Region Preview: Class AA - Region III

Thu March 12, 2015

By Greg Williams
WV Director of Scouting

With the start of the high school season is less than a month away we will be previewing each region in each classification statewide. In addition to a look at the top teams we will also highlight some of the top prospects in each region. Look for our initial Elite Eight team rankings in each classification to appear later this month.

Class AA - Region III

Preseason Favorite

PikeView (25-7)

The Panthers return a large share of the contributors that helped lead them to a region finals appearance in 2014. A trip to Charleston is the logical next step and with an additional year of experience under their belts look for PikeView to build on last year's 25 win season and No. 6 ranking in the final PBR Elite Eight poll.

Preseason Player of the Year

Austin Cordell, 1B/LHP, PikeView HS (Class of 2015)

Cordell had a breakout junior season hitting .510 with four home runs and a whopping 64 RBI earning a spot on the Class AA all-state team. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound two-way prospect is currently ranked No. 6 in the WV Class of 2015. While Cordell is not planning to be a two-sport athlete at the college level, he does take his athletic skills to the soccer field in the fall. The 1st Team All-State goalkeeper helped lead PikeView to a AA state title in the fall of 2013.

Top Prospects


Bluefield


       Bourne              Mullins

Robert Bourne, 3B/RHP (Class of 2015)
Trevor Mulliins, SS/RHP (Class of 2015, Concord University recruit)

Independence


      Hughart                  Hill

Andrue Hughart, RHP/3B (Class of 2015, ranked No. 12 in class)
Michael Hill, SS/2B (Class of 2016, ranked No. 21 in class)

James Monroe

* The Mavericks will look to improve on last year's 10-19 finish.

Liberty (Raleigh)

* The Raiders return 16 players looking to build on last year's 12-24 finish.

Mt. View

* The Golden Knights will attempt to improve on last year's 2-29 record.

Pikeview


       Cordell           Shrewsbury

Austin Cordell, 1B/LHP, Class of 2015 (1st Team All-State in 2014, 64 RBI)
Carter Shrewsbury, OF/RHP, Class of 2016 (Special Honorable Mention All-State in 2014)

River View

* The Raiders advanced to the Regional semifinals last year with a record of 19-6.

Summers County

* The Bobcats return 14 players from a roster that went 12-18 in 2014.

Westside

* The Renegades lost to Wyoming East in the Sectional tournament in 2014.

Wyoming East

* The Warriors return seven players varsity players from last year's 26-9 roster that fell to Independence in the regional semifinals.

>> View all region previews & preseason players of the year by region

ADDITIONAL WV NEWS: