Alabama High School Team Preview: Huntsville Panthers
February 4, 2019
2019 Team Previews:
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High School: Huntsville
2018 Record: 24-15
Head Coach: Luke Lamm
AHSAA Classification: 7A
AHSAA Area: 7
2018 Area Finish: 1st
2018 Playoff Run: Lost in quarterfinals
RETURNING STARTERS:
Matt Dailey ‘19 LHP/OF
Nicholas Constantine ‘20 SS/RHP
Jayce Guyette ‘20 C/IF
Blake Neill ‘19 LHP
UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH:
Xavier Vaz ‘20 IF
Wade Passler ‘20 OF
TEAM STRENGTHS:
Senior leadership
Team first mentality
OUTLOOK:
The Panthers will once again look to qualify for the 7A state playoffs after coming off of an area championship in 2018. The team will play in 7A Area 7 against Gadsden City, Sparkman and Grissom. Coach Luke Lamm, in his first season at Huntsville High School, will inherit a team that returns several key players from the 2018 team. 2019 LHP/OF Matt Dailey (University of Montevallo signee) will look to lead the Panthers on the mound and at the plate. In 2018, Dailey hit .343 with 9 2B’s and was 5-2 on the mound with an ERA of 2.55. The Panthers will rely heavily on Dailey in 2019 at both positions. 2020 SS/RHP Nick Constantine returns after hitting .295 with 21 RBI’s as a sophomore in 2018 and will likely move from 3B to SS this year. He will also be looked on to contribute on the mound as well. 2020 C/2B Jayce Guyette returns after splitting time behind the plate and at 2B in 2018. Guyette has legit catch and throw skills as a C and should be the everyday catcher in 2019. Blake Neill (2019 LHP) is also a player to watch on the mound and will be a key to the Panthers success in 2019. Neill has outstanding “stuff” on the mound and like Dailey, has signed with the University of Montevallo. 2020 2B Xavier Vaz is a quick twitch athlete that brings a ton of athleticism to the team. Offensively, he has a knack of getting on base and is a legit threat on the bases. 2020 OF Wade Passler is another junior the Panthers will lean heavily on after earning significant playing time during the second half of the 2018 season and had some big hits down the stretch for the Panthers. Dailey is the #34 player in the 2019 state class while Guyette (#33) and Constantine (#57) are both ranked in the 2020 state class. In 2019, the Panthers will be looking for some pitchers to provide depth on the mound. Look for the 2019 squad to be right in the middle of the 7A Area 7 race to qualify for the state playoffs once again.