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Conference Preview: WPIAL Class AA - Section 1

March 13, 2014

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

With the start of the high school season less than a month away we will be previewing conferences around the state leading up to opening day. In addition to a look at the top teams we will also highlight some of the top prospects in each conference.

           WPIAL Class AA - Section 1

Preseason Favorites

Quaker Valley (23-2), South Side Beaver (8-7)

Quaker Valley returns enough from a deep state playoff run of 2013 to be the clear favorite. RHP Tyler Garbee has a chance to have a breakout spring with a mid-80s fastball. South Side has the ability to run out two quality arms in '14 RHP Nolan Lamont and '15 LHP Dustin Lander.

 

in the mix

New Brighton (14-5)

The Lions lost quite a bit from last year's roster that lost in the 1st round of the WPIAL playoffs. This year's offense will rely heavily on seniors Riley Smith and Tyler St. Espirit. Senior RHP Drew Emes has the most experience of any pitcher returning on the staff with two starts on the bump as a junior.

 

Preseason Player of the Year

Tyler GarbeeTyler Garbee, Quaker Valley HS (Class of 2015)

Garbee is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound junior that was the workhorse on the mound for the Quakers in their quest for a Class AA state title last spring. Garbee won both state playoff games that Quaker Valley won yielding just two earned runs in wins over Saegertown and Shady Side. Garbee sits in the mid-80s with solid arm side run to his fastball and has a good feel for his complimentary pitches.

 

Top Prospects

avonworth

Chris O'Malley, 3B (Class of 2015)

carlynton

Justin Autry, SS/RHP (Class of 2014)
Jordan Oddi, OF (Class of 2014)
Jake Bickus, 2B/SS (Class of 2015)
Max Janocha, OF/LHP (Class of 2015)
Nick Schultz, C (Class of 2015)
Jeff Stephan, 3B/2B (Class of 2015)

freedom Area

Brad Eckman, 3B/SS/RHP (Class of 2016)
Evin DiCiero, 3B/MI/RHP (Class of 2016)
Garin Piehler, C/OF (Class of 2016)
Tim Hampe, 1B/LHP (Class of 2016)

new brighton

Drew Emes, RHP (Class of 2014)
Riley Smith, OF (Class of 2014)
Tyler St. Espirit, OF (Class of 2014)

quaker valley

Ben Utterback, C (Class of 2014)
Tyler Garbee, 3B/RHP (Class of 2015)

seton-la salle

Dave Boehme, SS/RHP (Class of 2014)
Matthew Wilke, SS/RHP (Class of 2014)
Danzel McKinley-Lewis, C (Class of 2015)

south side beaver

Nolan Lamont, RHP (Class of 2014)
Dustin Lander, LHP/OF (Class of 2015)

 

view all conference previews & preseason players of the year by conference

 

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