The 2016 high school baseball season for northeast Georgia teams was one of the more successful in recent memory. In fact, compared with the last decade, only the 2015 season -- which saw three teams play for state titles -- clearly surpassed last season.
Four teams advanced to the quarterfinals or better and eight teams advanced to the second round. Though there were no state titles for area teams, Buford did play for the Class AAAA state championship before falling to Locust Grove. History was made with Jackson County advancing to the Class AAA semifinals for the first time ever, and Gainesville made the semifinals for a third consecutive season.
The 2017 season, however, could see more northeast Georgia programs looking to rebuild. With five new coaches also taking the reins, including at Jackson County, where Tommy Fountain stepped down moments after the Panthers’ historic run ended at Blessed Trinity, there will be several new faces in charge. Also consider that seven other area coaches are in just their second season with their respective schools.
Jon Brewer takes over at Chestatee; Eric Fowler is now at East Hall; Tedd Sims is at East Jackson; Heath Kennedy takes over at Flowery Branch; and Jonathan Gastley succeeds Fountain at Jackson County.
Even powerhouses Gainesville and Buford, while not sporting new coaches, will not be immune to the changes. Both teams lost several key contributors to their successful runs from the last two seasons and will be looking for early-season answers on the mound especially.
That said, there is still plenty of talent in northeast Georgia -- in fact more than enough to make for some exciting days to come. And with the new region and classification realignments from GHSA, fans can expect the unexpected as new rivalries and powerhose regions have been created. Region 8-AAAA, which houses Jefferson -- a state finalist in 2015 -- had five of the six teams make the playoffs in 2016. Region 7-AAA now has Greater Atlanta Christian and North Hall added to an already talented field.
In Region 8-AAAAAA, Gainesville will still have to contend with Winder-Barrow, which is nationally ranked this season, and Dacula is dropping down from the largest classification after missing out on the playoffs by a game in 2016. Region 8-AAAAA has a pair of teams in Buford (AAAA) and Loganville (AAAAA) that lost in the state championship series in 2016.
We can't wait to see which teams will be the surprise of 2017. AccessWDUN will get the season started Monday as we head to North Hall for the season-opener as the Trojans take on Flowery Branch at Jody Davis Field.
Let's "Play ball!"
Below is a preview of northeast Georgia area teams that information was made available to us. Teams are listed in alphabetical order:
2017 BASEBALL PREVIEWS
BANKS COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Tom Kelley, 2nd season, 10-15
-- REGION: 8-AA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 10-15, reached first round Class AAA playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 9
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. C/1B Judd Roberts, Sr. CF Walker Rogers, Sr. CF Easton Staton, Sr. P/IF Zane Millwood, Sr. P/IF Austin Disharoon, Sr. P Dylan Nix, Sr. OF/DH Kelan Dalton (2nd team All Region 7-AAA in 2016), Sr. IF Jadon Clark, Jr. P/OF Grant Rylee, Jr. IF CJ Thomas
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Leopards are coming off their first playoff appearance since 2009 and should be able use that experience, along with nine returning starters, to make another serious playoff run in 2017. They also return three of their top pitchers from last season giving them some quality depth on the mound. But, 8-AA could be one of the most balanced regions in Class AA with five of the seven teams -- Social Circle, Rabun County, Monticello, Oglethorpe County, Banks County -- all coming off playoff runs in 2016.
BUFORD
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Tony Wolfe, 21st season, 421-177
-- REGION: 8-AAAAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 32-5, finished as Class AAAA state runner-up
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. C Nathan Haines, Sr. OF Tanner Alexander, Jr. C/DH/1B Noah Ledford, Sr. P Frank Bradshaw, Sr. P Zach Fordham, Sr. P/SS Tyler Perkins, Sr. 3B Akira Mitchell, Sr. OF Michael Gelb, Sr. 1B
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Wolves are coming off a pair of state championship appearances, including the Class AAAA state title in 2015, the last two seasons. The 2017 edition will be very young and inexperienced with just three position players returning that started in 2016. As with most teams, as goes your pitching so goes you and the Wolves lost virtually their entire staff from last season. Coach Wolfe said they were in a rebuilding mode as they start the season and expects to have a fluid lineup as he tries to find the right combinations. A tough non-region schedule should help them get ready for region play and Wolfe said they should be competitive to challenge for a playoff spot.
CHESTATEE
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Jon Brewer, first season
-- REGION: 7-AAAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 11-15
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 7
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. Sean Irick, Jr. Joe Sutton, Sr. Austin Sargent, So. Will Cantrell, Jr. Micah Flannigan, Sr. Braxton Nicholson, Jr. Reggie James
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The War Eagles are a program trending up despite the recent changes. Brewer and his staff have spent much of the offseason getting to know his new team, which is experienced and should be improved over 2016, which was improved from the 2015 season. The War Eagles will be in the same region with 2016 Class AAA state runner-up Blessed Trinity and playoff teams West Hall and Marist and may be fighting with White County for that last playoff spot. A tough non-region schedule should help them get ready for region play.
COMMERCE
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Steve Cotrell, 9th season, 124-97
-- REGION: 8-A
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 16-10
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. P/3B Mathew Flint (.352, 18 RBI), Sr. P/C Cade Overstreet (.275, 4 HR, 17 RBI), Sr. P/OF Cole Chancey (.304 BA), Jr. P/INF Charlie Ledford, So. INF Chandler Martin, Jr. P/OF Jarrett Seay
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Tigers return several experienced players in Flint, Overstreet, and Chancey but the key to the season could be a slew of underclassmen, especially on the mound. Region 8-A is traditionally tough, evidenced by a stellar record last season by the Tigers but not making the playoffs in the final Class A Public power rankings. Cotrell said they have potential to be better in 2017 but it could come down to the maturity of the team as a whole as the season goes along.
DAWSON COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Dwayne Sapp, 2nd season, 22-9 (443-174 overall)
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 22-9; Region 7-AAA runner-up, reached second round Class AAA playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 7
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. Austin Young (.427 BA, 4 HR, 34 RBI), Sr. Noah Davis (6-3, 2.83 ERA, 58 K), Jr. Conner Bearden (.333, 1 HR, 22 RBI; 5-1, 3.08 ERA 33 K), Sr. Kolton Brumbelow (.347, 4 HR, 18 RBI), Sr. Jacob Gloeckner (.418, 1 HR, 19 RBI), Sr. Brise Henson (.295, 5 HR, 23 RBI), Jr. Palmer Sapp .423, 6 HR, 44 RBI; 5-3 3.40 ERA, 40 K)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Tigers put together one their best seasons in program history last season and are looking to keep things on an upward trend in 2017. Of course, they’ll be without OF Tyler Maxwell, who is expected to be roaming the outfield for Georgia this season. Sapp and Davis should anchor an experienced pitching staff but the offense, behind Young, Brumbelow, Henson, and Sapp, should again be potent after scoring 10 or more runs 15 times last season despite the loss of Maxwell. Look for the Tigers to challenge for a playoff spot and a region title in what should a very tough Region 7-AAA, especially with the addition of North Hall and Union County, both playoff teams from last year.
EAST HALL
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Eric Fowler, first season
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 9-16
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 6
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. P/OF Luke Cooper (.333 BA; 2.53 ERA; 1st team All-Region 7-AAA), Levi Crocker P/OF (.382 BA; 1st team All-Region 7-AAA), So. P/UT Trevor Rider (.306 BA; 2nd team All-Region 7-AAA)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Vikings will be under new management but they also return several key players from a team with plenty of young talent. Cooper, Crocker, Rider give them a solid core on the mound to go with an offense that at times put up some big numbers last season. The region will be tough once again, especially with North Hall and GAC entering, but expect the Vikings to be competitive for a playoff spot.
EAST JACKSON
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Tedd Sims, first season
-- REGION: 8-AAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 4-22
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. P/CF Austin Thomas, Fr. C/INF Josh Adair, Sr. SS/2B Walker Brooks, Jr. 1B Nick Clapper, Jr. P/INF Wes Bruce, Jr. P/INF/OF Brian Puckett, Jr. C/OF Patrick Madden, Jr. INF Zach Howington, Fr. P/OF/ Josh Compton, Fr. P/INF/OF Caleb Adair, Fr. C/OF Jake Varner, Sr. P/OF Cody Nix, Jr. P/3B Luke Hadden, Sr. P/OF Triston Webb
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Eagles have a new coach but also have a mix of youth and experience that could make them an unknown in a tough region. Sims said his group is hungry to compete and with six seniors on the roster they should be more competitive. Whether they can compete for a playoff spot will depend on finding some consistent pitching to go with what could be an improved lineup.
FANNIN COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Jon Ayres, second season, 9-16 ( 29th year overall, 324-274)
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 9-16
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 7
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. P/1B River Dixon, So. P/SS Chandler Kendall, So. P/INF Hunter Gray (.379, 20 RBI, .515 Slugging)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Rebels were competitive in 2016 and return enough on the mound and at the plate to be competitive again this season. However, they will once again be in a very tough region. Pitching will be the key after yielding over seven runs a game in 2016. Finding road wins also will be a key after going 1-10 away from Blue Ridge last season.
FLOWERY BRANCH
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Heath Kennedy, first season; 206-89 overall
-- REGION: 8-AAAAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 9-15
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. P Preston Felt, Jr. P JC Sewell, So. P Zachary Wagner, Sr. INF Dalton Strickland, Jr. INF Anthony Grutadaurio, Sr. C Andrew Reichart, Jr. UTL AJ Gonzalez, Sr. OF Cam Holmes, Sr. UTL Sean Akins
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Despite just two returning starters, new coach Kennedy said the Falcons have a lot of versatility from an overall roster that saw significant playing time last season. The Falcons have a challenging early season schedule that should help them build toward the region schedule. But 8-AAAAA should be tough and balanced with Buford (AAAA) and Loganville (AAAAA)-- who both lost in state championship series -- as well as Clarke Central to battle with for a playoff spot.
GAINESVILLE
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Jeremy Kemp, 8th season, 211-47
-- REGION: 8-AAAAAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 29-7, Region 8-AAAA champions, Class AAAAA semifinalist
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 5
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. SS Banks Griffith (.372 avg., 7 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 1 HR, 34 Runs, 25 RBI, 10 SBs, .453 OBP), Jr. P Collier Scott (.269 avg., 6 2Bs, 1 HR, 32 RBI, 26 Runs, 6 SBs, .411 OBP; Pitching, 1.41 ERA, 7-1, 54.1 IP, 41 Ks), Jr. C Jared Smith (.290 avg, 5 2Bs, 1 3B, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 30 Runs, 10 SBs, .393 OBP), Sr. OF/P AJ Smallwood (.273, 8 RBI, 14 Runs; Pitching 1.86 ERA, 2-2, 2 Saves, 30 IP, 24 Ks, 14 GP)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Red Elephants have been one of the most consistently-strong programs in the state under Kemp, making region titles and deep postseason runs the norm. Yet Gainesville figures to be a slightly different team in 2017. After featuring a powerful line-up capable of going deep from a lot of positions, the Red Elephants plan to utilize more station-to-station baseball this season. That also means Gainesville will be aggressive once they get on base, looking to steal at any opportunity. Moving up to Class AAAAAA should not prove much tougher than the former Region 8-AAAAA schedule they faced. One of their old 8-AAAAA rivals, Winder-Barrow, made the jump with the Red Elephants to 8-AAAAAA and is amongst some national rankings in 2017. Gainesville will also need some new arms to step up in the pitching rotation after graduating some key starters.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Chris Akridge, 8th season, 57-124
-- REGION: 8-AAAAAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 4-22
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 6
-- KEY PLAYERS: OF/LHP Jarred Jones, INF/P Brandon Mitchell, P/INF/OF Cole Wilbanks, P/INF Colby Jones
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Akridge and the Raiders, despite the record, feel this is a group that could be ready to make a move. They will be in a very tough region with Class AAAAA semifinalist Gainesville and nationally-ranked Winder-Barrow in the region. Of course, pitching depth will be a key.
JACKSON COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Jonathan Gastley, first season; (136-84 overall)
-- REGION: 8-AAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 20-17, reached Final Four in Class AAA
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. P/INF Chris Griggs, Sr. P/INF Zane Corley, Sr. P/OF Caleb Mathews, Sr. INF Mason Williams, Sr. P/OF Tyler Barber, Sr. P/UT Kyle Maxwell, Sr. P/INF Connor Meyers, Sr. INF Elijah Butler, Sr. INF Chandler Saine
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Panthers are coming off their best season in program history and was just one win from playing for a state title. They lost several key starters off that team and will also be sporting a new coach in Gastley. But, they also return several players that saw significant time last season. Griggs and Corley played huge roles last season and will have to have solid seasons, especially on the mound, as they look to fill the rotation. They also have 13 seniors on the roster that have been in the program and they should battle for a playoff spot again.
JEFFERSON
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Tommy Knight, 13th season
-- REGION: 8-AAAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 21-9, Region 8-AAA champions, reached second round Class AAA playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: So. P/1B Lane Watkins (.346 BA,10 RBI), So. P/OF Zac Corbin (.361 BA. 521 OBP), Jr. OF Justin Cole (.390 BA), Jr. P Patrick Hickox (2 wins, 4 saves, 1.57 ERA), Sr. P Brooks Beddow (3 SV, 3.00 ERA), Sr. SS Kasen Rainey (.940 fielding percentage), Sr. OF Chaz Evans (.291 BA)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Dragons have been as consistent as anyone the past few seasons, including playing for the Class AAA state title in 2015. But Knight said this year’s group is more inexperienced than in recent seasons, though there is still plenty of talent. They are moving into a tough region where five of the six teams advanced to the playoffs in 2016 with St. Pius making the quarterfinals. Look for the Dragons to improve as the season progresses and challenge for a playoff spot by season’s end.
JOHNSON
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Jared Hodge, 4th season
-- REGION: 8-AAAAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 1-25
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 7
-- KEY PLAYERS: So. C Freddy Denard, Sr. 1B Payden Grizzle, So. 2B Caleb Hatcher, Sr. P/SS Ramon Munoz, Jr. 3B Tim Smith, Sr. P/OF Chandler Barkley, So. OF Daniel Anglin
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Knights are hoping to rebound after a rough 2016 campaign but return most of the roster. They are still young with just three seniors but come into the season with loads of varsity experience. They have several good returning bats in the lineup so if the pitching comes around they should be much improved. Coach Hodge said challenging for a playoff spot is the goal.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Deuce Roark, 17th season, 224-222
-- REGION: 8-A
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 5-20
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. P/1B Rob Hamby, Sr. P/C Josh Henderson, Sr. INF Brannon Browner, Sr. P/C/OF Bailey Whitlock
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lions will once again be young overall but also have experience returning at several key positions. Coach Roark said senior leadership will be a key to improving on the 2016 campaign. Finding some early starters and bringing them along is a priority for Roark, he said. Region 8-A should be tough once again and the Lions will need to find some consistent offense after averaging just 3.75 runs a game last season. However, they were close losing eight games by three runs or less in 2016.
LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Dustin Allen, 8th season, 90-88
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 12-14
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: So. C/3B Jace Seabolt, Jr. P/INF TJ Rider, So. P/OF Dalton Stephens, So. UTL Geo So. CF Araiza, Connor Pierce, So. P/INF Matthew Grizzle, So. P/INF Jacob Martin, Sr. P/1B Julio Romero
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Indians were young in 2016 playing seven freshman yet were in playoff contention until the final weekend. Now, those players come into this campaign with experience with eight players seeing significant action last year. It will still be an uphill battle with a balanced and tough region schedule but with five hurlers returning with time on the mound last year the Indians could be a team to watch out for late in the season if they find some early success.
NORTH FORSYTH
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Jim Cahill, 15th season, 268-183-1
-- REGION: 5-AAAAAAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 19-11, reach Sweet 16 of Class AAAAAA playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. SS Tyler Sheley, Jr. P Tucker Daniel, So. OF Carter Mullikin, So. P Brody Westbrooks, Jr. INF Evan Johnson, Jr. P Tyler Fairchild, Jr. P/1B, Kyle Martin, Jr. P/3B Caelan Thomas
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Raiders are coming off another solid playoff run but return just four starters and will have some inexperience at key positions. They do return four hurlers that saw action last year. Coach Cahill said they should be able to compete for a region championship in what should be a tough Region 5-AAAAAAA that includes powerhouse Lambert.
NORTH HALL
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Trent Mongero, 11th season
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 21-10, reached Sweet 16 of Class AAAA playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 8
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. SS/P Taber Mongero (Pre-Season 1st team All-State selection, .386, .945 fielding; Gardner Webb University Commit), Jr. P/3B Reese Olson (Pre-Season 1st team All-State selection, 7-1, 1.84 ERA; Garner Webb University Commit), P Corban Meeler (4-2, 2.60 ERA; Truett McConnell College Commit), P/1B Jackson Latty (.309, 4 HR, 27 RBI), 2B/3B/P Austin Adams, RF/CF John Mark Montgomery, CF/P Dylan Lavender, C/2B Wesley Smith, P/OF/1B Caleb Clark
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Trojans return eight players that started at various times throughout the season in 2016 and should have plenty of experience to draw from. They should find out quickly their strengths and weakness during what Mongero calls the toughest non-region schedule he has put together in his 11 seasons at the helm. Staying healthy will be a key and if they can keep their rotation in tact they have a chance to compete for a playoff spot and a region title in what is expected to be a balanced region.
RABUN COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Justin Clutter, second season, 11-15 (213-123 overall)
-- REGION: 8-AA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 11-15, reached first round Class AA playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 5
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. OF Josh Sego (11 RBI), Sr. OF Johnathan Carver (.263 1 HR, 9 RBI), Jr. SS/PChase Horton (.312, 22 RBI; 3-4, 3 SV, 43.1 IP, 25 K, 20 BB 4.04 ERA), Jr. C/3B Gavyn Jones (.391 19 RBI), Jr. C Adam Harrup (.228 8 RBI), Jr. 2B Johathan Henson (.222, 10 RBI), Jr. 1B/P Grayson Lane (1-5, 31.2 IP, 20 K, 4 BB, 3.31 ERA), So. SS/P Kasin Old (2-0, 16.1 IP, 13 K, 6 BB, 3.42 ERA), So. OF/P Austin Jones (.309, 18 RBI; 3-1, 1 SV, 43 IP, 45 K, 20 BB, 3.36 ERA)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Wildcats return almost all of their front-line pitching from a team that improved over the course of 2016. The offense also should be improved. But, both on the mound and at the plate they will need some of the younger players to step up as the season progresses. However, despite a tough region, Clutter expects his group to challenge for a playoff spot once again.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Mike Hutch, 6th season at Riverside, 28th overall, 58-52 (486-345 overall)
-- REGION: 8-A
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 11-10
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. C James Basham, So. INF Greg Stroyne, Jr. RHP Alex Kerns, Jr. RHP Noah Reisenfeld, Jr. RHP Matthew Adams, Sr. INF Lyle Lopez, So. OF Thomas Olander
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: With only three starters returning and just two seniors on the roster the Eagles are very much a young squad. Basham and Lopez are already providing great leadership, however, and coach Hutch is impressed with the work ethic and attitude in preseason training. Moving down a classification from 8-AA should not make things any easier in a tough 8-A, and it will be interesting to see how a team with so many new faces gels over the early going.
STEPHENS COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Greg McCall, third season, 42-35
-- REGION: 8-AAAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 10-16
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. SS Kooper Briley (3-year starter, signed with Kennesaw State), Jr. C Bryson Fowler, So. P/INF Dawson Sorrells, Sr. OF Cole Morgan, Jr. P/3B Chaz Bridges, Jr. P Zach Boyd, Jr. P/2B Kole Rogers
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Indians should be more experienced after a rebuilding year in 2016. Briley is one of the better players in northeast Georgia and should lead an offense that was up-and-down last year. They scored 9 or more runs seven times but also were shut out four times. They do return four of their top pitchers. However, 8-AAAA may be the toughest in the classification where five of the six teams made the playoffs in 2016.
TOWNS COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Shannon Floyd, 3rd season
-- REGION: 8-A
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 5-21
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. P/SS Will DeVries, Sr. P/1B Adam Barrett, Sr. CF Major Moss, Jr. SS Zach Davenport, Sr. C Jackson Taylor, Jr. P/INF Dalton Key
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Indians started well last season but things quickly spiraled, and Towns County finished off the pace in the GHSA Class A Power Ratings. The Indians bring back ace DeVries, but the big question is when will Barrett return? The senior standout is still recovering from a broken ankle suffered during basketball preseason and is expected back during the baseball schedule. Expect improvement from this program this season.
UNION COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Robby Roxbury, 2nd season
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 19-9, Region 8-AA champion, reached quarterfinals Class AA playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 6
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. P/C/1B RJ Banton, Jr. P Candler Colwell, Jr. P Cole Davis, Jr. SS Patrick Baggett, Jr. 3B Crawford Colwell, Jr. CF Candler Colwell, Sr. C/DH Dawson Groves
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Panthers certainly earned plenty of top-level experience last season en route to the the Class AA quarterfinals. Most of that team was made up of sophomores -- who are now juniors expected to take leadership roles. Certainly Union County is going to need those players after the graduation of Joe Mancuso and Lance Rich, the team's top two pitchers and hitters from a season ago (Rich was a four-year starter, Mancuso a three-year starter). That's not even mentioning the move up to Class AAA, including a Region 7-AAA that figures to include plenty of talented opposition. Banton, Colwell and Davis could make a strong rotation, but the Panthers need one of those players to step up and be the No. 1 option.
WEST HALL
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Chad Sage, 2nd season, 17-11
-- REGION: 7-AAAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 17-11, reached first round Class AAA playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 5
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. P/1B Charlie Cochran, Jr. P/INF Jeffery Jenkins, Sr. SS/3B Tanner Ahmad, Sr. SS/2B Erik Ayala, Jr. C/2B Carter Lott, Sr. CF Cole Wilson, Jr. OF Cameron Shirley
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Spartans had a solid first season under Sage but will have to overcome the loss of six seniors from last year’s group. The move up to 7-AAAA will be a tough one with Blessed Trinity (2016 Class AAA state runner-up) and Marist (2nd round AAAA) along with improving teams in White County and Chestatee. A tough non-region schedule should help prepare the younger Spartans for a run at the playoffs.
WHITE COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Josh Bartlett, second season, 13-17
-- REGION: 7-AAAA
-- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 13-17
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. P Aaron Bennett (tied for team-lead in wins, 3, in 2016), Sr. P/3B Jay Taylor (led the team in home runs in 2016), Sr. OF/IF Dylan Ward, Sr. P/1B Cameron Robinson
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Despite missing out on the playoffs in 2016, the Warriors finished strong winning 9 of their last 11 games to build some momentum for this season. They are a young team overall but should be competitive in the region. Bennett, Taylor, and Robinson all pitched significant innings last season and they have several key position players returning that saw significant time on the field as well.
