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2025 NC High School Previews: Volume X

February 23, 2025
Brandon Hall
NC / MId-ATL Director of Scouting

The 2025 North Carolina high school baseball season is quickly approaching and we’re taking the time to preview the spring ahead by analyzing the top players and programs from each corner of the state.

This offseason, we distributed a preseason questionnaire to North Carolina’s varsity head coaches to help give us a snapshot of the top state contenders, and we’re providing our own analysis on each of the teams’ top prospects and season outlook in these team previews. Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across North Carolina. Each week we will be releasing our Power 25, Players of the Week, Diamond Notes, the Scout Blog and much more.

Our 2025 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Fred T. Foard Tiger


Head Coach: Channon vogel
State Classification: NCHSAA 3A
Conference: western Foothills 3A
2024 Record (Finish): 19-6 (lost in 3rd round)

Key Players Lost: Braxton Tramel (ECU, Sean Jenkins (ECU)

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

2025 Team Roster: https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/newton/foard-tigers/baseball/roster/
Team Strengths: The Tigers will be a team evolving throughout 2025.
No. of Returning Starters: 4
No. of Returning Pitchers: 1

X-FACTOR

+ Youth. The program has a history of player development. How quickly can some of the young players, filling big shoes, get up to speed with the expectations of being a post-season contender.

PREP BASEBALL’S TEAM OUTLOOK

Impact Seniors:
+ Landon Setzer
+ Kaden Adkins

Impact Juniors:
+ Jackson Dentel

Underclassmen to Watch:
+ AJ Vogel, 2027

BOTTOM LINE

+ Expect the Tigers to grow throughout 2025. They will have a chance to be a much stronger and deeper team as they acclimate to the schedule and expectations of 2025.

Find more information on the 2025 Fred T. Foard program below:

High School: Hibriten Panthers


Head Coach: Mason Biddix
State Classification: NCHSAA 3A
Conference: Northwestern 3A/4A
2024 Record (Finish): 12-12 (Lost 1st Round - AC Reynolds 6-2)

Key Players Lost: Palmer Tucker, Ryan Winkler, Dylan Earp, Kenyen Ferguson

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

2025 Team Roster: https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/lenoir/hibriten-panthers/baseball/roster/
Team Strengths: Pitching Depth / Experience
No. of Returning Starters: 6
No. of Returning Pitchers: 6

X-FACTOR

+ High expectations will be led by the experience on the mound. With 6 returning arms with time on the bump in ‘24, there should be an ability to mix and match throughout a lineup, giving the offense some time to get rolling.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

+ Owen Miller, C, 2027

PREP BASEBALL’S TEAM OUTLOOK

Impact Seniors:
+ Micah Dalton, UNC Pembroke commit
+ Micah Greer, Pfeiffer commit
+ Holden Woodward, Caldwell CC commit
+ Jon Spears

Impact Juniors:
+ Trevor Hedrick
+ Julius Martin
+ Braxtyn Conn
+ Graham Minton
+ Xander Laws
+ Tanner Moore

Underclassmen to Watch:
+ Owen Miller
+ Ashton Woodruff
+ Maddox Marley

BOTTOM LINE

+ The roster has depth. The pitching staff has experience. Can a couple of players take that step and become the catalyst for the offense, creating opportunities for the offense to strike quickly and with force throughout a game.

Find more information on the 2025 Hibriten program below:

High School: Hickory Red Tornadoes


Head Coach: David Craft
State Classification: NCHSAA 3A
Conference: Western Foothills
2024 Record (Finish): 8-13

Key Players Lost: Matthew Lefevers/ Isaiah McDowell

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

2025 Team Roster: https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/hickory/hickory-red-tornadoes/baseball/roster/
No. of Returning Starters: 4
No. of Returning Pitchers: 2

X-FACTOR

+ Team Defense. It may take some time to develop depth on the bump. The ability to make routine plays, giving the staff confidence by working in the strike zone will go a long way.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

+ JB Young, INF/C, 2027

PREP BASEBALL’S TEAM OUTLOOK

Impact Seniors:
+ Ellis Chappell OF.. Wingate football signee
+ Tayshaun Scott Infielder- Caldwell Community College signee

Impact Juniors:
+ Maddox McRee RHP - NC State commit
+ Darrow Holder C

Underclassmen to Watch:
+ Ronan Nieland Soph OF/RHP
+ J.B. Young Infielder/ Soph

BOTTOM LINE

+ Athleticism is present. Execution in the box and on defense will key a turn around in 2025.

Find more information on the 2025 Hickory program below:

High School: West Henderson Falcons


Head Coach: Jackie Corn
State Classification: NCHSAA 3A
Conference: Mountain Seven
2024 Record (Finish): 21-5 (3rd Round)

Key Players Lost: Graduated 12 seniors

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

2025 Team Roster: https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/hendersonville/west-henderson-falcons/baseball/roster/
Team Strengths: Chemistry, Work Ethics
No. of Returning Starters: 3
No. of Returning Pitchers: 4

X-FACTOR

+ There are a ton of innings and at-bats to replace. A good foundation was laid by the departing seniors and this group should understand the path to success.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

+ Grayson Davis, INF, 2027

PREP BASEBALL’S TEAM OUTLOOK

Impact Seniors:
+ Logan Oliver-Pitcher.

Impact Juniors:
+ Brady Duvall-Pitcher/Outfield
+ Greyson Payne-Pitcher/Infield.

Underclassmen to Watch:
+ Jackson Stepp
+ Grayson Davis

BOTTOM LINE

+ Coming off two fantastic years, the Falcons turn over a lot of the roster. That may not change internal expectations, but this group may take some time to acclimate to their new roles. Look for the Falcons to be a better 2nd half of the year team as they continue to develop.

Find more information on the 2025 West Henderson program below:

High School: West Wilkes Blackhawks

Head Coach: Drew Ward
State Classification: NCHSAA 2A
Conference: Foothills
2024 Record (Finish): 13-11 (Lost 1st round to West Davidson 2-1)

Key Players Lost: Harrison Holbrook (UNCP), Bo Nichols (Caldwell CC), Brady Penland (Caldwell CC)

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

2025 Team Roster: https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/millers-creek/west-wilkes-blackhawks/baseball/roster/
Team Strengths: Experience & Team Speed
No. of Returning Starters: 10
No. of Returning Pitchers: 5

X-FACTOR

+ The offense should have plenty of ways to score with solid team power and team speed. There will be pressure on opposing defenses.

PREP BASEBALL’S TEAM OUTLOOK

Impact Seniors:
+ Zeb Shepherd, CF/LHP
+ Grayson Townsell, CIF/RHP
+ Jacob Wagoner, 2B/OF
Impact Juniors:
+ Hayden Gentry, 3B/C/RHP
+ Eli Johnson, C/RHP
+ Braydon Vickers, OF/LHP
+ Logan Sharpe, 2B
+ Keaton Parker, OF/RHP

Underclassmen to Watch:
+ Cohen Taylor- FR, SS
+ Easton Allen- So., CIF/RHP

BOTTOM LINE

+ The Blackhawks check a lot of the boxes to be a solid team. Starting pitching, experience, quick strike ability offensively are all pointing in the right direction. How quickly and how well they take care of some of the small things on a daily basis will lend to this team being good or very good.

Find more information on the 2025 West Wilkes program below:

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