It is that time of year again... the North Carolina Baseball State Playoffs.  In total, we will be following 8 state tournaments, each a single elimination format (in 2024 -- seriously -- still single elimination!?!?).  In the preview below will be up to date brackets with expected schedules, plus thoughts and picks from our Prep Baseball Scouting Staff.

NCHSAA 2A Tournament Preview

WEST REGION BRACKET

WEST REGION SCHEDULE

1st Round: Tuesday May 7, 2024
2nd Round: Friday May 10, 2024
3rd Round: Tuesday May 14, 2024
4th Round: Friday May 17, 2024
West Region Finals: Best of 3 May 20 - 25, 2024

WEST REGION TOP SEEDS

#1 Burns
#2 East Rutherford
#3 Morehead
#4 Forbush

CINDERELLA STORY - WEST REGION

From our team of scouts, a look at the bracket to see if any teams outside the Top 10 seeds could make a run.

Brandon Hall, NC/Mid-ATL Scouting Director:

This is a very top heavy bracket where I think the top seeds have more talent overall and by a pretty big margin.  Anything can happen in a single elimination tournament but I think the top 7-8 seeds have separation.  Inside the top 8... different story and there should be some great games.

Patrick Johnson, NC Asst Scouting Director:

Anything can happen in single elimination games but top seeds are the powerhouses in this years tournament. Look for good games outside ot of the top 10 seeds but I still believe that the top seeds will show their true colors throughout the tourney. 

Zach Boraski, NC Asst Scouting Director:

A top heavy bracket where in a single elimination game anything can happen. Even with top teams being powerhouses I believe if anyone is going to make a run it is RS Central.  A old group who is coming in to the playoffs with a 20 win season under there belt.

SCOUTS PICKS - FINAL FOUR & WEST REGION CHAMPION

Brandon Hall:

No. 1 Burns vs. No. 4 Forbush
No. 6 Randleman vs. No. 7 West Stanly

Region Championship
No. 1 Burns vs. No. 7 West Stanly

Region Champion
No. 1 Burns in 2 games.

Patrick Johnson: 

No. 1 Burns vs. No. 2 Forbush
No. 2 East Rutherford vs. No. 7 West Stanly

Region Championship
No.1 Burns vs. No. 2 East Rutherford

Region Champion
No.1 Burns in 2 games

Zach Boraski:

No. 1 Burns vs. No. 4 Forbush
No. 3 Morehead vs. No. 2 East Rutherford

Region Championship
No. 4 Forbush vs. No. 2 East Rutherford

Region Champion
No. 4 Forbush in 3 games.

EAST REGION BRACKET

EAST REGION SCHEDULE

1st Round: Tuesday May 7, 2024
2nd Round: Friday May 10, 2024
3rd Round: Tuesday May 14, 2024
4th Round: Friday May 17, 2024
West Region Finals: Best of 3 May 20 - 25, 2024

EAST REGION TOP SEEDS

#1 Greene Central
#2 Whiteville
#3 North Lenoir
#4 Midway

CINDERELLA STORY - EAST REGION

From our team of scouts, a look at the bracket to see if any teams outside the Top 10 seeds could make a run.

Brandon Hall, NC/Mid-ATL Scouting Director:

There are a couple of higher seeds that could create some early trouble for the favorites.  One to keep an eye on will be Farmville Central.  I think they have challenged themselves in the regular season with their schedule and they should be prepped for anything they see in the post-season.

Patrick Johnson, NC Asst Scouting Director:

I like the top seeds to stay in form but look out for Farmville Central to cause some trouble throughout the tourney. 

Zach Boraski, NC Asst Scouting Director:

The top seeds should make there into the finals, however I could see East Carteret making a mini run.

SCOUTS PICKS - FINAL FOUR & EAST REGION CHAMPION

Brandon Hall:

No. 1 Greene Central vs. No. 4 Midway
No. 6 South Granville vs. No. 2 Whiteville

Region Championship
No. 1 Greene Central vs. No. 2 Whiteville

Region Champion
No. 1 Greene Central in 3 games.

Patrick Johnson: 

No. 1 Greene Central vs. No. 4 Midway
No. 2 Whiteville vs. No. 3 North Lenior

Region Championship
No. 1 Greene Central vs. No. 2 Whiteville

Region Champion
No. 1 Greene Central in 3 games

Zach Boraski:

No. 1 Greene Central vs. No. 4 Midway
No. 2 Whiteville vs. No. 3 North Lenior

Region Championship
No. 1 Greene Central vs. No. 2 Whiteville

Region Champion
No. 1 Greene Central in 2 games

SCOUT PICKS - NCHSAA 2A STATE CHAMPION

Brandon Hall:

Burns and Greene Central have both had magical years.  Burns is looking to repeat and the toughest task is to get back to the championship series.  If they do, I think they may play their best two games of the year.  They are deep and talented and Burns is my pick to win the 2A Championship in 2 games.

Patrick Johnson:

Burns is just too tough on the mound and has depth in the lineup, its hard to repeat a State Championship but everything is falling into place for Burns and they are playing their best baseball at the right time. 

Zach Boraski:

A talented group on the mound, Campbell, Conrad and Maines will be tough to beat in any series. They have challenged themselves with a good schedule and I think it will pay off for them.  Forbush in 3