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By John Nolan
Assistant Director of Scouting/Content Management 

As we enter February, the high school season is quickly approaching. As the month progresses and February turns into March, we will take a look at high school programs throughout our coverage area as they prepare for the 2016 season.

Team: Tuscarora
Nickname: Huskies
Class: 5A North
Conference: 14 and the Potomac District
Coach: Mark Bauer
Twitter:  @HuskyB8sball
2015 Record: 10-11
2015 Post Season: Conference Tournament
Returning Starters/Position: 6
Returning Pitchers: 3

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brent Breeden: (OF, 2016) Breeden is a lanky outfielder who missed 2015 with an injury and is a very good defender.
Cole Gabriele: (LHP, 2016, Mary Washington) Gabriele works in the low 80s and has a good three-pitch mix that makes him very effective.
Ben Knuff: (OF, 2017) Knuff will be a starter in the outfield for the second year and has power potential.
Noah Lacy: (C, 2016, UVA Wise) Lacy controls the running game with a strong arm from behind the plate.
Dominick Marinelli: (MIF, 2016) Marinelli was 1st Team All-Conference in 2015 and is a four year Varsity starter. He is currently ranked 100^th in the PBR VA/DC Class of 2016 Rankings.
Bryce Pearson: (3B/RHP, 2016) A solid defender and three-year starter who is effective when on the mound.
Joey Skov: (MIF, 2016, Mary Washington) Skov was named 1st Team All-Conference and 2nd Team All-Region in 2015 while hitting over .400 at the top of the Husky batting order.
 

SEASON OUTLOOK
Tuscarora is coming off of a solid 2015 and brings back a talented core of seniors with plenty of varsity experience. The Huskie defense will be improved in 2016 with the return of the speedy Breeden to the outfield and the return of their veteran infield which will again be anchored up the middle by Skov and Marinelli. Gabriele will lead the pitching staff with help from Pearson and youngster Jonathan Lacy (RHP, 2018). The lineup returns its core and will be anchored by Marinelli, who led the team in extra base hits and RBI’s in 2015, and table-setter Skov, who led the team in average and runs scored last year. The 2016 Huskies will be a solid defensive team and will be in every game that they play. If the Tuscarora’s experienced lineup can produce every consistently, the Huskies will be one of the better teams in Conference 14 and will be dangerous in the 5A North Tournament.