By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
Following is a final look at the MaxPreps 2008 national baseball rankings along with medium and small school national rankings based on the MaxPreps computer ranking system.
MaxPreps National Baseball Rankings
1. Plano West (Texas) 40-2
What it did: Defeated Southlake Carroll to win the Texas 5A state championship.
Who got them there: Ben Flora, Sr, P, Dallas Morning News Player of the Year, Texas Sports Writers 5A Player of the Year; Kale Kiser, Sr, IF, Dallas Mornings News all-area team, District 9-5A MVP, Texas Sports Writers 5A second team, Jason Coats, Sr, OF, Dallas Morning News all-area team, Texas Sports Writers 5A first team.
Who returns in 2009: Ryan Ford, all-district sophomore first baseman returns as does all-district junior designated hitter Jeffery Kahn. District 9-5A co-defensive player of the year Donald Plant, junior, returns at third base.
2. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) 31-2
What it did: Defeated John Carroll to win the Florida 3A state championship.
Who got them there: Eric Hosmer, Sr, 1B, Sun Sentinel Broward County player of the year; Miami Herald All-Broward County, Florida Sports Writers Association (FSWA) 3A all-state team; Adrian Nieto, Sr, C, Miami Herald All-Broward County first team; Sun Sentinel All-Broward County first team; FSWA 3A all-state team; Joey Belviso, Sr, OF, Miami Herald All-Broward County first team; Sun Sentinel All-Broward County first team; FSWA 3A all-state team; Juan Carlos Sulbaran, Sr, P, Miami Herald All-Broward County first team; Sun Sentinel All-Broward County first team; FSWA 3A all-state team; Ryan Kahn, Sr, P, Miami Herald All-Broward County first team, Sun Sentinel All-Broward County second team; Greg Conver, Sr, P, Sun Sentinel All-Broward County second team.
Who returns in 2009: Patriots return junior second baseman Eric Acevedo and junior shortstop Deven Marrero, both of whom won All-Broward County first team honors by the Sun-Sentinel. Also back are freshman catcher Brandon Sedell and junior outfielder Jonathan Diaz, who were honorable mention selections.
3. Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs, Fla.) 29-4
What it did: Defeated Park Vista to win the Florida 6A state championship.
Who got them there: D.J. Hicks, Sr, 3B, Orlando Sentinel all-area MVP, FSWA 6A all-state team; Derrick Shaw, Sr, OF, Orlando Sentinel all-area team; Josh Ledford, Sr, Ut, Orlando Sentinel all-area team.
Who returns in 2009: Junior infielder Nick Franklin, an FSWA 6A all-state second team selection, is the top returning player.
4. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) 41-3
What it did: Defeated Durango to win the Nevada 4A state championship.
Who got them there: Brandon Garcia, Sr, OF, 4A all-state outfielder; Donn Roach, Sr, P, 4A all-state pitcher; Paul Sewald, Sr, P, 4A all-state pitcher; John Rickard, Sr, C, 4A all-state second team;
Who returns in 2009: With Gatorade state player of the year and MaxPreps All-American Jeff Malm returning at first base and 4A all-state outfielder Joey Rickard returning next year, Bishop Gorman figures to be one of the top teams in the country again in 2009.
5. Owasso (Okla.) 36-3
What it did: Defeated Moore to win the Oklahoma 6A state championship.
Who got them there: Brian Flynn, Sr, P, state player of the year; Ryan Prickett, Sr, P/OF, Metro all-star; Joe Spring, Sr, OF, Metro all-star, OCA all-state game; James Stanfield, Sr, IF, Metro all-star; Ben Kozma, Sr, C, Metro all-star; Jarrody Huneryager, Sr, OF, Metro all-star
Who returns in 2009: All-Conference players Brandon Bargas, Austin Kirk and Ryan Mayfield return next year for the Golden Rams.
6. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) 25-8
What it did: Defeated Mesquite to win the Arizona 5A Division 1 state championship.
Who got them there: Jake Saylor, Sr, C, Arizona Republic all-state team; Kyle Peterson, 5A all-state second team.
Who returns in 2009: All-state junior first baseman Matt Helm returns for the state champions.
7. Georgetown (Texas) 32-9
What it did: Lost to Plano West in Texas Region 2 finals.
Who got them there: Taylor Jungmann, Sr, P, Texas Sports Writers 5A player of the year; Austin Statesman’s Central Texas player of the year; Erik Miller, Sr, Ut, Austin Statesman All-Central Texas first team; District 14-5A MVP; Morgan Mickan, Sr, OF, All-Central Texas second team; Brad Stone, Sr, SS, all-district.
Who returns in 2009: Returning starters include all-district junior outfielders Jason Stone and Garrett McCulley along with honorable mention juniors Matt Bell and Kyle Osborne.
8. Poway (Calif.) 31-6
What it did: Defeated La Costa Canyon for San Diego Section Div. 4 championship
Who got them there: Drew Leininger, Sr, P, Union-Tribune all-section first team; Alex Dickerson, Sr, OF, Union-Tribune all-section first team;
Who returns in 2009: Titans return all-league players Josh Anderson, Keegan Yuhl, Brett Thomas and Dillon Dooney, all sophomores.
9. Rocky Mountain (Fort Collins, Colo.) 23-4
What it did: Defeated Air Academy for Colorado 5A state championship.
Who got them there: Andy Burns, Sr, SS, Denver Post state player of the year; Alex Kelly, Sr, DH, Denver Post all-state team.
Who returns in 2009: All-state infielder Bryan Peters and all-state outfielder Jake Stewart are both back along with honorable mention pick Marco Gonzales (sophomore, pitcher).
10. Dunedin (Fla.) 26-5
What it did: Defeated South Fork to win the Florida 5A state championship.
Who got them there: Jake Rogers, Sr, IF, Tampa Tribune all-area player of the year, FSWA 5A all-state team; Max Krueter, FSWA 5A all-state team; Clay Kollenbaum, Sr, P, Tampa Tribune all-area team; Cammeron Fisher, Sr, OF, Tampa Tribune all-area team, FSWA 5A all-state third team; Ryan Schneider, Sr, C, Tampa Tribune all-area team; Jamison Sweat, Sr, DH, Tampa Tribune all-area team, FSWA 5A all-state second team.
Who returns in 2009: The state champions return one of the state’s top freshman in infielder Casey Turgeon
11. Simi Valley (Calif.) 25-8
What it did: Defeated Long Beach Wilson to win Southern Section Division 1 championship.
Who got them there: Nick Russo, Sr, P, Southern Section Div. 1 player of the year;
Who returns in 2009: Three all-Southern Section players return including junior shortstop Jonathan Meyer (first team), junior Brent Keys (second team) and junior Drew Sandler (second team).
12. Calallen (Corpus Christi, Texas) 42-1
What it did: Defeated Waxahachie to win Texas 4A state championship.
Who got them there: Logan Verrett, Sr, P, Caller Times All-South Texas MVP, Texas Sports Writers 4A player of the year, District 31-4A MVP; Patrick Frasier, Sr, C, All-South Texas first team, Texas Sports Writers 4A third team; Skyler Hoelscher, Sr, 1B, All-South Texas first team, Texas Sports Writers 4A third team; Derek Hagy, Sr, 2B, All-South Texas first team; Jeramie Marek, Sr, SS, All-South Texas first team; Kris Guerrero, Sr, OF, All-South Texas first team;
Who returns in 2009: Calallen returns one of the top pitchers in South Texas in junior Jordan John, who was a second team 4A pick by the Texas Sports Writers Association. Sophomore DH Roland Resendez, a second-team pick, also returns.
13. Boiling Springs (Spartanburg, S.C.) 25-6
What it did: Defeated Conway for South Carolina 4A state championship.
Who got them there: Jimmy Revan, Sr, P, SCBCA 4A state player of the year; Jeffery Campbell, Sr, C, SCBCA 4A all-state team.
Who returns in 2009: Sophomore infielder Hunter Rice was an all-region selection for the Bulldogs.
14. El Toro (Lake Forest, Calif.) 25-7
What it did: Defeated Redlands East Valley for Southern Section Div. 2 championship.
Who got them there: Mike Barnhill, all-league.
Who returns in 2009: El Toro will be loaded next year with Southern Section Division 2 player of the year Chad Thompson (Jr., P) returning along with all-state infielder Nolan Arenado (Jr, IF) and all-leaguer Dillon Penrase (Jr.).
15. Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.) 43-3
What it did: Defeated Bartletto to win Tennessee 3A state championship.
Who got them there: Michael Williams, Sr, C, Knoxville all-area first team; Matt Ramsey, Sr, P, Knoxville all-area first team.
Who returns in 2009: Farragut should be one of the top teams in the country once again with junior infielder Curt Powell (Knoxville area MVP), junior third baseman Cade Stallings (Knoxville all-area team), junior pitcher Jordan Cooper (Knoxville all-area team) and freshman pitcher Philip Pfeifer (Knoxville all-area team) all returning.
16. Grossmont (El Cajon, Calif.) 29-7
What it did: Defeated Oceanside to win San Diego Section Div. 3 championship.
Who got them there: Derek Baum, Sr, C, All-East County first team; Josh Simms, Sr, 2B, All-East County first team; Charlie Piro, Sr, OF, All-East County first team; Kyle Secciani, Sr, OF, All-East County first team.
Who returns in 2009: Levi Stevens, Jr, P, the pitcher of the year in the Grossmont North League, and junior pitcher Aaron Griffin return.
17. Parkview Baptist (Baton Rouge, La.) 35-4
What it did: Defeated St. Charles Catholic to win Louisiana 3A state championship.
Who got them there: Jonathan Thompson, 3A all-state team; Joshua Janway, 3A all-state team, LBCA 3A state MVP.
Who returns in 2009: Parkview Baptist will be the favorite in the 3A division again next year with 3A state MVP Alex Byo (junior, P), and 3A all-state players Brant Legendre (junior, OF), and Alex Edward (Junior, Ut), all returning.
18. Fayetteville (Ark.) 30-3
What it did: Defeated Har-Ber to win Arkansas 7A state championship.
Who got them there: Taylor Shaddy, Sr, P, 7A state tournament MVP; 7A all-state team; Christian Allan, Sr, 7A all-state team.
Who returns in 2009: Junior pitcher Scott McFall and junior outfielder Franklin Broyles, both all-Northwest Arkansas selections, return to lead Fayetteville in search of a fourth straight state title.
19. James River (Midlothian, Va.) 20-6
What it did: Defeated Colonia Forge to win Virginia 3A state championship.
Who got them there: Austin Stadler, Sr, P/1B, 3A state player of the year; Robert Oldham, Sr, OF, 3A all-state second team; Daniel Marrs, Sr, P, 3A all-state second team;
Who returns in 2009: All-Dominion District junior Austin McGowan returns for the Rapids.
20. Carroll (Southlake, Texas) 30-11
What it did: Lost to Plano West in Texas 5A state championship game.
Who got them there: Ross Stripling, Sr, P, Dallas Morning News all-area first team, Texas Sports Writers second team; Tanner Toal, Sr, IF, Dallas Morning News all-area second team; Ethan Cunningham, Sr, P, all-district.
Who returns in 2009: Dragons return three all-district players – shortstop Zach Bellenger, outfielder Ronnie Mitchell and DH Will Watson.
21. Brookwood (Snellville, Ga.) 34-3
What it did: Defeated Walton to win the Georgia 5A state championship.
Who got them there: Seth Adkins, Sr, C, Gwinnett Daily Post, all-county first team; Jordan Erisman, Sr, P, Gwinnett Daily Post all-county first team; Ronnie Freeman, Jr, C, Gwinnett Daily Post all-county second team; Chase Hawkins, Sr, P, Region 8-AAAAA co-player of the year; Ross Hefley, Sr, IF, Gwinnett Daily Post all-county first team;
Who returns in 2009: Matt Adams, Jr, OF, Gwinnett Daily Post all-county first team and Michael Brown, Jr, P, Gwinnett Daily Post, all-county second team, are back next year.
22. Canon-McMIllan (Canonsburg, Pa.) 21-5
What it did: Defeated Spring-Ford to win Pennsylvania 4A state championship.
Who got them there: Chris Dittmar, Sr, OF, all-section first team.
Who returns in 2009: Matt Pierpoint, an all-section junior pitcher/shortstop is back next year for the state champions.
23. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville, Fla.) 28-4
What it did: Defeated Riverdale to win Florida 4A state championship.
Who got them there: Ken Stalls, Sr, Ut, FSWA 4A all-state second team; Weston Hoekel, Sr, P, All-First Coast second team; Jimmy Howick, Sr, IF, All-First Coast second team.
Who returns in 2009: All-state sophomore outfielder Ben Gamel and all-state junior pitcher Neil McClellan both return for the Crusaders.
24. Snohomish (Wash.) 25-5
What it did: Defeated Kentlake to win Washington 4A state championship.
Who got them there: Derek Jones, Sr, P, Washington media 4A state player of the year; Ethan Hargrove, Sr, OF, Washington media 4A all-state second team.
Who returns in 2009: Snohomish splits into two schools next year.
25. Sarasota (Fla.) 20-3
What it did: Lost to Lakeland in Florida 6A state playoffs.
Who got them there: Casey Kelly, Sr, SS, Sarasota area player of the year; FSWA 6A all-state team; Josh Renfro, Sr, P, FSWA 6A all-state second team.
Who returns in 2009: Junior infielder Ryan Gennett is the top returning player next year for Sarasota.
Medium School National Rankings
These are the MaxPreps computer rankings for medium-school sized teams. Medium schools were determined to be schools that played in state divisions that were within the range of 1000-2000 students. Because of the disparity in state divisions across the country, some allowances were made for schools that ranged below 1000. The ranking below also includes the MaxPreps rating number.
Top 25
1. American Heritage, Plantation (Fla.) 16.4
2. Bishop Kenny, Jacksonville (Fla.) 15.2
3. Bishop Kelley, Tulsa (Okla.) 14.6
4. Salesianum, Wilmington (Del.) 14.3
5. Cathedral, San Diego (Calif.) 14.2
6. Divine Child, Dearborn (Mich.) 14.2
7. Powhatan (Va.) 14.2
8. Northview, Covina (Calif.) 14
9. Blue Valley, Stillwell (Kan.) 14
10. Riverside, Greer (S.C.) 13.7
11. Bishop Amat, La Puente (Calif.) 13.6
12. Highland (Ill.) 13.5
13. Bixby (Okla.) 13.5
14. Seaman, Topeka (Kan.) 13.4
15. Pensacola Catholic, Pensacola (Fla.) 13.3
16. Sylvan Hills, Sherwood (Ark.) 13.3
17. Cartersville (Ga.) 13.3
18. Goodpasture, Madison (Tenn.) 13.3
19. East Central, Moss Point (Miss.) 13.2
20. Clearwater Central Catholic, Clearwater (Fla.) 13.1
21. Brookland Cayce, Cayce (S.C.) 13.1
22. St. Dominic, O’Fallon (Mo.) 13
23. Plymouth North, Plymouth (Mass.), 12.9
24. Maine Endwell, New York (N.Y.), 12.9
25. Loganville (Ga.), 12.8
Small School National Rankings
These are the MaxPreps computer rankings for small school sized teams. Small schools were determined to be schools that played in state divisions that were within the range of 0-1000 students. Because of the disparity in state divisions across the country, some schools under 1000 students were included in the medium school rankings. The MaxPreps ranking below includes the MaxPreps rating number.
Top 25
1. Parkview Baptist, Baton Rouge (La.) 15.6
2. Gardiner (Me.) 14.8
3. Bishop Ryan, Minot (N.D.) 14.2
4. Bishop Luers, Fort Wayne (Ind.) 13.6
5. St. Mary’s-Colgan, Pittsburgh (Kan.) 13.6
6. Red Oak (Okla.) 12.8
7. Wesleyan, Norcross (Ga.) 12.7
8. Sperry (Okla.) 12.5
9. Sumrall (Miss.) 12.3
10. Rochester (Wash.) 12.1
11. Hokes Bluff (Ala.) 12
12. Leroy (Ala.) 11.9
13. Sehome, Bellingham (Wash.) 11.7
14. Calvary Baptist Academy (La.) 11.8
15. Eagle’s View, Jacksonville (Fla.) 11.6
16. Newport (Ore.) 11.5
17. Salado (Texas) 11.5
18. Routt Catholic, Jacksonville (Ill.) 11.4
19. Santa Fe, Alma (Mo.) 11.4
20. Providence, Jacksonville (Fla.) 11.2
21. Pacelli, Columbus (Ga.) 11.2
22. Canton Central Catholic, Canton (Ohio) 11.2
23. Bishop Ward, Kansas City (Kan.), 11.0
24. Wabasso, (Minn.), 10.9
25. Silo (Okla.), 10.9
