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High School Division 2 Previews - West East/Middle A - R 1 & 2 R 3 & 4 R 5 & 6 R 7 & 8 AA -R 1 & 2 R 3 & 4 R 5 & 6 R 7 & 8 AAA - R 1 & 2 R 3 &4 R 5 & 6 R 7 & 8 |
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West Region Division II-AA
Briarcrest (Eads)
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WEST REGION Division II-A Bishop Byrne
(Memphis)
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Team Previews
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Team Previews
University School of Jackson 26-14 2/25 The 2010 Bruins open a new page this season as they begin play this year in Division II A. The Bruins look to keep their tradition strong that was established in Division I A and AA with many returning players from 2009. The leading senior returning players are Preston Overbey (P, 3B), Walker McWherter (UP, P), Kyle Bryan (CF), Dusty Bright (LF) and Hunter Smith (OF,1B,P). They all have multiple years of experience and will be depended on to lead this year’s team. They will be the top hitters in the line-up therefore much is expected from them as the younger players will respond to their actions and leadership on the field and in the dugout. Preston and Walker will be the #1 and # 2 pitchers for the 2010 season as well. They will have to carry the load for a deep staff but will have to become the strength for the team. Cheyenne Kirk (P) is another senior that will be a big part of the pitching staff. He can get a lot of innings due to being a lefthander with a team full of righties. The Juniors that look to contribute to the success of the USJ Bruins is Jake Overbey (SS), Nick Leffridge (P, OF), Casey Tinker (2B), Logan Wall (DH, 1B), and Gene Crews (3B,C). Jake is the only returning starter in this class and is most definitely the defensive strength of the Bruins at the shortstop position. Nick Leffridge looks to be a strong #3 pitcher but will need to prove and keep proving that he belongs on the mound. He has the physical ability to be very dominating but control-ling that ability is still a work in prog-ress. Logan, Casey and Gene will be looked upon to contribute quickly on the defensive side as well as offensively. They have shown promise over the off-season and have gained the maturity needed to help USJ be compet-itive. Remaining underclassmen needed in 2010 is sophomore Lee Mayhall (C), and freshmen Ryan Garner (P, OF), Reed Matheny (C), and Tyler Hardin (2B, DH). They will have to mature quickly so that they can give the much needed depth to the to the team and push the upper classmen for playing time. Mayhall and Matheny most definitely will have to contribute very soon as the catching position needs to be filled and developed to handle the pitching staff. The 2010 team will be exciting to watch play but needs to remain focused on competing against the game each and every day. The new division will bring in tough unfamiliar teams that this team will have to prepare for all year. In the end like every team across the state, the Bruins look to win that last game. With a lot of dedication to each other, hard work and team chemistry the 2010 USJ Bruins will be working toward that goal.
Jackson Christian 26-14 1/25 Expectations are high at JCS in 2010 as the Eagles return 10 players that had varsity starts last year. Three straight trips to the 1A State Tournament (including the 2008 Championship and one runner-up finish) and 4 straight District Championships have set the standard high in Jackson. The Eagles have 8 seniors this Spring and a very experienced and tallented junior class as well. JCS will be playing it's first season in DII which will bring about new challenges and oppor-tunities. Harding Academy 16-17 2/1 The Lions enter the 2010 season losing only one to graduation (Chris Nunn - Lipscomb University) from last years 16-17 team. Seniors Eason Gilbert cf, Bradley Cain 2b, and Tyler Stanford ss/c/rhp will hit 1, 2, 3 in the order again this year for a team that will be joined by ten incoming freshmen. Stanford and Cain are four year starters and their experience and leadership will be valuable for another young team. Stanford is listed as a top prospect in the area and has offers from Blue Mountain College, Freed-Hardeman, Harding, and others. Sophomores Matt Harford 1b/lhp, Alex Guy 3b/rhp, and Matt Brown lf/rhp return with Guy and Brown starting every game as a freshman and Harford getting valuable experience on the mound and playing 1b when Nunn was pitching. Guy is an emotional, hardworking player who has a desire to get better day-in and day-out and showed signs as a freshman of being a future leader for this team. Incoming freshmen Parks Flowers of/rhp, Riley Echols of/rhp, Nathan Stanford inf/rhp, Zach Beasley inf/rhp, Chad Parker c/rhp, Jack Hurdle inf/rhp, Colin Escue c/rhp and Alec Anderson 1b/of/rhp will contribute right away. The 2013 class will probably be the strongest class to ever come through Harding Academy. After taking FACS to a deciding 3rd game sub-state series in 09 with four freshmen in the lineup, expectations will run high this year. With great senior leadership, an out-standing freshmen class, and a pitching staff of 14 the Lions look to compete in the newly revised Division 2A which will be much more competitive with the additions of ECS, USJ and Jackson Christian.
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