High school baseball preview: Who are the top teams?

1. How will the University Interscholastic League's realignment affect baseball this season?

With Kingwood and Atascocita switching from 19-5A to 14-5A, the loaded district that already featured The Woodlands, College Park, Oak Ridge, Conroe and Lufkin will become even more competitive. At least one talented team will undoubtedly miss the postseason. Other programs like Ball, Stratford and Baytown Lee may benefit by shifting down from 5A to 4A. Those three programs could be in position to threaten the likes of Brenham and Friendswood in Class 4A.

2. What Class 5A teams have the best chance of getting to the state tournament?

After advancing to the state tournament out of Region II last season, Klein is a favorite to return, especially with Evan Rutter and Mitchell Nau powering the offense. But Klein Collins could challenge the Bearkats, as it returns its Nos. 1 through 3 hitters and a dominant ace in Cory Geisler. Out of Region III, Bellaire and Memorial are equipped, but Clements still remains in position to repeat last year's magic with G.R. Hinsley and Phillip Casey leading the way.

3. Which teams are tops in Class 4A?

Ty Schlottmann, Drake Roberts and Chance Bolcerek still haven't graduated, which means Brenham remains the obvious choice to win Region III-4A. After posting a 25-16 record last season — including a regional title loss to the Cubs — Friendswood should contend again with seniors Matt Kennemer and Tyler Sullivan on board. But new additions Ball, Stratford and Baytown Lee (headlined by 2010 District 21-5A MVP Reed Seeley) could shake up 4A.

4. Can St. Thomas repeat as state champions?

The Eagles return the Biggio brothers — Conor and Cavan — to spearhead the offense, and Brian Schwarzbach and Jack Cordova to bolster the pitching. But state runner-up and TAPPS 3-5A rival, Houston Christian, will be in the thick of things. With Konrad Koenig, Andrew Cecil and Reid Bishop coming back, the Mustangs remain a roadblock for St. Thomas' back-to-back title hopes.

Preseason rankings

CLASS 5A

1. Klein Collins

2. Klein

3. Clements

4. Memorial

5. Bellaire

6. The Woodlands

7. Atascocita

8. Westside

9. Brazoswood

10. Seven Lakes

CLASS 4A

OTHERS

1. Brenham

2. Friendswood

3. Magnolia

4. Waltrip

5. St. Thomas

6. Ball

7. Stratford

8. Houston Christian

9. Santa Fe

10. Baytown Lee

 

Preseason All-Greater Houston team

FIRST TEAM

Toller Boardman

Sr., P, Bellaire

Bryan Brickhouse

Sr., P, The Woodlands

Cory Geisler

Jr., P, Klein Collins

Reed Seeley

Sr., P, Baytown Lee

Jordan Stephens

Sr., P, Alvin

Cole Lankford

Sr., C, Lamar

Carter Burgess

Sr., IF, Memorial

Taylor Cobb

Sr., IF, FB Austin

Elliot Richoux

Sr., IF, The Woodlands

Evan Rutter

Sr., IF, Klein

Kendall Stacks

Sr., IF, Seven Lakes

Chance Bolcerek

Sr., OF, Brenham

C.J. McElroy

Sr., OF, Clear Creek

Boomer White

Jr., OF, Memorial

John Williamson
Sr., OF, Lamar

G.R. Hinsley
Sr., Utl., Clements

SECOND TEAM

Brandon Bergen

Sr., P, Brazoswood

Aaron Garza

Sr., P, Ball

Zechariah Lemond

Sr., P, Waltrip

Daniel Mengden

Sr., P, Westside

Ty Schlottmann

Sr., P, Brenham

Mitchell Nau

Sr., C, Klein

Austin Dean

Jr., IF, Klein Collins

C.J. Hinojosa

Jr., IF, Klein Collins

Dustin Theiss

Jr., IF, Klein Oak

Toby Tinelli

Sr., IF, Atascocita

Drake Roberts

Sr., IF, Brenham

Colt Atwood

Sr., OF, Katy

Romeo Cortina

Jr., OF, Atascocita

Harris Rome

Sr., OF, Memorial

Dillon Thomas

Sr., OF, Westbury Christian

Wayne Taylor
Sr., Utl., Memorial