[Van Hagar]

Now that South's great core group is graduating, what does next year look like? I don't want to rank them, I'll just group them the way I see it.

Favorites--Knox Central and North Laurel. KC had no seniors on a solid team, there weakness seems to be a lack of top pitching after Seth Hill. North did graduate four, but have basically six starters back, and no other region team will have a group of three pitchers as strong as Messer, Griebel and Capobianco, a key to regional tournament play.

Contenders--Harlan Co., especially with Sizemore on the mound, will be dangerous. Clay Co., always well-coached, will also be in the mix. Both teams lose some key players, but return enough to be in the conversation. Corbin and Whitley also belong in this group, the Redhounds seemed to get better as the season went on, and Whitley had a nice year, but they have to learn how to win that district elimination game.

Question marks--Obviously South will dip, but they do return Miller, and that could be enough to make them dangerous in a one-game situation. Harlan Ind. made the final four, but I lean towards that being more a factor of a fairly weak district and a favorable regional draw.

Really don't see how any other teams could get in the mix, Middlesboro and Barbourville may be fair, but shouldn't contend.