jdawg03 Posted March 12, 2006 Report Posted March 12, 2006 1. LCM- (12-4) Well where do you start with this team? Everything is clicking at the right time. The Bears have played a very competitive schedule and have faired well. They have a great pitching staff with tons of depth, led by Clayton Ehlert (possibly the area’s best all around player). There are no weak spots in the lineup; everyone can hit. They have a big group of seniors who are great leaders that expect to win. Should be a real contender for a state championship this year and take the district crown away from Nederland. 2. Nederland- (7-5) The Bulldogs, who went 12-0 in district play last year, should give LCM a run for there money in 20-4a. There are those that see them as the favorite in the district. Ned has played a brutal pre-district schedule, and is coming into district a battle-tested team. They did hang with 5a powerhouse The Woodlands earlier in the year, and 10 run ruled #1 3a team Bridge City. Pitcher Matison Smith, outfielder Micah Mosley, and second baseman Chris Laird will all have to step up to defeat the Battlin Bears and defend their 20-4a crown. 3. PNG- (3-10) The Indians have had a rough go of it this year. They have played an extremely tough schedule, but in all honesty, it’s not looking good for PNG at this point as far as winning 20-4a. They should be getting Preseason All Southeast Texas Team catcher Blake Buchanan back for the start of district, which will definitely help their lineup both offensively and defensively. The NDNs still have one of the best pitchers in the area, Rice Signee Zach Harwood, as their ace, but will need help from the other guys on the staff in order to compete for a district title. Nevertheless, we still see the usual big three teams going to the playoffs from 20-4a. 4. Vidor- (7-6) Is this the year a team other than the big three will make it out of 20-4a and into the playoffs? Many believe it is, but we don’t see it that way. The Pirates have had some bright points this season, but haven’t played a schedule that even remotely compares to that of LCM, Nederland, or PNG. No offense to Orangefield, but how is playing in the OF Tournament compare to playing in a Brenham, Woodlands, or Lufkin Tourney. Not much comparison there. With that said, PNG could slip up and let Vidor into the playoffs, but we just don’t see it happening this year. 5. Ozen- (6-7) While the program has come a long way in the last few years, the Panthers have been dealt some bad cards having to play in 20-4a. Sophomore DD Lott has been impressive this year, but he alone won’t be enough for Ozen to make the playoffs. 6. Lumberton- (4-6) The Raiders have not done so well this year, even while playing a weak schedule. Lumberton will come out and play hard as they always do, but it won’t be enough to land them a playoff spot in 20-4a 7. Central- (1-5) What can we say? Central just isn’t a baseball school. The top 3 teams in this district are just on a different level than they are.
grandslam Posted March 13, 2006 Report Posted March 13, 2006 Correction on the Vidor record, they are 7-6 not 5-7.
tripleplay Posted March 14, 2006 Report Posted March 14, 2006 I understand what you mean about the big 3, but the fact is last year was Nederlands first trip to the playoffs in three years. The year before that it was Ozen and before that Lumberton made it two years in a row. Maybe it should be the big two.
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