JABO -- I know you have a personal stake in things at McKinney -- I, for one, appreciate your honest feedback. I joked with OP in a private message that he is too close to that situation on a personal level to be completely honest in assessing the team ---- and it is probably not his place anyway. It sounds like McKinney will be like most other teams in the area....depending on players with experience to contribute on a larger scale as they become team leaders. Most successful high school teams find a way to replace outgoing seniors with those that have developed on the sub-varsity level or who may have performed in part-time roles in the past.
Plano East has 5 returning starters and 2-3 others that were on the varsity roster last year, with minimal playing time. The others were JV players and a freshman. So...more than half the team is inexperienced. That is not to downplay their 2007 roles -- several will be ready to contribute. Having said that, this year is like most -- a key to their success will be the performace of the 3-4 senior starters. Fortunately, 3 of the underclassmen have varsity experience as well.
I love the intrigue surrounding high school baseball as each year the same challenges are faced by a new group of kids.
7 days!
-PD