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03-09-2012, 11:17 PM
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. â When you think back to how last season ended, itâs easy to see why North Laurel would be hungry for a region title. The Jaguars lost to Clay County by one run in the 49th District championship game and again by one run to the Tigers in the 13th Region final.
âClay is the team to beat in the district and region. They are 2010 and 2011 district and region champions and until someone beats them out, they are king of the hill,â North Laurel coach Darren McWhorter said.
But while Clay County has eight players to replace, North Laurel has a nucleus returning for a strong post season run. The hardest part to fill might be lefthanded starting pitcher Jon Damron. John Allen, Zach Bullard, Kellen Turner, and Marc Kaminsky also graduated. There is a lot of talent returning.
âWe always have high expectations and this year will be no different,â McWhorter said. âOur goals are to win the district and region and anything short of this will be a major disappointment.â
The Jaguarsâ batting rotation is a pretty good college team. Centerfielder Marcus Carson has made a verbal commitment to the University of Kentucky, where Zach Storm has already signed. Bubby Brooks signed with Pikeville College.
Carson is a prototype leadoff hitter with a .488 on-base percentage and 26 stolen bases last year as a sophomore. His .431 batting average led the team.
Storm actually had a high on-base percentage at .588 as teams learned not to pitch to the North Laurel slugger. They may have still pitched to him too much as he blasted 16 home runs with a 1.019 slugging percentage. By comparison, Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds led the Major Leagues in slugging percentage last year at .600. Barry Bonds had a record .863 slugging percentage in 2001.
âThey make my job easier,â McWhorter said of the future Wildcats.
Brooks was the teamâs No. 3 hitter with a .349 average and a .434 on-base percentage. Brooks begins a string of seniors in the middle of the North Laurel lineup. Ethan Eversole will bat cleanup, followed by Ryan Shears and Jon Evans.
Eversole hit .311 as a junior with four home runs. His patience at the plate led to a .466 on-base percentage. Shears hit .302 with three home runs. Evans, a good contact hitter, batted .352.
Speedy sophomore Austin Thompson is starting in the outfield after hitting .351 his freshman season. Seniors Johnathan Shcaefer and Clay Montgomery will be battling for one of the outfield spots.
Also expect to see a lot of Taylor Bowling. Bowling will be a key arm in the pitching rotation and play second or third when he is not on the mound. Blake Reams bat will earn him time at designated hitter and also first base. Sophomore Gabe Blair has been hitting the ball well and can play just about anywhere.
âWe also have a good group of freshmen and sophomores and some of those players will be trying to break into the lineup as well,â McWhorter said.
Although the faces are almost the same in the infield, there will be a new look. Storm will shift from second base to shortstop and Evans slides over to second base. Brooks will be playing third base full time when he isnât on the mound.
âThey have really worked hard to adjust to these positions and I think it will make us a stronger team,â McWhorter said.
North Laurel averaged about eight runs per game last season, second only to Clay Countyâs loaded lineup. There should be a lot of runs scored again this season.
âHitting and defense should be our strengths and pitching will be somewhat of a concern. I think we have good pitching but, you are a sore arm or injury away from being in a bind,â McWhorter said.
Brooks may be the teamâs hardest thrower and will be expected to pull a lot of innings. Carson will give the Jaguars a lefty in the rotation. Eversole, Storm, Shears, and Thompson will also be counted on. Eversole, Shears, Carson, and Thompson are all on the North Laurel basketball team that advanced to the Sweet 16. It might mean a slow start to the baseball season, but for a team wanting to get to a baseball state tournament it could be a good experience.
http://www.sentinel-echo.com/localsports...guars-time
âClay is the team to beat in the district and region. They are 2010 and 2011 district and region champions and until someone beats them out, they are king of the hill,â North Laurel coach Darren McWhorter said.
But while Clay County has eight players to replace, North Laurel has a nucleus returning for a strong post season run. The hardest part to fill might be lefthanded starting pitcher Jon Damron. John Allen, Zach Bullard, Kellen Turner, and Marc Kaminsky also graduated. There is a lot of talent returning.
âWe always have high expectations and this year will be no different,â McWhorter said. âOur goals are to win the district and region and anything short of this will be a major disappointment.â
The Jaguarsâ batting rotation is a pretty good college team. Centerfielder Marcus Carson has made a verbal commitment to the University of Kentucky, where Zach Storm has already signed. Bubby Brooks signed with Pikeville College.
Carson is a prototype leadoff hitter with a .488 on-base percentage and 26 stolen bases last year as a sophomore. His .431 batting average led the team.
Storm actually had a high on-base percentage at .588 as teams learned not to pitch to the North Laurel slugger. They may have still pitched to him too much as he blasted 16 home runs with a 1.019 slugging percentage. By comparison, Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds led the Major Leagues in slugging percentage last year at .600. Barry Bonds had a record .863 slugging percentage in 2001.
âThey make my job easier,â McWhorter said of the future Wildcats.
Brooks was the teamâs No. 3 hitter with a .349 average and a .434 on-base percentage. Brooks begins a string of seniors in the middle of the North Laurel lineup. Ethan Eversole will bat cleanup, followed by Ryan Shears and Jon Evans.
Eversole hit .311 as a junior with four home runs. His patience at the plate led to a .466 on-base percentage. Shears hit .302 with three home runs. Evans, a good contact hitter, batted .352.
Speedy sophomore Austin Thompson is starting in the outfield after hitting .351 his freshman season. Seniors Johnathan Shcaefer and Clay Montgomery will be battling for one of the outfield spots.
Also expect to see a lot of Taylor Bowling. Bowling will be a key arm in the pitching rotation and play second or third when he is not on the mound. Blake Reams bat will earn him time at designated hitter and also first base. Sophomore Gabe Blair has been hitting the ball well and can play just about anywhere.
âWe also have a good group of freshmen and sophomores and some of those players will be trying to break into the lineup as well,â McWhorter said.
Although the faces are almost the same in the infield, there will be a new look. Storm will shift from second base to shortstop and Evans slides over to second base. Brooks will be playing third base full time when he isnât on the mound.
âThey have really worked hard to adjust to these positions and I think it will make us a stronger team,â McWhorter said.
North Laurel averaged about eight runs per game last season, second only to Clay Countyâs loaded lineup. There should be a lot of runs scored again this season.
âHitting and defense should be our strengths and pitching will be somewhat of a concern. I think we have good pitching but, you are a sore arm or injury away from being in a bind,â McWhorter said.
Brooks may be the teamâs hardest thrower and will be expected to pull a lot of innings. Carson will give the Jaguars a lefty in the rotation. Eversole, Storm, Shears, and Thompson will also be counted on. Eversole, Shears, Carson, and Thompson are all on the North Laurel basketball team that advanced to the Sweet 16. It might mean a slow start to the baseball season, but for a team wanting to get to a baseball state tournament it could be a good experience.
http://www.sentinel-echo.com/localsports...guars-time
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03-09-2012, 11:18 PM
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University of Kentucky signee Zach Storm (21) will lead a strong North Laurel team this season.
University of Kentucky signee Zach Storm (21) will lead a strong North Laurel team this season.
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