South Point, West Lincoln favored in local baseball conferences

South Point and West Lincoln are slim favorites to win their respective conference baseball titles.

South Point received four first-place votes in the Big South 3A Conference preseason coaches’ poll for a total of 34 points, edging Crest by one point. The Chargers received the other three first-place votes.

Both teams will be in action as the Big South schedule starts tonight. South Point visits North Gaston, Crest plays host to Kings Mountain, and Hunter Huss travels to Forestview.

South Point won the Big South with an 11-1 record last season and returns eight starters from that team, including their top two pitchers in Weston Lawing and Jeffrey Springs. The Red Raiders also return their top hitter in senior shortstop Ryan Huneycutt.

Crest went 9-3 in the league last year for a runner-up finish. The Chargers have nine seniors on the roster, including centerfielder Julian Ridings and infielder/pitcher Jacob Tisdale.

Forestview was a close third in the poll, followed by league newcomer Kings Mountain, North Gaston, Ashbrook and Hunter Huss.

The Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference coaches are expecting a competitive league race, as four teams received first-place votes. West Lincoln, East Lincoln and North Lincoln received two first-place votes each, while Cherryville snagged the other.

West Lincoln led the balloting with 30 points, with East Lincoln just two points back, North Lincoln three behind and Cherryville four points back.

West Lincoln tied Cherryville for second place last season and returns three starters, led by pitcher/third baseman Trey Drewery, who batted .515 and pitched to a 6-2 record. East Lincoln won the league with a 15-1 record last season but returns only two starters: centerfielder Jarrett Ross and shortstop Jake Carter.

The optimism in North Lincoln stems from seven returning starters, including Lander signee Johnny Walker at catcher/pitcher and Louisburg signee Drew Belk on the mound and in the infield.

Cherryville returns seven starters from a team that reached the 1A West finals. Pitcher/outfielder Thomas Bess is among the key returnees after batting .320 and logging a 6-4 pitching record.

Bessemer City was a close fifth in the poll, followed by Lincolnton and Highland Tech.

SPC action was originally scheduled to begin Friday but rain forced the postponement of all three games. Highland Tech at Lincolnton, North Lincoln at Bessemer City and West Lincoln at Cherryville were all moved to Monday.

You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.

Preseason coaches’ polls

Big South 3A Conference
First-place votes in parentheses
1. South Point (4) 34
2. Crest (3) 33
3. Forestview 25
4. Kings Mountain 20
5. North Gaston 17
6. Ashbrook 11
7. Hunter Huss 7

Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference
First-place votes in parentheses
1. West Lincoln (2) 30
2. East Lincoln (2) 28
3. North Lincoln (2) 27
4. Cherryville (1) 26
5. Bessemer City 19
6. Lincolnton 10
7. Highland Tech 7