The Louisiana high school season kicks off on February 18, the first day for regular season games. Most teams began practice on January 22nd, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.

Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be 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. If you don’t see your team’s season preview make sure your head coach fills out his Preseason Questionnaire.

Team: Central(BR)

Head Coach: Mike Forbes
2018 Record: 28-12
LHSAA Classification: 5A
LHSAA District: 4-5A
Playoff Run: State Champions
2018 Final Rank: 2nd in District
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 3

TOP PLAYERS

x-Factor

The Central(BR) Wildcats enter the 2019 season, as back-to-back Class 5A State Champions, and certainly have a three-peat within their grasps this spring. The Wildcats strength will certainly be on the mound, as Southeastern Louisiana recruit, 2019 RHP/3B Dalton Aspholm, and LSU-Eunice recruit, 2019 RHP/C Drew Lasseigne give them two hard throwing right-handers at the top of the rotation. Future Southeastern Louisiana Lion, Aspholm was the 2018 State Championship game MVP, as the 6-foot-1, 185-pound righty is one of the top arms in Louisiana's 2019 class, pitching in the upper 80's with his fastball. The physical 6-foot-4, 220-pound Lasseigne has also flashed electric stuff at times, he was dominating during last winter's I-10 Border Battle, running his fastball up to 90 mph and added a sharp slider.

Outlook

Expectations are high for Coach Mike Forbes, as the Wildcats will once again field a talented roster in 2019, and look to defend their back-to-back Class 5A State Title. They return four every day starters and three arms for the 2019 season. In addition to the veterans returning, the future is extremely bright for Central(BR), with talented youngsters like 2021 RHP/OF Brody Knapps, 2021 RHP/IF Connor Cassels, and 2022 OF Jude Gremillion. Another state title is certainly within their grasps as they head into the spring, but first they will look to get through their extremely talented district 4-5A rival, Zachary HS to claim the 2019 district title.

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