

Riverwood (5-1) - Led by South Carolina signee Brett Thomas on the mound, the Raiders have defeated a trio of higher classification teams like Glynn Academy, North Atlanta and Cambridge.

Thomas County Central (11-0) - The last remaining undefeated team in Class 5A, the Jackets are unbeaten and can take sole-possession of first in Region 1-5A with a victory over Harris County on March 8. TCC's resume includes a pair of wins over Class 6A No. 10 Lee County and a sweep of Veterans in region play.

 

Class 4A

Chestatee (6-1) - The progress under Jonathan Brewer continues. With only two seniors, the War Eagles are off to a 6-1 start. Last year in the playoffs, they took eventual state champion Jefferson to a decisive third game before falling.

Eastside (6-1) - The Eagles are playing well and could give preseason Region 4-4A favorite Woodward Academy a run. Eastside's resume includes a victory over Class 3A Morgan County. 

West Laurens (9-3) - After losing ace pitcher Nolan Daniel, the young Raiders were expected to be rebuilding. West Laurens has a pair of wins over Class 6A River Ridge and a split with Jones County. They could be better than last year's team.

 

Class 3A

Fannin County (7-2) - The Rebels could be a dangerous team in Region 7-3A play. Their resumes includes a split with power Calhoun and victories over Gainesville, Newnan and Riverwood.

Islands (8-4) - First-year coach Brandon Collins has the Sharks competing at a high level. Islands has a pair of region wins over Southeast Bulloch and a win over Class 1A Private power Wesleyan.

Worth County (8-1) - Led by senior standout Gabe Goff, the Rams have won six in a row and could be the state's sleeper. Worth's resume includes a pair of wins over Class 2A defending state runner-up Berrien, a split with Fitzgerald and a win over Class 4A Cairo. 

 

Class 2A

Banks County (8-1) - The Leopards are a solid threat to Elbert County in the Region 8-2A chase. Coach Peyton Hart continues to have Banks playing well. The Leopards already have a pair of region wins over Union County.

Chattooga (8-2) - The Indians have won eight in a row since opening the season with a pair of losses to Class 4A Cedartown. Chattooga's resume includes wins over Darlington and a victory over Dade County to open the Region 7-2A schedule.

Vidalia (5-2)  -The Indians have victories over Westside-Augusta and Heard County, two teams currently ranked in Class 2A. Look for Vidalia to have a say in outcome of the Region 2-2A standings.

 

Class 1A Public

ACE Charter (6-1-1) - The Gryphons have played well in their first year of existence. ACE has handled higher-classification schools like Balwin and Dublin with ease.

Baconton Charter (8-0-1) - The unbeaten Blazers have wins over Irwin County and St. Anne-Pacelli. Their only blemish is a tie with region foe Pelham, a game suspended by darkness.

Jenkins County (5-2) - The young Eagles have loads of potential as evidenced in their region victory over Savannah Country Day. 

 

Class 1A Private

Mount Paran Christian (4-2) - Expected to be rebuilding this spring, the Eagles are playing better than expected. They have split a pair of games with Strong Rock Christian and taken a pair of games from preseason Class 1A Public No. 2 Bowdon.

Mount Vernon Presbyterian (7-0) - The Mustangs under first-year coach Jeremy Beckham, are unbeaten and have recorded wins over South Gwinnett, Saint Francis and Class 3A power Redan.

Trinity Christian (5-0) - In their first season of playing in the Georgia High School Association, the Lions have impressive wins over West Laurens, Vidalia, Johns Creek and Holy Innocents'.