MIF04

Should be a very 'intense' series. I think BH generally swings the bat a little better and Silsbee generally has a little better pitching depth. I would expect a Hales vs. Schooling showdown in game 1, and that game will probably set the tone for the rest of the series. It is a very even series. BH has beaten Silsbee once earlier this year, but since then, Silsbee has knocked off Jasper twice (while BH lost twice to district foe Huffman). Now for the cliques: whoever plays the best wins this series. In other words, it is too close for 1 team to play bad and still hope to win. Can somebody say defense? Can somebody say fundamentals? In other words, my prediction is: I don't have a clue....but its gonna be fun finding out. Hope it goes 3...and hope game 3 goes into extra innings. That would be a suitable finish.

1. Where would they play (although I know that Gilligan at Lamar has some interest)? 2. Do I see the ghost of the Beaumont Bullfrogs?

Congrats to both, and best of luck at the next level. Way to go, Nick !!!!

Womack's perforance was outstanding (but he didn't play Crosby this week). On the other hand, it was in a warm up game while Powell's was in a playoff game...and was a no-no.

Naming a 'Coach of the Year' depends on a lot of variables. Is it the guy who had that 'once in a lifetime' season, where everything went right? The guy who makes good talent into a great team? Etc, etc.... 1. First, a couple of people who exceeded expectations -- Trawhorn (Silsbee) and Landry (HF). The program at Silsbee has grown from one that (2 years ago) couldn't pull up another player to their varsity because they needed 9 guys to field their JV team into the undefeated district champs. An outstanding achievement. HF probably defeated more 'name' teams early in the season than anyone (knocking off Jasper, LCM) before returning to earth in April. Still, a 20 win season when no one really saw them as a playoff contender is exceptional. 2. Next, an explanation why I wouldn't vote for Moses at HJ. The Hawks made a great run to make the playoffs but, at 14-12, that isn't 'Coach of the Year' material. A great job but probably not equal to the job of others, including Trawhorn. 3. Third, why not Billy Bryant at BC? They are a dominant 3A team and the odds-on favorite to return to Austin in June. Still, it is hard for me to say he did much with all of the talent he had other than point them toward the field and say 'go play'. That is not meant to be harsh, it is just a simple fact. This team has more D1 signees than any other team in the area (Angelle and Haymon) -- they were supposed to be as good as they are right now. 4. And, last -- who do I think it should be? Griff. No question he has a talented team but they have transcended that talent. They have won 20 in a row...went undefeated in a very, very tough district...and proved who was the better team (and had the better coach) last Thursday vs. BC. His career record is noteworth but this season (so far) has been something special. And, before we hear anymore about it being 'just' the talent -- he only has one D1 player (Ehlert) on his roster. ... the same number as PNG (Harwood) and Nederland (Smith). Its something more than just talent...its the coaching and Griff has done a remarkable job. For what its worth (and maybe not much), he gets my vote.

I nominate Powell from PNG -- threw a perfect game in 1st game of playoffs.

Tough end of the season for HF. Finishing 3rd led to tough 1st round matchup with BH. Had they held on and finished 2nd, much easier 1st round and a chase to regain some momentum. Still, 20 wins is a pretty good year and some big wins early in the year. Congrats to Coach Landry and the Horns. And we're all looking forward to BH-Silsbee series.

Way to go, NDNs ....now, throw a real monkey wrench in the Region III bracket by knocking off the Cubs.

Congrats to Huffman on win but road to Austin in 3A Reg III still goes through BC. Doesn't mean they can't be beat but they sure are tough. QUESTION: Would you rather have BC in a 1 game or 3 game series?

Congrats to BH on big game 1 win. Tough loss for HF who just seems to be slowly fading over the last 1/3 of the season. No doubt BH has got a good team (so does HF) but a good team goes home today. Best of luck to both.

Way to go, B !! !!

Womack pitched great. It was a very impressive night for him and he kept BC off balance all night (except for Coleman who had 2 hits including HR). Angelle threw well with the only hard hit ball off him being Ehlert's HR. Ehlert was dominant closing out the gae. For what it is worth, this game was played in a playoff-like atmosphere and proved that, in that kind of game, mistakes can cost you runs and runs given away cost you games. Congrats to the Bears on their 20th in a row. A great season gets better.

It was a lot more evenly matched than the score indicated. The hits were basically even, just that BC's mistakes cost them, LCM's didn't. I thought Womack pitched a great game and so did Angelle. Ehlert was dominant to close it out. Until Angelle was lifted, LCM really didn't hit the ball at all (other than the Ehlert bomb). Coleman hit a bomb for BC, had another hit and a line drive out. He swung it good. Both teams have enough positive to take out of this game and get into the playoffs.

Difference in the BC-Cleveland game was that BC was throwing pitchers in that game that were way down their depth chart. Silsbee, on the other hand, had their ace get rocked.

Yeah, Ozen's group is going to be good. That program just needs a little depth.

The Hart kid @ Jasper is a very good athlete and I have always thought a lot of Schneider @ LCM. With being said, I'm gonna take WB's middle infield with Ferguson & Murphy up the middle. They are sound defensively, they are solid at turning the DP and make both the routine and outstanding plays. Plus, they are both outstanding offensively.

The deal with Buchanon was very unfortunate; however, Carnahan has done a really good job in his stead. Possible Newcomer of the Year in that District?

While I still think Sparks gets it, you should also mention Johnny Dishon from Bridge City: Football -- Offensive MVP as QB Baseball -- 1st Team All-District as OF (and ranked in top 100 nationally) Track -- regional track meet in 4 events (triple jump, 200, 4 x 100 and 4 x 200)

Maybe PNG's bats are waking up at the right time???? If so, what a sleeper in Region III.

Maybe PNG's bats are waking up at the right time???? If so, what a sleeper in Region III.

Sparks is a good choice. 4 sport star. Rare in today's world.

Perfect Game has issued its latest national player rankings for the 2006, 2007 and 2008 classes: 2006 (NATIONAL TOP 1000) #53 B. Belt (Lufkin Hudson) #185 Z. Harwood (PNG) #189 K. Angelle (BC) #222 C. Ehlert (LCM) #460 C. Mire (PNG) #611 M. Smith (Nederland) 2007 (NATIONAL TOP 200) #81 J. Dishon (BC) #176 T. Ferguson (WB) No one in the area made the 2008 Top 50 -- the closest was #3, Hunter Cervenka @ Baytown Sterling.

In all fairness (and to update), Perfect Game has just released updated rankings and now has Angelle ahead of Ehlert (but both behind Harwood). Just shows what a hard question this is.... www.pgcrosschecker.com

Think maybe Ehlert is gonna throw some on Friday?

Looks like Griff has got his pitching set for Friday....