By: Austin Alexander – February 14, 2009 After a week of flawless weather and temps in the 70’s, we were forced into an ‘iffy’ radar that created some preliminary concern over playing conditions. But we started on time, suffered no delays and the day went off without a hitch as six teams converged on Conway High School Saturday for part of Diamond Prospects’ Valentine’s Day doubleheader. Just looking at the resume that was set to roll in, we had three teams ranked in the Top 5 of their respective classifications and Diamond Prospects’ top junior in Wando’s Drew Cisco (right) and #1 sophomore Shon Carson (left) of Lake City. We also were privy to a viewing of arguably the top unsigned senior in Dillon’s Travis Murphy. Oh by the way, elite players who are also nationally ranked and were on hand, Conway senior Colby Holmes and Wando’s power-hitting ’09 Daniel Aldrich. While the exploits of the aforementioned standouts did not disappoint, it was the bat of Wando sophomore Connor Bright and the arm of Carolina Forest senior Josh Knab that turned in, perhaps, the best performances of the day. -Game Summary- Game 1: Carolina Forest 7 Dillon 2 Carolina Forest jumped out front early with a 5-run first inning, paced by Justin Turbeville and Travis Parker on two RBI singles by both. Josh Knab (right) was dominant in his two innings as the Panther starter. Game 2: Wando 19 Socastee 0, 8 innings The Warriors unloaded for 10 runs in the first inning on a pair of homers by Connor Bright (left) and a 2-run shot by Robbie Dodds. They never looked back as five Wando pitchers kept Socastee at bay. Game 3: Conway 17 Lake City 9, 8 innings A see-saw affair for the balance of the nightcap turned a bit sloppy when the sun began to set. Conway’s Michael Frazier and Cannon Jordan turned in big night’s with the bat as the Tigers late surge turning this affair into a convincing victory. ———————————————– -Lake City Panthers- The Panthers have athletes galore, are well-coached and can grind out at bats. Plenty of speed graces the Lake City line-up, led by sophomore sensation Shon Carson, who turned in a 6.37/60 on a side field Saturday and he spent eight innings showing off his array of skills. Two seniors have already signed to play at the next level, Shane Miles (Charleston Southern) and Reggie Weatherford (Spartanburg Methodist), pictured right. Question marks on the mound will be something that skipper Jason Cook will deal with for balance of the season and could eventually determine what kind of playoff run they make. 60’s Name Class 60 Shon Carson So 6.37 Shane Miles Sr 6.84 Devan Barr Jr 7.22 Andrew Hall So 7.78 Sheldon Robinson Jr 6.69 Brice James Sr 7.40 Reggie Weatherford Sr 6.87 Michael Hyman Jr 6.84 Patrick Floyd Jr 7.70 Elliott Braxton Sr 7.09 Tyler McClam Jr 7.94 Justin Owens Fr 7.69 Antwon Wallace Jr 7.00 Shareef Green Fr 7.28 Zach Holt Jr 7.54 Pitchers Name Class R/L FB CB/SL CH Shane Miles Sr R 78-81 67 – Shon Carson So R 77-80 – – Zach Holt Jr R 75 68 – Justin Owens Fr R 78-79 59 – Top Prospects Rank Name Class Pos Scout Notes 1 Shon Carson So INF/OF Can really run and his speed translates on the basepaths and in the field; Serious bat-speed and power with a very high ceiling 2 Shane Miles Sr OF Improved bat with some pop and speed to go with good baseball savvy 3 Reggie Weatherford Sr INF LHH that profiles at 2B or LF; added strength to his frame will lend itself to extra base pop down the road 4 Zach Holt Jr 1B/3B Juice in bat, centered some balls in the middle of the field that had plenty of "carry"; recent transfer to Lake City will prove to be a quality pick-up 5 Sheldon Robinson Jr OF Tremendous athlete with speed and the hint that he’ll hit; like many multi-sport athletes, amount of time on baseball field will determine his ceiling 6 Elliott Braxton Sr C Very small frame but plays big; good receiver with solid and accurate arm; would be a good pick-up for smaller school needing athleticism behind the plate -Dillon Wildcats- The Wildcats overcame an early deficit on Saturday and never stopped battling as they used four arms, led by Travis Murphy (right), that should be able to pull valuable outs in 2009. Dillon is very strong up the middle defensively and has good athletes up and down the line-up. Ranked as DP’s Pre-season #1 in 2A baseball, they will need to get Jay Harrison back to form and answer some questions at shortstop when Murphy moves to the mound. Expect to see this club right in the post-season hunt again this spring. 60’s Name Class 60 Jarvis Breeden Sr 7.37 Kevin Dixon Sr 6.78 Travis Murphy Sr 6.90 Anthony Smith Sr 7.08 Pitchers Name Class R/L FB CB/SL CH Robbie Brown Jr L 80-83 – – Jay Harrison Sr R 78-80 60-61 – Travis Murphy Sr R 85-87 65-71 66-69, solid Phillip Herring Sr R 81-83 67-68 – Top Prospects Rank Name Class Pos Scout Notes 1 Travis Murphy Sr RHP Good athlete with live arm, solid CH and improving CB; Wirey frame with fastball that has been up to 90; un-signed senior with pro ability 2 Anthony Smith Sr OF Pro body and tools but very raw; more AB’s and time on the baseball field would prove huge toward his development; 3 Phillip Herring Sr C Has made big strides behind the plate, in the box and his frame has filled out; athletic catcher that can receive well and is a very accurate thrower with solid arm 4 L’Twane Thompson Sr OF LHH with flat, slashing swing that can produce backspin; knee injuries in the past have cost him AB’s but is worth a look from a school in need of some pop from the left-side 5 Robbie Brown Jr LHP Brown recovered …
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