Truth be told, while Hauser was the bigger name and bigger prospect with his ceiling it has been Morrison that Saunders has put out there in the biggest games over the last 2 seasons. One could argue that he has been their ace even though Hauser was the one the scouts and recruiters came to see.
Manchester also has Ben Florence who has emerged as a very good high school pitcher.
Never count out James River though. They return Parnell and Kirby which were 2 very solid left handed arms and they have athletes as always -
As for Cosby - they might have the higher ceiling when it's all said and done. Shifflett, Hamlet and Perry all return and their rotation of Mooney (Davidson bound) and Carpenter are as good a 1-2 as anyone. If Ben Sisk has a senior year like Lowrey hopes then they are deep enough to make a sserious run at it.
My predictions:
1. Cosby
2. Manchester
3. James River
4. LC Bird
5. Clover Hill
6. Midlothian
7. Monacan
As for the Central - Matoaca has all the talent in the world but don't seem to get it done when it counts the most. Lindsey, Ramsey, Howerton, Walker, Kilbourne - exceptional high school talent but something seems to be missing. Maybe this is the year. Thomas Dale has Cullen, Moore and Togna are good enough to give Dale a chance against anyone on any day - but they lost a ton of leadership in Britt and Ryan Carter to graduation. Dinwiddie is stacked with Nick Christopher and Josh Bridgeman and when it's all said and done I see them winning out. PG will squeeze in to the 4th spot but it's the lack of depth in the division that bodes poorley for the Central reps in the Regionals - they just don't get tested as often as the teams in the Dominion or the teams north of the River.
But who knows.