SETXSPORTS TOP TEN (WEEK TEN)

[MIF04]

And so here we are...the regular season ends and the playoffs begin. For the Top Ten, we end here with our last poll for 2006 -- recognizing that from here on out we play for only one poll: the Texas State Championship. Good luck to all.

With 1 part sadness, but 2 parts optimism, here is the last Top Ten of the year:

1. LCM

The Bears are one of the best teams SE Texas has seen in some time. They are experienced, and talented. LCM presents top level pitching with quality hitting and stellar defense. Expectations were high for this team and, so far, they have met them. Next come the playoffs and a run through the toughest 4A region in the State. The reward? A trip to Austin...which may be in the cards for these Bears come June. They are that good.

2. BRIDGE CITY

The preseason #1 has not disappointed although (pitching aside) they have been (at times) inconsistent on offense and defense. The Cardinals destroyed their district foes where, many times, the biggest suspense was whether those games would go the full 7 innings. There is not a 3A team in the State that has their pitching. Angelle is anybody's ace while Haymon, Stringer and Meeks provide solid mound support. With standouts like Dishon, Jackson and Coleman adding offensive support, BC is lining up for a repeat trip to Austin

3. NEDERLAND

The Bulldogs have been one of the 'feel good' stories of the 2006 season. Preseason, they had lost too much, were in too tough a district and were picked to barely sneak into the playoffs, if at all. Instead, the 'Dogs stood 'toe to toe' with our #1 (LCM) and the nation's #1 (The Woodlands). They played as tough a schedule as anyone in 4A and, with that experience, they stand ready for all the pressures the playoffs can bring.

4. WEST BROOK

The Bruins won 20 games, and find themselves all dressed up with nowhere to go. No one questions the Bruins' ability to swing the bat (they hit nearly .350 as a team) but the feared lack of depth in their pitching corps caught up with them during district play. The silver lining is that next year's edition will return 4 of their 5 leading hitters (Ferguson, Serna, Murphy and Armstrong) along with their 3 starting pitchers (Murphy, Serna and Svoboda). Tough lament -- wait 'til next year.

5. SILSBEE

The Tigers prove the oldest adage in the game -- pitching wins. Riding the strong arms of Joel Schooling and Kevin McDonald, Silsbee knocked off preaseason state-ranked Jasper and wrestled the district crown away from the Bulldogs. There are a lot of very good teams lined up in 3A's Region III...and Silsbee, with their pitching, is one of them.

6. HUFFMAN

The Falcons earned the bye, winning their district and vanquishing BH twice in the process. Like every other team in Region III, Huffman is staring down the barrell of Bridge City but a lot can happen in the playoffs. Whether it happens here only time will tell.

7. WOODVILLE

The Eagles continue as the 'class' of 2A and are prepared for another run to Austin. Branden Riley and crew stand poised to give Coach Hennigan another crown. Good players, good coach....all the ingredients to make up a recipe for a state championship.

8. JASPER

While most teams wouldn't be disappointed with the Bulldogs' season, you can rest assured that up north Jasper considers their injury-riddled 2nd place district finish unacceptable. It is a long fall from the #3 team in the State to a playoff underdog but remember this -- these 'Dogs are the only 3A team to play BC close and that makes them dangerous.

9. BARBERS HILL

BH possesses a glistening season record, with 2 tough losses to Huffman costing them their chance at a district championship. Those losses, though, flipped the Eagles into a tough bi-district series with #10 Hamshire-Fannett.

10. HAMSHIRE FANNETT

Once the darling of SE Texas, the Longhorns have ridden a roller coaster of late. A late season loss to HJ cost HF the 2nd place slot, pushing them into an underdog role in their bi-district matchup vs. Barbers Hill. By this time next week, one really good team will be at home.

And that's it for 2006. Thanks for the ride, but the real ride is just beginning.

[jdawg03]

interesting...Huffman falls below Silsbee......

also, besides playing BC close,Jasper has also played Hudson close with Belt on the mound....all they need is a little momentum and things could turn around for the Dawgs

[MIF04]

Silsbee ran the table in district and that includes the 2 wins over Jasper.

[SilsbeeD]

you have done a great job all year mif04 with these rankings

[adminbaberuth]

you have done a great job all year mif04 with these rankings

It's alot of work, thanks mif04.

[jdawg03]

no doubt...MIF04 is the man

[BHFAN]

Silsbee ran the table in district and that includes the 2 wins over Jasper.

Huffman ran the table in district which included two wins over BH. BH beat Silsbee twice once in a scrimmage and once in the year. ??????? The playoffs will straighten all of this out regardless!

[jdawg03]

yea I still think I have Huffman ahead of Silsbee....Jasper basically gave Silsbee both of those games they won, either by errors or walks.....Jasper lead both going into the last inning...just could not close them out......

[hfaninthestands]

yea I still think I have Huffman ahead of Silsbee....Jasper basically gave Silsbee both of those games they won' date=' either by errors or walks.....Jasper lead both going into the last inning...just could not close them out......[/quote']

oh come on jdawg...you are such a homer....you try to spin the unspinnable....jasper has yet to beat anyone on this list...

sometimes you have to give credit where credit is due.... say with me slowly.....Silsbee owns Me, and my Dawgs...

[jdawg03]

Im not gonna deny it...I am a homer.....but everyone already knows that lol...thats why im not doing the rankings

[SilsbeeD]

lol

[ladyhorn08]

congrats HF

lets take the win over BH

[NeDeRlAnD b-DoG fAn]

i have liked the ranking all year......great job MIF04

[Bobcatfan4life]

Yeah man you did an awesome job this year with it!!

[GeauxTigers]

Very dissapointed that the Horns finished the year like that. A tale of two seasons (2004) started off slow and tore it up in the 2nd half and playoffs going to the regionals. (2006) Started off hot, playing the right teams at the right time, and crumbling towards the end. Why is that? Anyway Congrads to the Horns for a good year, but you have to step it up come playoff time!!!

[MIF04]

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.

[BHFAN]

BH takes #10 and #5 out

Like I said earlier the playoffs will straighten all of this out. 8)

[uniden]

I dont see BH taking out the #2 though.

[KFDM COOP]

I agree! BC to strong.

[BHFAN]

You never know :shock: Alot said we wouldn't even be here to play BC.

[ESPN]

True you have had a good year. But really you should be there since you guys really have 4A Numbers now. :wink:

[BHFAN]

True you have had a good year. But really you should be there since you guys really have 4A Numbers now. :wink:

Your killing me Are you cutting and pasting that on every thread?