softballdad25

Who do you think would have been Sequatchie's biggest obstacles on the way to Murfreesboro, and how do you think it would have played out in AA?

I saw most of those teams in play day/scrimmage settings. Your rankings look pretty accurate to me. Only change I might make is removing Chatt. Christian, because they lost several seniors from a strong class last season. I would insert Sale Creek somewhere in the list.

Did Turner commit and, if so, where? Ive always thought she was one of the best pitchers around that doesn't seem to get enough publicity.

Very impressive list. You definitely did your homework. For your consideration, Cheyanne Sales, Sr. Catcher for Ooltewah. Kennesaw State signee. Arguably the best power hitter in the Chattanooga area and easily the most impactful player on Ooltewah's roster this past season. Had a somewhat slow start to the season in terms of homers, but hit several down the stretch and in the playoffs.

Turner had an impressive showing in Murfreesboro. What graduation class is she? Is she committed to play college ball?

Let me be clear. Im comparing the two as high school freshmen. Ive watched Rogers several times over the years and I believe she is as good or better than any high school pitcher from Tennessee Ive seen. Berzon is the first pitcher I've seen that reminds me of Rogers as a high school freshman. Both physically exceptional, both have dominating type stuff, and both early, upper tier SEC commits. Berzon has 3 more years to go, obviously, but as a high school freshman, I believe is as good or slightly ahead. Specifically, I would say she throws a little harder than Rogers did as a freshman.

An April 23 Times Free Press article had her at 12-1 with 0.79 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings. The loss was to Siegel.

Move Berzon towards the top of the list. Saw her again this evening and she is easily the most dominant pitcher in the Chattanooga area. Closest comparison I can make is Ashley Rogers. She is that good.

I've seen the vast majority of the girls on that list multiple times, and it is a solid group, but if everyone on that list is in the discussion, Hannah Sanders from GPS and Natalie Pruitt from Walker Valley should be. To date, Golliver and Berzon are the frontrunners, from what I have witnessed. I apologize to the teams from West Tennessee, because I just don't see them that often, but I'll bet there is at least a pitcher or two out that way that deserves consideration.

Whitwell is definitely a factor also. Talented and very experienced team. Wouldn't surprise me if they won it all.

If you're referring to the favorites to win it all in class A, Summertown and Sale Creek should be battling it out again in Murfreesboro. No reason I am aware of to think otherwise.

I'd put Sophie Golliver at the top of the list. ( Junior from Siegel High School), Alabama-Birmingham commit

Saw Summertown play last year in a tournament. They made a good showing against strong/larger schools. Had a fairly young team from what I remember. They are probably the favorite, but Sale Creek will also be a factor. Very talented team with a deep pitching staff. The Whitwell/Summertown game is the most intriguing first round matchup. Whitwell has played extremely tough non-district/region competition this season, and returns most of their lineup from last season's state tourney team.

Gibbs and Meigs are on opposite sides of the bracket. Hard to pick against the defending A/AAA State Champions. Class AA has some really good teams this year that are capable of beating those two, however.

Sale Creek has been the best A team in the Chattanooga area this season. Talented team with a deep pitching staff. Also, don't count out Whitwell. Their record is not great, but they have played outstanding competition and have basically the same roster from last year's state tournament team.

Yes. The 1992 team was actually supposed to be a year away, as it consisted of an extremely small number of seniors, and most starters were juniors. Junior class was large, I think up around 20 players, and very talented. That Kingston game was another one of those where the weather was a factor. Cold and muddy. Marion outplayed Kingston in most statistical categories and had a touchdown called back on a controversial call. I think the score was 12-7. Only game the players on the 1995 team ever lost.

1992 may have been the best collection of games ever played in the finals. Oneida beat Battle Ground Academy in A, Marion County beat Brentwood Academy in AA, and Gallatin over Clinton in AAA. Two huge upsets of public over private in A and AA, and I believe the AAA game was considered an upset by many as well. Great games played in the Clinic Bowl at Vanderbilt.

Have seen Chattanooga Central, Creek Wood, and CAK. Central has the most dominate pitcher of the bunch. Creek Wood is more talented overall than Central. CAK is the most complete team, best hitting team, defending champs, and I believe the team to beat of these three.

Whitwell 8 Watertown 3 Goodpasture 4 Silverdale 2 I know one thing. A betting man would go broke listening to wttigerfan. lol.

ball looks fair to me. definitely couldn't be overturned on replay, lol. as for the girl missing first base, did it even matter?

Meigs was the best team in class A last year and is better this year. Even without the UT commit, they are strong. They may well be the best team in the entire State, although Kings Academy might beg to differ, as they are the only team to beat Meigs so far. Will see Meigs again this weekend in the Soddy Invitational at Warner Park. There are some really strong teams in that tourney, and it will go along way in determining just how good Meigs really is.

Can't comment on Gordonsville or that area, but Silverdale is loaded. Will definitely be in the mix in class A tourney. Marion graduated a strong senior class. Whitwell returns a talented bunch. They should be favorites in that district with Sale Creek also in contention.

Here is my take based upon what I have seen the last few seasons. AAA: Ooltewah is the team to beat. Return most of their players including ace pitcher. Soddy Daisy is next, as they return bulk of players from strong team that was eliminated by State tourney team, Stewarts Creek. Ooltewah had Soddy's number head to head last season, so I'm giving the Owls the nod. Dark horse is Walker Valley. Lot of young talent for the Mustangs, but probably a year away. AA: Chattanooga Central lost a strong senior class, but they have a senior pitcher that is the real deal. They will be in most every game she pitches. East Hamilton is a team that has talent but needs to be more consistent. Red Bank will also be in the mix. Lions have some heavy hitters, and will probably go as far as their pitching takes them. They narrowly missed state tourney last season. Sequatchie County is another team that could make some noise. They can score runs, but not sure about their rotation. Overall, I admit that I didn't see teams in the class enough to put them in a pecking order. A: It's Meigs County, Silverdale Academy, and everyone else. Meigs is the defending champs and the team to beat. They have the best junior Pitcher/hitter to come along in a while. They're lineup is strong even without the aforementioned player. Silverdale is loaded. Talented, deep, and no apparent weaknesses. I watched these two teams play three times in last year's state tourney. Wouldn't be surprised if it happens again. Dark horse(s) Whitwell, Sale Creek. Both of these teams will also compete for a state tourney appearance. Which one can avoid Silverdale in the elimination round will be key. Division II: As usual, It's Baylor and GPS, not just in Chattanooga area, but for the state title. Baylor is two-time defending state champs. Raiders will return a strong team, but lost their senior ace pitcher as well as their top hitter to graduation. GPS returns their roster intact from last year's runner-up team that had no upperclassmen. Bruiser's also add pitcher that is as good as there is in the state. It's Baylor's title until proven otherwise, but this race is going to be one to watch.