The Wisconsin high school season kicks off on March 28, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on March 20, 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: Appleton North
Preseason Rank: 23
2016 Record: 18-9
Conference: Fox Valley Association
WIAA Division: 1
Head Coach: Dave Eagan
Playoff Run: Regional Champions
2016 Final Rank: NR

TOP PLAYERS

X-Factor

Senior Evan Sankey was a First Team All-Conference selection last year and will again be counted on to lead the Lightning on the mound and at the plate. Last season Sankey hit .335 and posted a 4-2 record with a 3.83 ERA.

Stat Rat

22-3: The record of the Lighting's Junior Varsity team last spring. After losing a lot from the pitching staff and with the new pitch count rules, look for a lot of the arms from last years JV team to step up and pick up the lost innings.

Outlook

The Lightning have posted a 141-41 record in coach Dave Eagan's tenure with the program. Last year the Lightning finished 18-9 and won a regional championship. Look for them to again be near the top of the Fox Valley Association competing with Kimberly and Hortonville. The team is deep with senior position players who will again contribute to the teams success. Last year the JV posted a 22-3 record so the talent pool runs deep for North and look for many of those players to step up and contribute at the varsity leve in 2017.

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