Louisiana: Northshore, Barbe among top teams

Parkview Baptist, Evangel Christian also begin season No. 1 in state high school baseball preseason rankings.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Kevin Askeland
By
Feb 21, 2010, 12:00am
Defending champs received five of the seven No. 1 rankings in the preseason state rankings released by the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association earlier this month, including Northshore (Slidell, La.), Parkview Baptist (Baton Rouge, La.), Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport, La.), Oak Hill (Hineston, La.) and Claiborne Christian (West Monroe, La.).

Class 5A
The Panthers defeated Dutchtown (Geismar, La.) 7-2 for the state 5A title last year and finished the season with a 35-2 mark. While MLB draft pick Chad Fortenberry is gone, two other all-metro players return in Taylor Eads and Ryan Eades.
Barbe shortstop Garin Cecchini.
Barbe shortstop Garin Cecchini.
Courtesy of Barbe High School.


Barbe (Lake Charles, La.) occupies the No. 2 spot in the preseason rankings thanks to the presence of Garin Cecchini at shortstop. Ranked as one of the top infielders in the country by Baseball America, Cecchini is one of two (Eads is the other) returning 5A all-state players from last year.

Dutchtown also figures in the mix with returning all-district players Jesse Buratt at utility and Chris Boutwell at pitcher.

Class 4A
Defending champion Zachary (Zachary, La.) is no longer around, having moved up to the 5A level. As a result, runner-up Houston (Lake Charles, La.) returns to the top spot in the rankings.

Sam Houston was No. 1 for much of last year in the 4A rankings but was upset 5-2 in the finals by Zachary and ace pitcher Zach Von Rosenberg.

Houston loses 4A state pitcher of the year Phillip Menou, but returns junior infielder Evan Powell. Belle Chasse (Belle Chasse, La.) could give Houston its toughest competition with the return of infielder Keith Hedrick and pitcher Matt Reichenau.

Class 3A
Parkview Baptist is the perennial favorite here and this year is no different as it starts the season at No. 1 despite losing four all-state players, a state pitcher of the year in Andrew Reeves and a state player of the year in Alex Byo. Brooks Godberry, an all-district outfielder, is the top returning player.

Notre Dame (Crowley, La.) comes in at No. 2 and has two talented returning players in all-state junior pitcher Austin Robicheaux and senior utility Ryan Leonards.

Class 2A
Evangel Christian is the clear favorite in Class 2A after winning the title last year with a 2-1 victory over Sterlington. State MVP Bronson Gillam, who went 13-1 on the mound, returns to lead the way along with all-state catcher Brandon Spencer (.444) and all-state utility Connor Castellano (.473).

St. Charles Catholic (LaPlace, La.) drops from the 3A level to 2A and could make it tough on Evangel Christian. Three all-state players return in junior pitcher Jared Keating, junior outfielder Brady Hitt and senior utility Brandon Becker.

Class 1A
Northlake Christian (Covington, La.) won the title 1-0 over Mangham last year, but Ouachita Christian (Monroe, La.) starts the season in the No. 1 spot.

All-district players Mark Laird and Hayden Robinson at utility, Paul Michael Garner in the infield and Colby Webb in the outfield all return for Ouachita Christian.

Northlake Christian returns all-state pitcher Bryan Picou, along with all-district pitchers Zac Hawkins and Juan Diaz, catcher Tyler Clark, infielders Seth Laigast and Jordy Bloodsworth, outfielders Chris Craighhead and utility Brandon Cazaubon and Ryan Pfefferle.

Class B
Oak Hill defeated Anacoco 6-4 for the title and starts the season at No. 1. Micah Perkins, a sophomore who hit .442 last year, is the top returning player, along with Tyler Thiels.

Class C
Claiborne Christian is the easy choice for the top spot thanks to the return of four all-state players, including state MVP Jake Bell. Also back are Kip Robinson (.420), Forest Spillers (.323) and Taylor Moore (.300).

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