District 7A-14 Preview: Atlantic Looks To Stay On Top

Atlantic advanced the state semifinals last year but will have to work twice as hard this with everyone gunning for them.

The Eagles look no farther than their own district, which also features a tough West Boca squad.

Here is a preview of what to expect from the district competitors this season.

ATLANTIC EAGLES
2012 Record: 22-8
Head Coach: Steve Wilson
Key Returners: Brad Myott (Sr., C); Bobby Borque (Sr., SS); Jake Wallin (Sr., 2B); Jesse Kieffer (Sr., CF); Cody Bryan (Sr., 1B); Daniel Metz (Sr., 3B); Bruce Thomas (SR., RHP); Joey Ohannesian (Jr., C/RF)
Newcomers to Watch: Jarren Pinkney (Jr., 3B/OF); George Engroff (Jr., LHP)
Team Strengths: Defense and Team Chemistry
Our season will be a success if….

“…the pitching staff develops quickly.”

The Eagles allowed themselves but one chance to talk as a team about last season’s magical run to the state tournament, and after that it was understood that now is a new season and the past is exactly that.

“We talked about it, and then we moved on for good,” Eagles Manager Steve Wilson said. “Mainly we’re stressing the things we did right. We have nine seniors on this team, including six returning starters, so they know what was needed. It’s baseball, so you never know. But so far we’re working real hard for it.”

The Eagles conduct pick-off drills during practice.

The Eagles players have been very attentive and focused during practice this year, putting forth the type of championship effort that they now know it takes to succeed.

“They know we have to work even harder than last year,” Wilson admitted. “We cannot sneak up on anybody anymore, so we have to be prepared and that involves getting ready and working.”

As is so often the case in baseball, the biggest question mark the team faces entering the year is regarding their pitching staff. After graduating four of its five starters, the team will rely heavily on new guys to emerge in their place.

Senior right-hander Cody Bryant will anchor the pitching staff, while Wilson admits he does not intend to announce who will serve as the number two and three starters until just before the season begins.

“Pitching is the key, and they have got to throw strikes,” Wilson said. “Once you walk a guy, there is nothing you can do about it. So far our guys are throwing strikes.”

Senior righty Bruce Thomas and junior lefty George Engroff are among the candidates to fill out the team’s unsettled rotation.

Coach Steve Wilson talks with Bruce Thomas during practice.

What the team does not lack in is character and leadership. Senior catcher Brad Myott returns as the team captain, a role he also held last season, and both Bryant and senior shortstop Bobby Borque have also proven to be excellent leaders and role models who lead both vocally and by example.

Defensively the Eagles may even be an improved group, with Jesse Kieffer covering a lot of ground in centerfield and juniors Joey Ohannesian and newcomer Jarren Pinkney capably covering the corners. Third baseman Daniel Metz and second baseman Jake Wallin round out a very strong infield defense.

On paper the Eagles have all the pieces in place to make another deep run, as well as having the unique experience that comes from having been there before. But one last look at 2012 is all it takes to remind he Eagles what it really takes to achieve their ultimate goal of a state championship.

“At the end of the day, all I ask of them is that they can look at themselves in the mirror and say ‘I did the very best that I can do’,” Wilson said.

LAKE WORTH TROJANS
2012 Record: 2-22
Head Coach: Bobby Gilbert Jr.
Key Returners: Matt Kopp, Lucas Clark, Chase Forrest
Newcomers to Watch: Tyler Vandersan
Team Strengths: Fiery, aggressive personalities
Team Weaknesses: very young, inexperienced

The Trojans bring on board B.J. Gilbert as head coach this year. Gilbert, who came over from Suncoast after a great five-year run almost upsetting the 2012 Class 5A state champions Plantation American Heritage in last year’s regional playoffs.

Lake Worth wasted no time in landing the one-time Trojan after Suncoast did not renew his contract. The Trojans have a lot of great expectations from the coach of the year in his last district. He will be bringing a lot of experience, energy and focus.

First baseman Matt Kopp works on infield drills.

Lake Worth has a lot of work ahead of itself after not having a winning record in the past few years. The Trojans’ focus is improving the mentality of the players and learning how to play fundamentally sound baseball. They are a young squad that will depend on playing small ball and staying focused.

“We have a very young, but talented team,” Lake Worth coach B.J. Gilbert. “With the right mentality and focus, we should have a nice turnaround this year.”

First baseman Matt Kopp and Lucas Clark and being looked at the leaders of team and will have the challenge of carrying this team throughout the year.

OLYMPIC HEIGHTS LIONS
2012 Record: 3-18
Head Coach: Sam Howell
Key Returners: John Ricca (Sr., C); Brian Greff (Sr., OF); Reese Humphrey (Sr., CF); Vinny Scambone (So., LF); Sean McClaskie (Sr., RHP/1B); Sal Beltran (Sr., 3B); Casey Furnas (Jr., 2B); Nick Brooks (Sr., RHP); Ryan Becker (Sr., 1B)
Newcomers to Watch: Connor Archer (Sr., SS); Brad Rose (So., LHP)
Team Strengths: Defense and contact hitting
Our season will be a success if….

“…the Lions’ young arms mature quickly.”

New Lions Manager Sam Howell understands that right now teams are lining up to play them.

But as the team practices each night until darkness forces them off the field, the legendary coach also knows that this thing is headed in the right direction.

“We need as much practice as we can get,” Howell said. “We’re young and we need the fundamentals.”

Olympic Heights’ Ryan Becker fields ground balls during practice.

Howell last coached baseball in 2004, but boasts 274 career coaching victories and a state title with The King’s Academy in 2001. He helped build the Santaluces baseball program when it first joined the county, as well as establishing the annual Santaluces Slam. So he understands what the building process is like and how to set challenging but realistic goals.

“Right now it will take a few years, but it’s headed in the right direction,” Howell said. “Our goal is to earn double-digit wins. But we have a shot at the end to make it to the next round of the playoffs.”

Howell has compiled an impressive staff to help bring the team along this year, starting with Bob Braunstein, who focuses on the weight-training and getting the players stronger. Former Zion Lutheran coach Jose Piedra serves as an excellent bench coach, and first-year coach Ryan Smith brings strong baseball experience from having played for Coach Howell on his championship team at King’s.

The past three seasons Olympic Heights has gone 16-57 and has seen participation drop off. But this fall the team doubled its 2012 win total in going 6-5-1, and players are starting to realize what it takes to improve.

“We swing the bat all right and we play decent defense,” Howell said. “Pitching is where we run into problems. Right now we are focusing on getting the pitcher’s arms ready to go.”

The Lions take batting practice.

The Lions rotation is still unsettled, with right-handers Nick Brooks and Sean McClaskie in the top of the mix. The team’s young lefty Brad Rose suffered a broken finger that will cost him a few weeks of the season, but they are hopeful he can contribute when he returns.

The team returns its entire outfield in seniors Brian Greff and Reese Humphrey and sophomore Vinny Scambone. It is also strong at the infield corners, with seniors Sal Beltran and Ryan Becker at third and first base, respectively. Catcher John Ricca takes over behind the plate, providing a stable game-caller with a good bat. Should Zion Lutheran shortstop transfer Connor Archer gel quickly with second baseman Casey Furnas, the team could potentially be very strong on defense.

“We have to instill in them that they have to come and work,” Howell said. “It takes a little bit more to be a champion, and you have to work on the stuff you do mediocre and make sure you get better at it.”

WEST BOCA BULLS
2012 Record: 16-12
Head Coach: Nick Siano
Key Returners: Sean Gable, Koby Pepia
Team Strengths: Strong defense, speed, solid baseball fundamentals, strong pitching

Manager Nick Siano is stepping into his third year as skipper of the West Boca High Bulls. He is continuing to build atop a solid foundation.

“We have our expectations very high,” Siano said. “The program was successful before I came in and we want to continue being successful.”

Part of the formula for success for coach Siano is solid fundamentals.

“If we can do the little things, small ball, we’ll be able to score,” he said.

The West Boca Bulls have been working diligently on the fundamentals of the game of baseball, focusing on a small ball approach. The emphasis has not been only on the offense, but on the defensive side as well.

“We have a new defensive coach this year. His name is Julian Cabrera. He has been doing a really good job taking players to the next level,” said coach Siano. “I think we’re going to be solid with our infield, we’re strong up the middle.”

Another key ingredient for the Bulls this season will be their pitching. Returning junior right handed pitcher Sean Gable will set the tone for the pitching staff, as he steps in to pitch at the number one spot. According to coach Siano, Gable can throw in the mid, to high 80’s, with a very good off-speed pitch.

Sean started as a closer last season, working his way onto the number two spot and eventually, after a lot of hard work, he’ll be pitching at number one on the pitching rotation.

“To have success you have to put in the work, you have to work hard,” said Gable. “I want to shut down the opposing team every time I go out there, so our team has a chance to put some runs on the board. Coach Siano had this to say about his number one starting pitcher: “Sean has grown every year for us, he wants to get out there and win every time. I truly believe that he can beat anybody in Palm Beach County.”

Another contributor will be returning junior short stop Koby Pepia. Coach Siano added that Pepia has been growing exponentially as an infielder within the last six months, and working diligently with defensive coach Cabrera.

Siano also mentioned his satisfaction with the outfielders, adding that they posses great speed to get to well hit balls.

As Coach Nick Siano and his staff continue to develop this young team, look for the Bulls to play hard, with confidence and with strong Baseball fundamentals, practicing a small ball approach to the game.

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