By Todd Bradley, DCSportsFan.com
Special to MaxPreps.com
The Paul VI Panthers have set their sights high for the 2008 baseball season. They are determined to surpass the 2007 season and their trend-setting, three-year record of more wins (77-17) than any other school in the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area and twice earning national rankings.
In 2007 alone, Paul VI’s Panthers won both the WCAC regular season title and the conference tournament; they finished 27-4 overall after being upset in the state semifinals. It was the third consecutive year of making it to the WCAC conference championship game and the fourth year in a row of making it to the state semifinals or state finals.
What’s making 2008 look so good? Returning players and their arsenal of pitching, power, speed and defense.
While many teams would wince if they had to face Paul VI’s lineup, competitors in the WCAC and Virginia State Association are ready and waiting. Three teams in the WCAC have been nationally ranked during the past three years. Three teams from the Virginia State Association have recently had the same honor.
Paul VI’s schedule poses another challenge. The Panthers are likely to play over 30 games in less than 9 ½ weeks, which translates into four or more games a week, plus travel, plus weather changes, and yes, academics. This rigorous schedule requires self-discipline, the drive to excel, willingness to make sacrifices and an abundance of physical and mental stamina.
"We know we have a pretty talented returning group of players," sixth-year coach Billy Emerson said. "What’s most important about them is that they are serious about academics and baseball. We tell them what it’s going to take at Paul VI to compete in our conference. We set out our expectations at the outset. These kids want to be part of something great. They buy into the program we’ve built here. And we go from there.”
Emerson says the coaching staff instills in its players something Whitey Herzog is known for: “Two things don’t mean anything in baseball—last year and yesterday.
“Here at Paul VI, we break things down into one day, one pitch, one inning at a time and not get too high or too low," Emerson said. "We just try to get better every day. We count on the guys giving their best every day. A big part of our philosophy here is whatever you do, be the best at it every time, every day. We tell them, ‘Even when taking out the garbage for your parents, be the best at it.’ That attitude is what makes a difference.”
During the first week of the season, Brett Bowers hit a home run over the bleachers to win the game for the Panthers. It was a tremendous hit. What does he do the next day at practice? He shows up first.
“It’s not everyday you see someone who just accomplished something great arrive early the next day, back at it, full steam ahead. That’s our team in a nutshell," Emerson said.
Todd Bradley is the Editor-in-Chief of www.dcsportsfan.com, which covers high school athletics in the Washington, D.C. area. E-mail Todd at editor@dcsportsfan.com.