2016 Preseason PIAA Class AA Super 16
March 22, 2016
By Jacob Gill
Pennsylvania Assistant Director of Scouting
and PBR staff
Pennsylvania calls itself a Commonwealth, not a state, which means we like to eschew the norm. Our team rankings aren't a standard Top 25, but rather an effort to predict what everyone is striving for: state tournament berths. Instead of going down a rabbit hole by attempting to order teams from various parts of the state who play against vastly different levels of competition, we are going to try to compare apples to apples a bit more. Each update, we will present the schools we think are in the best position to earn state tournament berths out of their respective districts. Below are our predictions, in bracket order, for how we see the PIAA class AA state tournament shaping up. A Watch List for each district is also included, with the teams on it absolutely in the mix to make the March to Medlar.
Notes:
1. X-Y under "Berth" = [District]-[Bid]. For example, 7-2 is the runner-up from District VII.
2. If multiple districts are listed in one box, those districts will form a sub-regional to determine that bid.
| Berth | School | Notes |
| 12-1 | Neumann-Goretti | We've said this before, but there is no greater lock than the Saints earning this bid, as they are leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of the district despite major losses to graduation. Two Division I-bound arms top the rotation and three college-bound position players spark the offense. |
| 3-2 | Camp Hill | The defending district champ must replace its staff ace/leading hitter, but has plenty returning on the mound and at the plate to make another run toward state. |
| 2-1 | Hanover Area | One of these years, the Hawks are going to get over the hump (two straight one-run district final losses after three straight semifinal ousters), and this just might be it. The starting rotation and eight of nine line-up regulars return. |
| 4-1 | Loyalsock Township | Yes, we know the 2013 & 2014 state champs (who reached the state semis last year) graduated seven major contributors who went off to college baseball. But lest we forget, this is a program that won a state title in 2008 (plus semifinal appearances in 2009 & 2010) with a completely different group. They may be more vulnerable than in recent years, but they'll still compete just fine. |
| 1-1 | Springfield Township | Question marks abound in this district, where the perennial powers all have major holes to fill. The 2014 district champ Spartans dropped a one-run district title game last year and appear to be a toss-up with the two watch list schools below. |
| 12-2 | MaST Community Charter | The Panthers will make a push for their second straight state tournament appearance, despite having to replace their top two arms. Seven of nine line-up regulars return, as well as two pitchers who performed well when given the opportunity last year. |
| 3-1 | Lancaster Catholic | The Crusaders are the prohibitive favorite to win this district, with the entire pitching staff and eight of nine position player starters back on a roster littered with players who will play at the next level. |
| 11-1 | North Schuylkill | A district semifinal appearance in 2014 preceded a one-run loss in last year's district title game. The Spartans are poised to take the next step behind a strong senior southpaw trio and solid returning line-up core. |
| 5-1/ 6-1 |
Bishop McCort Catholic | Perennial contender graduated just one and has two expected significant contributors returning form injury to add more depth to a talented, veteran roster. |
| 7-3 | Riverside | Four experienced arms anchor an intact pitching staff from a team that dropped a one-run quarterfinal against the eventual district runner-up. Seven of nine line-up regulars return as well. |
| 10-1 | Franklin Area | The Knights must replace the top pitcher in the district, but welcome back almost the entire roster, including a solid rotation combo and two-thirds of its regular line-up. |
| 7-2 | Keystone Oaks | Eleven seniors, including six starters, are back on for team that was twice one win, nay one run, away from earning a state berth last season. |
| 7-1 | Neshannock | The defending state champs welcome back their dominant 1-2 rotation punch, as well as a third college-bound arm from a staff that allowed two runs or less in 19 of 25 games last year. Outscored opponents 61-7 in seven post-season games. |
| 6-2 | Central | While they have a lot of production to replace, the Scarlet Dragons just seem to bring up new talent in waves. The offensive foundation is solid, while a capable pitching staff returns. |
| 8-1/ 9-1 |
Cranberry Area | The sailing may not be quite as smooth with its dominant staff ace gone, but the Berries return two-thirds of the starting line-up and an all-conference pitcher from last year's district title team. |
| 10-2 | Fairview | One all-district and three other all-region performers, including two pitchers, are back for a squad that tied for its region title w/ eventual district champ Mercyhurst Prep and dropped a 1-0 game in last year's district quarterfinals. |
Watch List
District I: Devon Prep, New Hope-Solebury
District II: Lakeland, Holy Redeemer
District III: Oley Valley, Delone Catholic
District IV: Hughesville, Mount Carmel Area
Sub-Region V/VI: Mount Union Area, Richland, Philipsburg-Osceola, Penn Cambria, Forest Hills
District VII: Quaker Valley, Brownsville Area, Washington, Charleroi Area
Sub-Region VIII/IX: Karns City, Moniteau
District X: Sharon, Reynolds, Mercyhurst Prep
District XI: Schuylkill Haven Area, Notre Dame Green Pond, Salisbury Township
District XII: Science Leadership Academy, Prep Charter, Philadelphia Academy
Season Preview Schedule
3/2 - PAISAA
3/3 - PIAA District V
3/4 - PIAA District IX
3/5 - PIAA District VI
3/6 - PIAA District IV
3/7 - PIAA District X
3/8 - PIAA District III (Class A & AA)
3/9 - PIAA District VII (Class A)
3/10 - PIAA District VII (Class AA)
3/11 - PIAA District II
3/12 - PIAA District XI
3/13 - PIAA District I (Class A, AA & AAA)
3/14 - PIAA District III (Class AAA)
3/15 - PIAA District VII (Class AAA)
3/16 - PIAA District I (Class AAAA)
3/17 - PIAA District III (Class AAAA)
3/18 - PIAA District VII (Class AAAA)
3/19 - PIAA District XII
3/20 - PAISAA Preseason Fab Four
3/21 - PIAA Class A Preseason Super 16
3/22 - PIAA Class AA Preseason Super 16
3/23 - PIAA Class AAA Preseason Super 16
3/24 - PIAA Class AAAA Preseason Super 16
