Preseason Power 25 Countdown: Warren Central
February 9, 2018
The Mississippi high school season kicks off on February 26, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on January 29, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.
Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will be posting high school team previews every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage:
Team: Warren Central
Preseason Rank: 11
2017 Record: 17-15
MHSAA Classification: 6A
MHSAA District: 4-6A
Head Coach: Conner Douglas
Playoff Run: State 2nd Round
2017 Final Rank: 2nd in district
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 8
Top Players
Name | State | School | Class | Position | Commitment |
Farmer Abendroth | MS | Warren Central | 2019 | RHP | Louisiana State |
Aaron Greene | MS | Warren Central | 2018 | RHP |
Mississippi |
Sean Daily | MS | Warren Central | 2019 | C | - |
DJ Lewis | MS | Warren Central | 2018 | OF |
Southwest Mississippi CC |
Christian Oakes | MS | Warren Central | 2019 | RHP | - |
Vantrel Reed | MS | Warren Central | 2019 | SS |
- |
Hank Holdiness | MS | Warren Central | 2019 | OF | - |
Wesley Ricks | MS | Warren Central | 2019 | OF |
- |
Grayson Shealy | MS | Warren Central | 2018 | 2B |
- |
Caleb Sterling | MS | Warren Central | 2019 | C |
- |
Landon Stewart | MS | Warren Central | 2018 | OF | Southwest Mississippi CC |
Stat Rat (X-Factor)
Vantrel Reed (.385-BA, 23-RBI, 14-2B, 4-3B) (1.95-ERA, 31-K, 27-BB)
Sean Daily (.349-BA, 16-RBI, 8-2B)
DJ Lewis (.330-BA, 27-RBI, 6-2B)
Caleb Sterling (.313-BA, 17-RBI)
Logan Stewart (.302-BA, 13-RBI, 4-2B)
Christian Oakes (0.23-ERA, 33-K, 6-BB)
Aaron Greene (3.63-ERA, 34-K, 11-BB)
Outlook
The Warren Central Vikings return a balanced, young but experienced team that finish 17-15 last season. Coach Conner Douglas has a number of quality options on the mound, including a dominate trio of right-handers Christian Oaks, Aaron Greene, Mississippi recruit and Farmer Abendroth, Louisiana State recruit. Two-way player Vantrel Reed is coming off an impressive sophomore season and should provide rock solid defense up the middle as well as have an increased role on the mound. Leading the staff from behind the plate will be Caleb Sterling, who impressed at the recent Preseason Prospect ID displaying quality arm strength and athleticism that should translate well to his defensive play throughout the 2018 campaign. Also providing offensive support will be seniors Landan Stewart, DJ Lewis, both Southwest CC recruits as well as Grayson Shealy.
After looking at the amount of experience and talent they return, look for this team to have a stellar season and make a deep playoff run.
Related Content
- MS Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 1 Madison Central 2/23/18
- MS Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 2 Hattiesburg 2/22/18
- MS Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 3 Oxford 2/21/18
- MS Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 5 West Lauderdale 2/19/18
- MS Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 6 DeSoto Central 2/16/18