theoldman

Here is the way I see it: 1) New Caney, they have one of the best pitchers in the state, period. However after Dean, not sure what they have. Dean can't pitch every game. But NC is the favorite going into the season. 2) Huffman, probably has the best pitching staff in the district. With Listi, Arnold, Sipe and Morris they will be able to keep all arms fresh and ready. Hitting will be the key for Huffman. They have a killer non-district schedule playing almost all 5A power-houses. If the Falcons hit, watch out, not only will they win district but make a lot of noise in the play-offs. 3) Barbers Hill, probably has the best all around team with a very good pitching staff and some big time power at the plate and could potentially win the district if the pitching comes through as hoped. Barrera is the leader of a good returning group of players with big game experience. 4) Crosby, returning 4A team and will battle with the three above for a play-off spot. However, they will come up short. NC, Huffman and BH are just too strong or deep or both. 5) Throw the rest of the district in a hat and take your pick. GP is probably the best of the rest. 6) Smiley 7) CE King 8) Forest Brook Will see how it all plays out, no matter what happens, this will be as tough a district as any in the state to win!!

Big Daddy, Get real, BH will win out and go undefeated in district. BH beat a Crosby team that beat GP by 22. Just doing the math, it would appear that BH will beat GP. I have seen GP this year, BH's defense will shut them down. This comes from a non-BH person. BH has an outstanding defense and an offense that get the job done.

I agree, if Elhert would have started the game, the Bears would have won. He mixed his pitches up and kept the Cubs off balance for rest of the game. However, IMHO, the first reason LCM lost last night was because of a huge error on a play at first which allowed an Cub to score from second. The second reason, tenative base running by the Bears. The Bears had runners in scoring position in two different innings that did not score becuase the runners got bad reads on hard hit line drives. If they are running hard on either hit, at least the tying run would have scored. It was a great game to watch and it is always tough to lose a game that you have double the hits as your opponent.

It was a fun series to watch. Both crowds supported their respective teams. Jasper has a very good club and represented their community with class. In particular, Will Alvis. Will is a fine example of what all parents should hope and wish their kids to grow up and be like. Will is a great kid both on and off the field. He was put in a tough position and competed to the very end. In fact, it looked like the whole team competed to the last out. Not being from Jasper, and being just an observer for a few games, I think the parents, coaches and community of Jasper should be very proud of their baseball team. There is an old saying in baseball circles that goes something like this "Baseball does not build character, it reveals character". Parents and coaches of Jasper, be proud of your kids, they certainly demonstrated a lot of character on Saturday. Good luck to all the Jasper players as they move forward in life.

Huffman will return Listi and Arnold. If given a chance, Sipe will suprise alot of folks. They should compete in their new 4A district with BH. Supporting cast will have to grow up in a hurry!

I have seen both HF and BH play this year. These teams are evenly matched. When swinging the bats, both can score. Each team has kids that can mash, hitting is a dead heat. Defense looked solid on both teams, again even there. Pitching will make the difference, as it always does. I would have to give a very very slight edge to BH on the pitching front. I think BH's pitching is a little bit deeper, but very young. It will be a very good series. I think it will go to three games. It is definetly a "pick-em" series, too close to call. But let the smack continue, it makes for good reading!! Good Luck to both teams, I will be pulling for BH because they come out of 23-3A.

Go to the UIL web site for the bracket.

Who ever comes out of Region 3 to Austin will be battle tested. Take a look: THSBCA State Ranking 1-Bridge City, Region 3 5-Lufkin Hudson, Region 3 6-Hutto, Region 3 7-Huffman Hargrave, Region 3 Four of the state's top ten teams, plus un-ranked Columbus. Columbus has two of the top pitchers in the area according to the Houston Chronicle. I know there are a lot more un-ranked teams in Region 3 that are very good. Who ever survives should give Carthage a run at the Championship. Good Luck to everyone in the playoffs!!

Bagley is back and will be starting tomorrow night! Listi is waiting in the wings if necessary. The Falcons can smell their first out right district title. The Falcons are playing this one for old man Bagley, who will be getting pitch by pitch action via the phone. They will be ready!

NE Christian has a very good coach, Larry Floyd. Look for them to improve every year that he is there.

Baseball aside, everyone please keep the Bagley family in their prayers. They lost their home (total loss) to fire yesterday and Mr. Bagley is in the hospital with 2nd degree burns to a large portion of his body. Good news is that he is expected to have a full recovery. It will be a painful recovery all the way around. We all have fun with the rivialry between Huffman and Barbers Hill, but I know the good people of Barbers Hill will keep the whole Bagley family close to their hearts in this difficult time. I hear Jamie is scheduled to pitch Thrusday, hopefully he can use the game to escape from the reality of life. Good Luck to both teams!! Here is a feel good story I just heard about, when you think Matress Mac has done it all, he is at it again. Someone called him and shared the tragedy of the Bagleys, he is sending them a house full of furniture to relplace what was lost in the fire (no charge). Another good friend that happens to have an empty townhouse has offered it to the Bagleys while they re-build. Maybe there is hope after all!

Doesn't look good for tonight, or the rest of the week for that matter. No official word as of yet, but it looks like the big battle will have to wait a little longer. Cleveland may be a wildcard, I hear they beat Bridge City this year. WOW Congradulations to Chris Morris, signed with Pensacola JC, Jamie Bagley, signed with San Jacinto JC, both had signing ceremonies yesterday. It is final, Andy Mena will be playing baseball for Army next year at West Point. Great job you guys and good luck in the future!!

It should be a good one. Bagley could be back! If so, Huffman will dominate.