Bracket offers potential tasty matchups in 2nd round

[KFDM COOP]

Bracket offers potential tasty matchups in 2nd round

Watch out for Klein when it's time to decide title; Cy-Fair's Collier is 10-0

Who is the favorite in Region III-5A?

Atascocita is the highest-ranked team in the area, but it's difficult to call any team in Region III a prohibitive favorite. Teams that must be considered contenders for the regional title are Alvin, Atascocita, Baytown Sterling, defending state champion Cy-Fair and Lamar. Teams that can't be counted out include Elkins, Katy, Memorial, Pasadena Memorial and Westside.

Can a Houston-area team win the Region II-5A title?

Yes. Klein, which ended the season ranked 10th in the state, has been one of the most consistent teams in the area this season. The Bearkats have a ton of offense (averaging 9.4 runs per game) and they have one of the area's best pitchers in Matt Purke. Defending regional champion Klein Collins, Klein Oak and The Woodlands should also be factors in Region II.

Who are the strongest teams in 4A?

Barbers Hill and Brenham appear to be the Region III favorites. Barbers Hill has one of the deepest pitching staffs, led by Ross Hales, Hunter Silva and Kendall Thamm. Brenham is one of the best hitting teams in the area, with a .374 team batting average, and is led by Kyle Mangan (.475 average, nine homers, 29 RBIs), Justin Preuss (.443, 20 RBIs) and Kyler Crenshaw (.443, three homers, 37 RBIs). Other teams to keep an eye on are Friendswood, Lamar Consolidated and Santa Fe.

Who are some of the Region III-5A dark horses who could make deep playoff runs?

Brazoswood, Langham Creek and Katy Taylor look like teams that could make some noise. Brazoswood finished second in 24-5A, one of the area's toughest districts, and has a promising young pitching staff led by junior Colton Lindloff and sophomore Tyler Green. Langham Creek came on strong toward the end of District 17-5A play and is balanced with good hitting (.333 team batting average) and solid pitching (2.81 team ERA). Katy Taylor has pop at the top of the order, led by Taylor Featherston, and a capable pitching duo in Cliff Archibald and Travis Martin.

Which potential matchups are the best?

If Atascocita and Alvin win their first-round series in Region III-5A, they would meet in what should be a fantastic second-round series. Lamar and Langham Creek would also be an intriguing second-round battle, while Baytown Sterling and Elkins could be a good regional quarterfinal. In Region III-4A, District 18-4A rivals Brenham and Montgomery could meet in the regional quarterfinals, while district champions Barbers Hill and Friendswood could meet in the same round on the bottom half of the bracket.

• • •

Players to watch

Hunter Cervenka, pitcher/infielder, Baytown Sterling: The southpaw Texas signee boasts a 1.51 ERA and 87 strikeouts on the mound and a .431 average with six homers and 23 RBIs at the plate.

Tommy Collier, pitcher, Cypress-Fairbanks: He's loaded with playoff experience, having led the Bobcats to the 5A state title last year as their primary Game 1 pitcher. He has been even better this year: 10-0 with a 0.54 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 65 innings.

Matt Purke, pitcher, Klein: Purke is one of the best juniors in the area, if not the state and has been the Bearkats' ace this year. He's undefeated (7-0) and has the potential to rack up double-digit strikeouts on any given night.

Anthony Rendon, infielder, Lamar: Rendon plays a solid shortstop and has one of the best bats in the area. The Rice signee led 5A hitters in the area with a .571 average this season and has five homers and 44 RBIs.

Taylor Wall, pitcher, Westside: The Rice signee is part of one of the area's best pitching duos (along with UH signee Michael Goodnight). Wall is 9-1 with a 0.80 ERA and 76 strikeouts this season.

• • •

First-round matchups to watch

Langham Creek vs. Cinco Ranch

Game 1: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Langham Creek. Game 2: 11 a.m. Saturday, Cinco Ranch. Game 3:* 30 min. after Game 2

Kempner vs. Brazoswood

Game 1: 8 p.m. Friday, Baytown Sterling. Game 2: 3 p.m. Sat., Baytown Sterling. Game 3:* 30 min. after Game 2

The Woodlands vs. Tomball

Game 1: 7 p.m. Friday, Tomball. Game 2: 4 p.m. Saturday, The Woodlands. Game 3:* 30 min. after Game 2

Clements vs. Clear Lake

Game 1: 8 p.m. Friday, Deer Park. Game 2: Noon Saturday Deer Park. Game 3:* 30 min. after Game 2

Beaumont West Brook vs. La Porte

Game 1: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Barbers Hill. Game 2: 2 p.m. Saturday, Barbers Hill. Game 3:* 30 min. after Game 2

* — If necessary

[MIF04]

Nice article...FYI:  Hunter Cervenka and Tommy Collier will be playing with SE Tx Sun Devils this summer as will Ross Hales, Hunter Silva and Kendall Thamm  Purke is a 'maybe'.

[MIF04]

Nice article...FYI:  Hunter Cervenka and Tommy Collier will be playing with SE Tx Sun Devils this summer as will Ross Hales, Hunter Silva and Kendall Thamm  Purke is a 'maybe'.

While this is not finalized and we expect to pick up a few additional players, this would be the older Sun Devils team (listed by those who played varsity ball this year):

1. Hunter Cervenka (Baytown Sterling) LHP/OF (committed to Texas)

2. Tommy Collier (Cy Fair) RHP/1B (committed to San Jac)

3. Ryan Gephart (Midway McGregor) OF (committed to Missiouri)

4. Ross Hales (Barbers Hill) LHP (committed to Texas A&M)

5. Trey Haley (Nac. Central Heights) RHP (committed to Rice)

6. Brett Marshall (Baytown Sterling) RHP/SS (committed to San Jac)

7. Hunter Silva (Barbers Hill) RHP/3B (committed to San Jac)

8. Landon Steinhagen (Kelly) C/1B (committed to Howard JC)

9. Kendall Thamm (Barbers Hill) LHP (committed to Angelina)

10. Shawn Blackwell (Clear Creek) RHP (Jr. – nationally ranked #192)

11. Ryan Gunhouse (Clear Creek) C/3B (Jr. – nationally ranked #384)

12. Brady Landry (Sulphur) 3B (Jr. – nationally ranked #284)

13. Dane Phillips (Nac. Central Heights) C (Jr. – nationally ranked #40)

14. Alex Rocha (Barbers Hill) RHP (Jr. – nationally ranked #300)

15. Taylor Terrasas (Santa Fe) MIF (Jr.)

16. Kirby Bellows (Nederland) LHP/IB (Soph)

17. Jacob Felts (Orangefield) C (Soph)

18. Will Henderson (West Brook) INF (Soph)

19. Trae Hester (Vidor) LHP (Soph)

20. Aaron Morgan (West Brook) C (Soph)

21. Joe Robertson (Bridge City) INF (Soph)

22. Jace Statum (Orangefield) OF (Soph)

23.        Shane Waddell (LCM) RHP (Soph)

24. Manny Rodriguez (Van Fleck) RHP/C (Frosh)

25. Ronnie Sanchez (PA Memorial) RHP/3B (Frosh)

I am sure that I have missed some (as I am doing this by memory and late at night).  One of our coaches this summer has been asked (and accepted) a role as a scout for the Philadelphia Phillies.  Another ‘new’ hand is a former scout for the Cincinnati Reds (scouted Jay Bruce, for example).  We also have the son of the Director of Scouting for the NY Mets…the head guy.  This will amplify what is already an outstanding learning experience for all these players as well as our younger “up and coming" 14U group.