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By John Nolan
Assistant Director of Scouting/Content Management 

As we enter March, the high school season is quickly approaching. As we approach opening day, we will continue our look at high school programs throughout our coverage area as they prepare for the 2016 season.
 

Team: Oakton
Nickname: Cougars
Class: 6A North
Conference: Concorde Conference 
Coach: Justin Janis
Twitter: @OHSCougarsBSB
2015 Record: 17-6
2015 Post Season: Regional Tournament
Returning Starters/Position: 3
Returning Pitchers: 2

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Connor Cozad (MIF, 2016, Catholic)
Ryan Davis (C, 2017) Davis is a good defensive catcher who also brings rare speed to the position. He has a quick release and is athletic behind the plate. At the plate, Davis has a short stroke and a line drive swing that will find gaps and let his speed work. He is currently ranked 41^st in the Class of 2017 Rankings.
Owen Lamon (RHP, 2017) Lamon is an athletic righty with a projectable frame that allows him to create good angle on his fastball, which sits in the mid-80s. Lamon pairs his fastball with a late-breaking slider and a sinking changeup. He is currently ranked 36^th in the Class of 2017 Rankings.
Joe Rizzo (3B, 2016, South Carolina) Rizzo is the top-ranked player in the VA/DC Class of 2016 Rankings and is a potential first round draft pick in June. He has elite power from the left side and has a strong hit tool as well. He will play shortstop for the Cougars and will do it very well, but Rizzo’s future at the next level is at third base.
Toma Shigaki-Than (RHP, 2017) Toma has a great arm action and a mid-80s fastball to go with a borderline unhittable breaking ball and a good changeup. He has the potential to be one of the breakout arms in Virginia during the high school season this spring as his pure stuff is unfair to high school hitters. Shigaki-Than is currently ranked 33^rd in the Class of 2017 Rankings.
 

SEASON OUTLOOK
Oakton is coming off of a very good 2015 season in which the Cougars were one of the best teams in 6A North but had the unfortunate luck of running into Jake Agnos in the first round of the Regional Tournament. The 2016 Cougars will be a young team but have the benefit of having the top prospect in the Commonwealth to anchor their lineup and defense in Rizzo. The rest of the team is inexperienced but very talented. How quickly that young talent develops this spring will determine how successful the season is for the Cougars. Oakton has the potential to be one of the best teams in the 6A North and the Cougars could be a State Championship contender if the pitching staff can step forward and produce with Rizzo in the heart of the lineup.