Predictions 9-5A

Not sure if Plano East falls all the way to the fourth spot. Wylie does have the top arms as long as they are healthy. PWHS can flat out stroke it so I agree that they are a playoff team. Lots of shoes to fill at Allen-we'll see who steps up. With Robertson now coaching at Plano it is just a matter of time before they are a baseball monster. His record at South Garland speaks volumes. I know for sure that his kids will play hard for him and they will field more gorund balls in practice than they ever imagined possible.

I don't necessarily disagree with the comments but I think the top 4 will be in a different order -- and I think Allen is as good as Plano. The early favorite has to be West due to its stong lineup.

PD,

So, was Wylie a fluke last year? They only lost their big hitting catcher and not much more.

No, Wylie wasn't a fluke. They will be good. Feckley will be one of the district's best pitchers and Jordan, Vennet, and Atwell are very good offensive players. Their number 2 and 3 pitchers are good as well. I think they will make the playoffs and contend for the #1 spot, which this year may get you Sasche or Rowlett in Round 1 (argh!). I think East will finish higher than 4th.

Wylie will also have a new coach on board. He is a little like Wade Phillips in that he is coming in when the pantry is plenty full instead of rebuilding.

Head Coach is assistant from last year, and has had a significant role in the growth and development of our pitching staff. New Asst. Coach this year, and I have to admit I don't know much about him. I do know the boys like the coaching staff and are looking forward to getting started soon (as are the fans!)

As for the "list", my thoughts:

West, East and Wylie battle for top three spots, 4th will go to Plano or Allen.

I believe the new Asst Coach at Wylie is the former head coach at Creekview. He did a pretty good job there without as much talent as some of the others in that district.

Wow!!! Rex "Superman" Burkhead will make a impact for the Cats, but to say Allen finshes sixth is crazy. I'll take the same four playoff teams as last year with different seedings.

New assistant at Wylie is Brian Jones, formerly of Creekview and Greenville before that. From our experiences with him, good guy.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 20's old man:
It is not yet confirmed Burkhead will play baseball.QUOTE]

My sources say that Rex and Carson Meager have committed to playing baseball. Also, hearing one of the offensive lineman may come out as well.

Hearing Wylie may add a good arm to their staff to go with Feckley and Craighead, kids name is Cameron Rice. Don't know if he is Jr. or Soph. but heard he has a lot of potential.

I'm pretty sure Plano won't tell Superman he can't play baseball....what are they gonna say "if you play baseball we don't want you on the football team anymore"

He can leap dugouts in a single bound!

Rex is a great kid and a tremendous athlete, but he hasn't played baseball in a few years. It will be interesting to see how Plano gels....they could be the 9-5A surprise of the year.

I hear West has a new football/baseball player in the outfield as well.

Although I am not technically a 9-5A fan I have seen many of the players over the years...

Bo Altobelli at Plano is a quality pitcher and short-stop....

Oh come on CS....you can admit to being a 9-5A fan!

quote:

Originally posted by Panther Dad:
Oh come on CS....you can admit to being a 9-5A fan!

I am a 5A Plano fan....all directions included...

Tuesday 2/12 Plano Wildcats @ McKinney North 5:00pm (scrimmage)

Should be fun!!

Glad to see you put the 3 dots at the end of the statement about Bo Altobelli -- because he can also catch, play 3rd and hit! He's the kind of guy you can build a team around.

quote:

Originally posted by RPD:
Glad to see you put the 3 dots at the end of the statement about Bo Altobelli -- because he can also catch, play 3rd and hit! He's the kind of guy you can build a team around.

Yep, I knew he was a good catcher too but I wasn't sure how much time he was spending behind the plate these days...

He is a pretty darn good ice hockey player too...

The more I read and hear.....the more I think Plano Senior should make people nervous. I hear they have some 6"6" kid who has had arm troubles in the past, but is now healthy. Dallas Tigers I believe. Also a hard throwing righty, upper 80"s named Standefer or something.

quote:

Bring it
Member

[QUOTE] PD,

So, was Wylie a fluke last year? They only lost their big hitting catcher and not much more.

They lost more than this board will lose when you are gone knucklehead. What kind of statement is that? You don't get it do you?

sources have reported to me that p west has some hitters. watch out

Low&inside,

What did I do to you? You don't like Wylie? I picked them 1st at the top of this thread. What do you have to offer to this forum but negative "mean spirited" comments? Some of us just like talking a little high school baseball.

I probably should stay out of this situation but the moderator in me....

Bring it -- although I don't think you intended it, there may be a possibility that your comment about last year's team (and what they lost) was offensive to some parents or former players, particularly seniors or those that have left the program for other reasons.

I read your comment as more of an early evaluation of the level of talent returning. As you can see from the preseason polls, many think the Pirates will be strong.

1. Plano West (Gut feeling)
2. Allen (has more than ya'll are giving them credit for.)
3. Wylie (good pitching and well rounded lineup.)
4. PESH (Lost Best Players)
5. Plano (yet to be seen if Coach Robertson can coach without a mustache.)
6. LH (Close.. They were young last season.)
7. Berkner (Done the least with good talent in the past. Nothing's changing.)
8. Richardson ( agree!)

Trot - I hear they still have some pretty good players at PESH...with at least one that has signed a D1 national letter of intent with a Big 12 school.

Here is my predictions

1.Wylie- Great pitching and they have good returning talent.
2.Plano- Great new coach, very solid pitching, and good returning starters. Don't underestimate them, they're a good team.
3.Plano East- They are a coin flip with Plano West. East has some good pitching and hitting.
4.Plano West- They have the best hitting team without a doubt, but their pitching seems questionable.
5.Allen- They will be fine because somehow they always seem to replace all the talent they lose. They will keep it close throughout the year with Plano West.
6.Lake Highland- Young team that will become better throughout the next few years but not this year.
7.Berkner- They could be alright but they just don't have it this year.
8.Richardson- Yeah i agree ...


I think this is pretty accurate. Let me know if I am wrong but with everything I keep hearing, this is how it will turn out.

It's interesting to hear the Wylie pitching described as "great", along with Plano's coach. I don't mind East being picked as low as 4th because making the playoffs in a tough district is always the primary goal. Every team in the district has holes, so it will be a matter of consistency. With the exception of West, there are no real scary lineups, although each one has a few dangerous bats. I've mentioned the challenges East may face scoring runs....but the Panther pitching will be a deep as the rest of 9-5A.

PD,

I see your point and I'm sorry if I upset someone whos kid graduated last year, that surly wasn't my intent. On the lighter side, when mine graduates high school, I hope I have more to do than lurk around here.

PD

Yes I think Wylie has one of the top pitching in the district. As for the Plano coach, he has a record to prove that he is a great one. He is always in the playoffs... enough said! This year Plano has the talent to add to his impressive resume. I agree with West having a tough lineup but their pitching is their weakness. It will be interesting to see how this great season plays out.

ES19 -- don't misunderstand my comments, I don't disagree with your high-level assessment. And you're right, it should be an exciting season with so many unknowns. But it really doesn't take a "great" coach or a "great" team to make the playoffs in 5A, you simply have to be better than 1/2 of the teams. I know I am going out on the limb by insinuating that East's pitching will be as good as Wylie's -- after all, most think that the Pirates have the best #1. But East will have 4-5 pretty solid seniors on the hill, at least one strong junior, and a few young pups that show promise. Those that know the district understand that the top 4-5 teams will have strong hitting from 1-5....but 6-9 is always a high school unknown.

East also has a semester move-in -- a mechanical kid named FungoMan!

HSBBWeb lurkers, I won't be in the booth this year....so, there's no excuse for you to show up & watch the game without introducing yourself to PantherDad.

One more week!

I agree with you that East has very solid pitching, but i also think that Wylie has the best overall. Going back to the playoff comment. See Plano hasn't made the playoffs in like 9 years. So, for them to just make it is a big accomplishment. All I'm saying is that Coach Robertson has a the ablity to make Plano what they used to be.

Also, just wondering but who do yall think will be the top 3 hitters, pitchers, and fielders this year?

And that Fungoman is pretty cool. I have heard that it's a good investment.

Going back to the pitching topic on the 3 plano schools/wylie...Looking back on last year Wylie had a couple good pitchers, but their offense really stood out. This year their pitching seems to have matured and are a real threat with two solid starters. East on the other hand...i can only think of one standout starter, everyone else has to prove themselves. Moving on to West...yes they did go far into the playoffs last year, but their pitching is either hit or miss. Finally Plano...they have one starter already committed to McLennan along with other pitchers who will get the job done. Plano will impress many doubters.


Allen-anyone know anything??

GiveMeVaughn -- although the Plano pitching may be good enough to take them to the tournament, don't they have to prove themselves at the varsity level -- like most other arms in the district? BTW, I think the Wildcats will make the final 128 (wow that sounds strange). LH proabably has as much V-level experience as anyone else, perhaps equal with Wylie. For East, Roberson, Bell, and Poynter logged varsity innings last year.

In any case, we'll all have some fun!

Every team will have lots of surprises both pitching and hitting as the season plays out. Last years 9-5A champions East leaned heavily on two pitchers (Bostwick & Chase) who were not targeted for the starting rotation when the final rosters were annouced. But 12 W's later they were starting games 1 and 2 in the playoffs.

quote:

Originally posted by Panther Dad:
GiveMeVaughn -- although the Plano pitching may be good enough to take them to the tournament, don't they have to prove themselves at the varsity level -- like most other arms in the district? BTW, I think the Wildcats will make the final 128 (wow that sounds strange). LH proabably has as much V-level experience as anyone else, perhaps equal with Wylie. For East, Roberson and Bell logged varsity innings last year.

In any case, we'll all have some fun!

PD,

I agree 100% that all pitchers have to prove themselves at the varsity level including Plano's. As for LH, when's the last time they made playoffs? (seriously, I dont know much about them). As for East, both of those "pitchers" didnt pitch well against quality teams last year. Do you really see them starting against Wylie, West, and Plano and being successful? I'm not trying to down-grade them but i'm just basing this off of what i've seen and heard.

I'm pretty sure that Lake Highlands were in the playoffs since Plano made their last appearance.

All the players I mentioned had limited opportunities. I think they will add experience & depth this year.....and that was my point. Yes, each team will have to find two district starters and 1-2 relievers. The best two will get most of the district innings. Concerning LH, they will be improved, which generally means they will sneak up on those that are "rated" higher in the preseason. With the quality of athletes in Allen, some may overlook them as well.

To quote a wise man...."fun, ain't it?"

Eastside Panther,

I really didn't know the last time LH made playoffs. And yes Plano has struggled in the past (9 years).

PD,

I agree that those guys will help the pitching staff, but it is hard to replace the graduated seniors. I think this situation is similar to Plano's. Yes Plano did lose Nick Thomas(playing at McLennan now), but has a kid just like him who is also going to McLennan...I agree with you about Allen. They also seem to rejuvenate talent that they lost because they have 100+ kids try out each year and they only have ONE high school. I'll take your word regarding LH, but I'm not to sure.

CANT WAIT FOR THE SEASON TO START