The NCHSAA Tournament has entered its Regional Final stage.  There are 4 teams at each classification that can taste the championship dog pile.  Below we breakdown the 4A Regional Finals with a look at each club and our scout's thoughts on what could be coming this week.

NCHSAA 4A Regional Final Previews

WEST REGION

TUE 5/21 -- Charlotte Catholic at TC Roberson
THUR 5/23 -- TC Roberson at Charlotte Catholic
SAT 5/25 -- Charlotte Catholic at TC Roberson (if needed)

HOW THEY GOT HERE

No. 1 Seed - TC Roberson

The defending state champion has played a very challenging schedule throughout the 2024 season.  While there were some ups and downs, this club has come out on the other end battle tested and tough.  They have a plethora of arms they trust in any situation and the lineup is created to create pressure throughout the game.

Path to the Regional Final
+ Northern Guilford - 6-0
+ Wedding - 4-2
+ Ragsdale - 7-0
+ West Forsyth - 8-5

No. 13 Seed - Charlotte Catholic

Playing with a roster that has a solid mix of older and younger talent, there were high expectations entering the 2024 season.  Dealing with a log jam of talent, and getting players into roles can take time... The Cougars figured it out in time to make a late run in their conference season, followed by winning their conference tournament title.  That late season run has continued as the "Cardiac Cougs" have used late game heroics in several rounds to get to the Regional Final.

Path to the Regional Final
+ East Forsyth - 4-3
+ Myers Park - 6-3
+ Cox Mill - 5-0
+ Alexander Central - 4-3

West Region Bracket

EAST REGION

TUE 5/21 -- Cardinal Gibbons at Ashley
THUR 5/23 -- Ashley at Cardinal Gibbons
SAT 5/25 -- Cardinal Gibbons at Ashley (if needed)

HOW THEY GOT HERE

No. 1 Seed - Ashley

The Screaming Eagles took a big jump at about the half way point of the year as they hit their stride in conference play.  In one of the most competitive confereces year in and year out, Ashley began to put up some dominating wins.  Pair this with the sprinkling of some solid out of conference matchups and Ashley began to believe.  As they work through the state playoffs, there have been several close games, two going to extra innings, but Ashley has belief that this could be the year.

Path to the Regional Final
+ Pine Forest - 10-0
+ Millbrook - 7-5
+ Holly Springs - 4-3 (11)
+ Pinecrest - 3-2 (9)

No. 22 Seed - Cardinal Gibbons

Gibbons enters the state playoffs with a below .500 record.  After being swept by Broughton, the Crusaders would finish the regular season going 3-1, losing their final game to Leesville Rd.  By luck of the draw they would get Leesville again to opent the tournament, followed by Broughton.  At times a familiar opponent can create some relaxation as you know what you are getting into.  In those games the offense scored a combined 20 runs and the magical run to the Regional Final was set. 

Path to the Regional Final
+ Leesville Rd - 9-3
+ Broughton - 11-1
+ DH Conley - 2-0
+ Wake Forest - 7-6

East Region Bracket

PRE-TOURNAMENT PREDICITIONS - REVISITED

CINDERELLA STORY - WEST REGION

Below is what our team of scouts wrote prior to the tournament.  We have underlined areas where they were on to something and crossed out areas that were way off.  See how they did.

Brandon Hall, NC/Mid-ATL Scouting Director:

There are a number of double-digit seeds that could disrupt the brackets.  The West is very tight in terms of talent from top to bottom.   Weddington will not flinch in a 2nd round matchup with TC Roberson. West Forsyth has depth in the order and a true ace, with another arm developing his ace stature. Charlotte Catholic has played a very tough schedule and may be rolling into the tournament off the best conference tourney run. South Meck has Cam Bagwell, a SR RHP that can neutralize lineups very quickly.

Patrick Johnson, NC Asst Scouting Director:

Plenty of teams have a solid number 1 that can beat any team but its the depth on the mound and in the lineup that will make the difference. West Forsyth has the hitters to support their true ace. Charlotte Catholic seems to be hitting stride at the right time. Watauga plays tough with solid pitching and hard outs in the box. Look for Alexander central to pull off a first round upset against South Caldwell. 

Zach Boraski, NC Asst Scouting Director:

Anything can happen and any team can get hot. Momentum is key in the playoffs and the ability to make the routine play will come in big. The West is very talented with some big names at the top. Marvin Ridge has a chance to play spoiler due to arm depth and a legit middle of the order hitter in Nico Soul. West Forysth wont shock me with the mound depth and talent they have, could keep games very tight.

SCOUTS PICKS - FINAL FOUR & WEST REGION CHAMPION

Brandon Hall:

No. 10 South Meck vs. No. 14 Charlotte Catholic
No. 1 TC Roberson vs. No. 4 Reagan

Region Championship

No. 4 Reagan vs. No. 10 South Meck

Region Champion
No. 4 Reagan in 3 games

Patrick Johnson: 

No. 10 South Meck vs. No. 4 Charlotte Catholic
No. 1 TC Roberson vs. No. 12 West Forsyth

Region Championship
No.1 TC Roberson vs. No. 10 South Meck

Region Champion
No.10 South Meck in 3 games

Zach Boraski:

No. 3 Myers Park vs. No. 2 Cuthbertson
No. 1 TC Roberson vs. No. 4 Reagan

Region Championship

Myers Park No. 3 vs No. 4 Reagan

Region Champion

No 4. Reagan

UPDATED PREDICTIONS

Brandon Hall -- TC Roberson in 3 and Ashley in 2

Patrick Johnson -- Charlotte Catholic in 3 and Ashley in 2

Zach Boraski -- Charlotte Catholic in 3 and Ashley in 3