By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Follow @PBRIllinois

The Illinois high school season kicked off today, March 13, the first day for regular season games.

Over the last several weeks, we have been rolling  out team previews of high school teams all across the state and  across all classifications, eventually launching our Preseason Power 25. 

We have been sending out our annual Preseason Questionnaire to coaches all across the state and as the responses flood in we will bring you a snapshot of what to expect along with top players and keys to success for that particular team.

 

Team: Chatham-Glenwood
Preseason Rank: 8
2016 Record: 18-16-1
Conference: Central State Eight
IHSA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Pat Moomey
Playoff Run: Lost in Regional Championship
2016 Final Rank: NR
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 7

Top Players

 

X-FACTOR/NEWCOMER TO WATCH
LHP Reid Detmers transfers into Glenwood for his senior year after attending Nokomis his first three years. Detmers will form the states most dynamic 1-2 punch on the mound with Coastal Carolina commit Jacob Maton. Detmers is the states most advanced pitcher with a three-pitch feel. His fastball sits 89-90 mph with arm side running action. The separator is the curveball which is a plus offering with tight rotation, late breaking action, and depth at 73-75 mph. His changeup works 77-78 mph with running action. Detmers is committed to Louisville, which has a good track record of getting players to campus before becoming high round picks, but will be receiving lots of draft interest this spring.

 

Reid Detmers (2.5.17)

STAT RAT
32: Number of seasons Pat Moomey has managed the Titans. Moomey who recorded his 800th win in April also compiled his 808-270-3 record in one uniform as well. He is fifth on the IHSA all-time wins list and third to do it all at one school. Moomey has led the Titans to two state titles in his tenure in 1996 and 2010. His first state championship team also featured arguably his most recognizable alum, Jayson Werth of the Washington Nationals. Werth was a first-round selection out of Chatham-Glenwood in the 1997 MLB draft by the Baltimore Orioles.

OUTLOOK
After an up and down year in 2016, Glenwood reloads for 2017 and will make a strong push for the 3A State Title. Last year the Titans went 18-16-1 and struggled to score runs in close games, getting shutout three times and scoring only one run eight times. The Titans did manage to outscore opponents 253-137 but only won 18 games. In 2017 the focus will be on the pitching staff that brings back Coastal Carolina commit Jacob Maton, Lindenwood commit  Karson Aherin and junior RHP Graham Bender but the biggest impact on the mound will be Reid Detmers who transfers in from Nokomis. Detmers is the states most advanced pitcher and will form the states best 1-2 punch with Maton. There will be a lot of buzz around the program the next two season's with Detmers receiving MLB Draft interest this spring and Maton in 2018.  With three solid starters it is easy to see how Glenwood can make a deep run in the playoffs and compete for a 3A Championship in Joliet come June. If they can win those close games it will be a tough year for other teams in the Central State Eight.

BOTTOM LINE
With Detmers and Maton at the top of the rotation for the Titans it will be tough for teams to score off them consistently. If they can win the close games in 2017 they have a legitimate chance to be 3A State Champions.

Make sure to follow @pbrillinois on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the season.

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