Southern Hills Athletic Conference Predictions

[sox]

Here we go;

Division I
Eastern Brown
Peebles
West Union
North Adams
Lynchburg-Clay

Division II
Fayetteville Perry
Fairfield Local
Whiteoak
Manchester
Ripley-Union

The conference will be much improved this year with some young talent. Eastern lost 1 senior from last season and will be the favorite to win the conference this year. Denying Fairfield Local the outright title and gold ball, Eastern returns their arm in the circle (Mariah Johnson) and their all-league catcher (Shelby Mullins). Add all-league sophomore teammates (Kayla Seigla (4 HRs) and Mikayla Purdy), this is a team that will have its best chance to go deep in tournament play and surpass the school's best finish in history.

Fayetteville stays strong as well this year. Returning conference leading hitter Claire Carson and all-league teammate Whitney Boothby this team proves to be a strong league competitor. They add a junior transfer I hear is playing softball this season...(Carson). All around good athlete and very physical. Not clear on incoming freshman class in this group.

Fairfield loses their arm in the circle, but if I know the guys up north, they have already groomed a replacement. Having coached a JH team against this group last year, they will be adding some young talent that will continue to bolster this program. I look for them to finish at the top of the conference again this year.

Whiteoak brings back a world-traveled arm in the circle in Sosbey this season. Adding some critical young talent will surely see this team finishing above .500. Looking forward to watching this team develop as the season progresses. They made some noise in tournament play last season that I am sure brings some excitement to this season.

Peebles adds some young talent as well this season. They were able to field a JH team year that I saw improve from the beginning of the season to the end.

North Adams adds the critical arm in the circle in Jade Spriggs (Freshman). This will be the workhorse for the next (4) years and I am sure she is up to the challenge. Had the opportunity to coach this kid in her early travel ball years. Great attitude and great parents to boot! Look for North Adams to make some noise!

[Ironman92]

Is Swayne going to play for Peebles?

[Gopher]

Is Swayne going to play for Peebles?

My guess is YES ! Don't see why she would come back to Peebles just to sit out her senior year.

Lynchburg has a new coach that I hear has been working them hard. Not supposed to have great pitching, but is planning on making up for it on the defensive side. A good defense can keep you in games.

[sox]

I understand OHSAA has a no penalty return policy. I would say we will be seeing Swayne on the field this season. Either way, I am excited about the competition level (specifically pitching) for the conference this year. What a great opportunity to see some great talent!