GHSA Mid-Season Reports: 5A

There have been 4 teams at the top for 5A classification the last several years, Pope, Loganville, Newnan and Houston County. Newnan made an impressive run last season, but the other 3 have been staples in this class for sometime now. There are teams on the come up like Woodward Academy and Thomas County Central. It will be fun to see this class shake out with some of the top contenders in the same region with big games looming like Newnan and Northgate coming up soon.

Pope

I was able to see the Greyhounds this past Friday for a doubleheader as they won both games and swept the 3-game series against River Ridge. Coach Turco and staff have done a fantastic job with this group as they return a strong upperclass group along with an influx of talented sophomores as well as a . Nick Bobrowski set the tone on the mound as he struck out 12 across 5.0 IP with 0 earned runs. Davis Smith followed suit out of the bullpen as he struck out 5 in 2.0 innings-pitched, living in the upper 80’s while boasting pitchability. The lineup 1-9 had base-hits including 4 -hits from Ben Hill and Kayden Campbell. Other upperclassmen that paced the offense were John Cook, Thomas Williams, Jensen Morneau, Brayden Slorahn, and Henry Bauer. A pair of sophomores including Kingston Jones and Cal Pearson have found key roles in the offense as they added hits as well. Pearson showed well in a brief look on the mound in game 2 as he was up to 86. The depth of this team on both sides of the ball really stands out and bodes extremely well for yet another deep playoff run as one of the most well-coached teams in the state.

-Avery

Woodward Academy

The War Eagles made a playoff run last year and have opened the season strong with an 11-3 record including a 9-0 region record. In my look they defeated Decatur by a score of 5-2. A plethora of committed seniors set the tone and bring high-level production to the offense. Names like Chance Dixon, Khalon Davis, and Carson Ray can carry this lineup on any given night while providing strong defensive value as well. Junior two-way Rolan Potts boasts strong production as a key piece on both sides of the ball. A pair of sophomores including Myles Tate and Spencer Norman hold immense projection throughout as they have been steady producers over the years and were pivotal pieces in the win. Another sophomore of note is Graham Reker who was in the 2-hole when I saw them, as he took good swings with nothing to show for it. Upperclassmen, Eli Lyles and Keeler Edwards, showed well and bolsters the depth of the lineup. Sophomore Brian Grant closed things out and looks to be a quality arm for the staff. If the pieces can come together on the mound, this is a squad that can contend and make yet another postseason run.

-Avery

Thomas County Central

The Yellow Jackets have navigated a tough schedule to open the season with an 11-3 record including starting 5-1 in region play. Reid Gainous has been a man on a mission so far this spring with multiple gems on the mound including a pair of no-hitters already while bringing an unquestioned confidence every time he takes the mound. Hudson Williams has made one of the biggest jumps for this team, moving into the leadoff spot for region play with nightly production that has also carried over to the mound as well. Dallas Pitts is as steady as you’ll find while filling another two-way role for Coach Jones and the emergence of Joseph Jensen has given this lineup another run producer in the top half. Landon Walsh and Cooper Chastain offer more upperclass leadership while holding down important defensive roles for TCC. This week’s series again Houston County will be one of the more anticipated matchups in the region and will hold weight as the spring rolls on.

- Ian

Houston County

Coach Hopkins and the Bears are always in the hunt and this year should be no different. He felt good about his group coming into the year, but knew he needed some guys to step up around his core of seniors in the line up. Isaiah Galason, Ethan Kenney, Raymond Bryd and Noah Odom have been long-time contributors in this line up and this year will be no different. Tyson Ganas leads the rotation, and after that it gets pieced together by committee. Freshman Kaiden Harvey has been called on to step up at the top of this order and he is doing just that. Davian Hammonds was a big addition in this line up with plus speed and the ability to close the gaps in the OF with Odom. Houston County will be in the mix come May and are coming off of a big win over one of the top arms in the state.

-Hudson

Loganville

I use the phrase “Loganville is going to be Loganville” often and this year is no different. I was a victim of the phrase in the 2nd round of the state playoffs when I was in high school. They are one of the most well coached teams in the state and each year new players always seem to step up and buy into their culture and style of play. It comes down to 1-9 being extremely tough outs, they make the routine plays and capitalize on mistakes from the other team. This year they are led by senior Jake Boland at the front end of the rotation. Alongside Boland they have fellow seniors Kaiden Howell, Aiden Gorvett and Matt Berardinelli in the line up that are the epitome of Loganville baseball. Straight up gamers that are going to play at 110% at all times. There is depth in the line up with guys like Brantley Carter, Aiden Watson, Caden Palmer and Dawson Allen. Sophomore Tripp Sapp has really stepped up this year after being a role guy as a freshman. He now gives them more depth in the rotation, pitching multiple gems so far this year. Zac Cuneio has really stepped up at the top of the order and had a standout performance against Buford last week. Kayden Quiros is a swiss army knife on the mound, playing many different roles and junior Jeremiah Reiss has stepped up, throwing a ton of strikes so far this year. There is no doubt we will see the Red Devils deep into the 5A playoffs, fighting for a title once again.

-Hudson

Newnan

The defending 5A state champions lost some key pieces from last year’s team including a first-round SS in Dax Kilby and tremendous innings on the mound but with standout two-way Hayes Maginnis leading the returning charge, the Cougars are back rolling as we get into the thick of region. The former Future Gamer and Arkansas commit leads the rotation while providing a power/speed threat at the top of the lineup. Brodie Campbell and Caden Truitt have been as steady as you can find behind Maginnis in the lineup with ability high-OBP profiles that stay on-base. The trio of Reid Davis, Brian Moore and Caden Lamb provide senior leadership that stands out on both sides with above-average defense and much needed stability in the lineup. Pitching is coming together in a hurry behind Maginnis in the rotation with Gordon Sambdman and Ben Roche filling quality roles with the pitchability to trust throughout region play. A pair of sophomores in Wryson Davis and Madden Clark are earning their stripes quickly and showing ability to fill multiple roles. The Cougars started the season 0-3 and have since gone 12-2 since and have a chance to take the region lead with a big week.

- Ian

Northgate

I first got a look at the Vikings last year against Newnan. They were really young and have a strong cast of returners this year. The line up starts at the top with junior Sam Lowe. Lowe is a huge piece for this team, holding down short stop and playing multiple roles on the mound depending on the situation. Senior Justin Cosme is a catalyst in the line up as well as on the mound. The line up is strong 1-9 with Sam Marvin, Turner Houston and Max Threlkeld in the middle that supplies the power. They have speed and athleticism at the bottom in Ledger Clements and Gabe Bowne. Bowne is also a big contributor on the mound. The Vikings are still pretty young, but have the experience to make a splash in this region. We have the Newnan series circled with high implications for seeding depending on the results.

-Hudson

Coffee

The Trojans are 11-5 on the year, playing in a tough region with TCC and Houston. They dropped the series to TCC, but still have Houston on the schedule next week. This offense is strong 1-9 with Ben Fussell setting the tone at the top of the order. Fussell is also a power threat, so if Will Walker and Reid Harden can get on base and get the line up flipped over it will allow Fussell to drive in some more runs. Eli Wood has really stepped up this year and showing well out of the middle of the order. Hunter Klesko was a great addition that is starting to heat up and has a chance to drive in a lot of runs with bats like Jimmy Timothy and Barrett Harrell in front of him. Gavin McElroy is a big 2 way piece that leads the rotation, and if they can get the win with him on the mound it sets the tone for these 3 game region series. The Trojans are well coached and will continue to fight for that top spot in region play so they can get a favorable draw heading into the 5A playoffs.

-Hudson

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