By Brandon Hall
Director of Scouting, PBR NC

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The North Carolina high school baseball season is full swing with the post-season just around the corner.  Prep Baseball Report is teaming up with the North Carolina Baseball Coaches Association (NCBCA) to produce a bi-monthly poll, ranking the top teams in each of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s (NCHSAA) four classifications.

In conducting the poll, Prep Baseball Report (PBR) is organizing a group of high school coaches that cover each classification and each of the eight regions of North Carolina.  PBR organizes information for the coaches to utilize during the voting process.  Every other week, PBR will gather the votes from the coaches on the poll, and put together the Top 10 from each classification.

This week, there is much more of the same from the 1A, 2A, and 3A polls.  The 4A poll continues to be the most volatile, with the most teams receiving votes, a new No. 1 for the week, and the tightest spread between the top three teams in the poll.

For the fourth consecutive poll, Cherryville tops the 1A poll.  The Ironmen are coming off a thrilling championship in the Gaston County Easter Tournament, over their spring break.  Riverside HS joins the 1A poll, as they have played well in their conference season.  As the state tournament rolls around, teams will keep an eye on the bracket to see where No. 3 Whiteville, No. 7 East Surry, and No. 9 Voyager Academy land.  Each has an arm that can take out any team in the state.

The 2A poll sees South Granville continue to have a strangle-hold on the top spot.  Forbush HS has gotten hot and rode that momentum to the No. 2 ranking.  Edenton Holmes has been extremely consistent throughout 2017, sliding out of the No. 2 spot, down to No. 3. 

Northern Guilford has finally looked human in the past couple of weeks, but a couple of tight games did not move them from the top spot.  Ledford, with two premium arms at the top of their rotation, is closing the gap, as they sit at No. 2.  Marvin Ridge, the two-time defending state champion, edges up to No. 3 as they have clinched their conference championship.

The 4A poll is the deepest and most congested.  With 16 teams receiving votes and the top three seperated by a mere 5 points, the state tournament is shaping up to be a good one.  JH Rose leap frogs New Hanover this week to re-claim the No. 1 Spot.  Fast charging TC Roberson, fresh off a championship appearance at the IMG National Classic in Bradenton, FL, sits right behind New Hanover at No. 3.  Myers Park has continued to play with consistency against a good schedule and makes a jump to No. 4 from No. 10.

PBR - NCBCA Poll for April 25, 2017

1A Poll

RK	TEAM	PREV RK
1	Cherryville	1
2	Perquimans	2
3	Whiteville	4
4	Rosewood	T-8
5	Lincoln Charter	3
6	Northside-Pinetown	5
7	East Surry	6
8	Bear Grass Charter	T-8
9	Voyager Academy	10
10	Riverside	NR

Others Receiving Votes: Walkertown, Uwharrie Charter, Pine Lake Prep

2A Poll

RK	TEAM	PREV RK
1	South Granville	1
2	Forbush	4
3	John A Holmes	2
4	North Johnston	3
5	East Rutherford	6
6	R-S Central	10
7	St.Pauls	5
8	Roanoke Rapids	NR
9	Franklin	NR
10	Bunn	8

Others Receiving Votes: Midway, Mount Pleasant, North Lenoir, Franklinton, West Davidson, North Brunswick, Randleman

3A Poll

RK	Team	Prev RK
1	Northern Guilford	1
2	Ledford	2
3	Marvin Ridge	4
4	Terry Sanford	5
5	Rockingham County	6
6	Cornith Holders	3
7	Northwood	10
8	North Gaston	NR
9	Southern Lee	7
10	West Craven	NR

Others Receiving Votes: Weddington, CB Aycock, Asheboro, West Rowan

4A Poll

RK	Team	Prev RK
1	JH Rose (Greenville)	2
2	New Hanover	1
3	TC Robeson	5
4	Myers Park	10
5	Cardinal Gibbons	4
6	North Davidson	NR
7	Southwest Guilford	9
8	Southeast Guilford	NR
9	Jordan (Durham)	3
10	Lake Norman	8

Others Receiving Votes: Holly Springs, Providence, East Forsyth, Heritage, AL Brown, Fuquay-Varina, Hough