The NCHSAA Tournament has entered its Regional Final stage.  There are 4 teams at each classification that can taste the championship dog pile.  Below we breakdown the 2A Regional Finals with a look at each club and our scout's thoughts on what could be coming this week.

NCHSAA 2A Regional Final Previews

WEST REGION

TUE 5/21 -- East Rutherford at Burns
THUR 5/23 -- Burns at East Rutherford
SAT 5/25 -- East Rutherford at Burns (if needed)

HOW THEY GOT HERE

No. 1 Seed - Burns

The defending 2A State Champions have worked to play a tough schedule, putting together a solid string of playoff teams in the early season, but the Bulldogs have not been challenged a whole lot this spring.  Their one-two punch at the top of their rotation has as much pitch-ability as any other rotation in the state.  Colby Putnam is a true ace.  The lineup has the depth of a high end 4A club with start power in Putnam and Marshall McGowan. Are they beat-able... Yes -- all teams can "get got".  However, there has not been a team step up and take on that challenge in 2024, yet.

Path to the Regional Final
+ East Burke - 6-1
+ McMichael - 10-0
+ Bandys - 8-1
+ North Stanly - 5-2

No. 2 Seed - East Rutherford

Need a team to step up and take on an undefeated reigning state champion... How about the Cavs, who expect to be in this situation when the school year starts, and only have 1 blimish on their 2024 record.  The Cavs have several wins over 3A and 4A state playoff teams, some by dominating run totals.  The lone loss came early, as the offense was finding itself.  While the Cavs have solid pitching, this series could be a battle to see how their offense gets through on the big arms of the Bulldogs.

Path to the Regional Final
+ Hendersonville - 6-1
+ West Davidson - 8-3
+ West Stanly - 11-1
+ Morehead - 8-7

West Region Bracket

EAST REGION

TUE 5/21 -- Whiteville at Greene Central
THUR 5/23 -- Greene Central at Whiteville
SAT 5/25 -- Whiteville at Greene Central (if needed)

HOW THEY GOT HERE

No. 1 Seed - Greene Central

If you were to build a team that has a chance to win a state title year in and year out, you would start with multiple aces and follow that with the ability to catch the baseball at a high level.  Finally put together an offense that puts the ball in play and can execute in tight situations.  This is what Greene Central has been all year.  Yes they have beaten down lesser opponents, but in big situations, they do a lot of things right, a lot of the time, forcing the opposition to do something special to create winning chances.

Path to the Regional Final
+ Goldsboro - 18-0
+ South Lenoir - 5-0
+ Bunn - 5-1
+ Midway - 1-0 (9)

No. 2 Seed - Whiteville

Can a 23-1 team that has won 23 straight games really be "under the radar".  Maybe... Whiteville just does what Whiteville does.  It is a very tough place to play on the road, and much like Greene Central, the Wolfpack plays the game at a high level across the board, forcing opponents to try to match their level of consistency.  While they may be missing the premium star they have depth in the lineup and on the bump.  This will be a great series.

Path to the Regional Final
+ Louisburg - 10-0
+ SW Edgecombe - 7-4
+ Seaforth - 6-1
+ North Lenoir - 5-2

East Region Bracket

PRE-TOURNAMENT PREDICITIONS - REVISITED

CINDERELLA STORY - WEST REGION

Below is what our team of scouts wrote prior to the tournament.  We have underlined areas where they were on to something and crossed out areas that were way off.  See how they did.

Brandon Hall, NC/Mid-ATL Scouting Director:

This is a very top heavy bracket where I think the top seeds have more talent overall and by a pretty big margin.  Anything can happen in a single elimination tournament but I think the top 7-8 seeds have separation.  Inside the top 8... different story and there should be some great games. 

Patrick Johnson, NC Asst Scouting Director:

Anything can happen in single elimination games but top seeds are the powerhouses in this years tournament. Look for good games outside of the top 10 seeds but I still believe that the top seeds will show their true colors throughout the tourney. 

Zach Boraski, NC Asst Scouting Director:

A top heavy bracket where in a single elimination game anything can happen. Even with top teams being powerhouses I believe if anyone is going to make a run it is RS Central.  A old group who is coming in to the playoffs with a 20 win season under there belt.

SCOUTS PICKS - FINAL FOUR & WEST REGION CHAMPION

Brandon Hall:

No. 1 Burns vs. No. 4 Forbush
No. 6 Randleman vs. No. 7 West Stanly

Region Championship
No. 1 Burns vs. No. 7 West Stanly

Region Champion
No. 1 Burns in 2 games.

Patrick Johnson: 

No. 1 Burns vs. No. 4 Forbush
No. 2 East Rutherford vs. No. 7 West Stanly

Region Championship
No.1 Burns vs. No. 2 East Rutherford

Region Champion
No.1 Burns in 2 games

Zach Boraski:

No. 1 Burns vs. No. 4 Forbush
No. 3 Morehead vs. No. 2 East Rutherford

Region Championship
No. 4 Forbush vs. No. 2 East Rutherford

Region Champion
No. 4 Forbush in 3 games.

CINDERELLA STORY - EAST REGION

From our team of scouts, a look at the bracket to see if any teams outside the Top 10 seeds could make a run.

Brandon Hall, NC/Mid-ATL Scouting Director:

There are a couple of higher seeds that could create some early trouble for the favorites.  One to keep an eye on will be Farmville Central.  I think they have challenged themselves in the regular season with their schedule and they should be prepped for anything they see in the post-season.

Patrick Johnson, NC Asst Scouting Director:

I like the top seeds to stay in form but look out for Farmville Central to cause some trouble throughout the tourney. 

Zach Boraski, NC Asst Scouting Director:

The top seeds should make there into the finals, however I could see East Carteret making a mini run.

Brandon Hall:

No. 1 Greene Central vs. No. 4 Midway
No. 6 South Granville vs. No. 2 Whiteville

Region Championship
No. 1 Greene Central vs. No. 2 Whiteville

Region Champion
No. 1 Greene Central in 3 games.

Patrick Johnson: 

No. 1 Greene Central vs. No. 4 Midway
No. 2 Whiteville vs. No. 3 North Lenior

Region Championship
No. 1 Greene Central vs. No. 2 Whiteville

Region Champion
No. 1 Greene Central in 3 games

Zach Boraski:

No. 1 Greene Central vs. No. 4 Midway
No. 2 Whiteville vs. No. 3 North Lenior

Region Championship
No. 1 Greene Central vs. No. 2 Whiteville

Region Champion
No. 1 Greene Central in 2 games

 

UPDATED PREDICTIONS

Brandon Hall -- All three of us have a chance to see our predictions hold (except Zach's West picks)... No. 1 Greene Central in 3 games and Burns in 2 games

Patrick Johnson -- No. 1 Greene Central in 3 games and Burns in 2 games

Zach Boraski -- No. 1 Greene Central in 2 games and Burns in 2 games