Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 10 Port Neches-Groves
February 15, 2018
Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 25 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage.
Team: Port Neches-Groves
2017 Record: 34-8-2
Conference Finish: 1st
Conference: 22-5A
THSA Classification: 5A
Head Coach: Scott Carter
Playoff Run: STATE CHAMPIONS
Returning Starters: 6
Returning Pitchers: 2
TOP PLAYERS
| Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
| Josh Hranicky | TX | Port Neches-Groves | 2018 | LHP | Lamar |
| Austin Bost | TX | Port Neches-Groves | 2018 | 3B | Panola JC |
| Brandon Petix | TX | Port Neches-Groves | 2018 | LHP | Alvin JC |
| Holden Lane | TX | Port Neches-Groves | 2018 | 1B | Texas Southern |
| Alec Lebouef | TX | Port Neches-Groves | 2018 | OF | |
| Jamison Simmons | TX | Port Neches-Groves | 2019 | RHP | |
| Khristian Curtis | TX | Port Neches-Groves | 2020 | RHP/OF | Texas A&M |
| Drake Varnado | TX | Port Neches-Groves | 2021 | RHP/SS | South Carolina |
| Carson Roccaforte | TX | Port Neches-Groves | 2020 | LHP |
SEASON PREVIEW
Port Neches-Groves is poised to bring home more hardware in 2018. The Indians not only return two starting pitchers from last seasons State Championsip club, but they have top tier young talent that should add depth to their rotation and lineup.
Headlining the pitching staff is left-hander Josh Hranicky, a Lamar University commit that is ranked No. in TX. Last season, Hranicky was voted 1st Team All-District as a pitcher, 1st Team TSWA 1B, and TSWA Player of the Year after posting an 11-2 record with a 1.92 ERA, 79 K's, and batting .314 with 3 home runs. 2018 LHP Brandon Petix, an Alvin JC recruit, was 2nd Team All-District. And the Indians have young arms in the stable, including recent Texas A&M commit, 2020 RHP Khristian Curtis, 2020 LHP Carson Roccaforte, and South Carolina commit 2021 Drake Varnado. Varnado is a two-way talent and could also see time on the infield.
Offensively, Panola JC recruit 3B/C Austin Bost returns at third base. Bost earned Post Season MVP awards and was 1st Team TSWA after hitting .366 with 3 triples, 14 doubles and 1 home run. The Indians stay strong on both corners with Texas Southern commit 2018 1B Holden Lane, as well as 2018 OF Alec Lebouef. Look for two-way players Drake Varnado, Khristian Curtis, and Josh Hranicky to bolster the lineup. And keep an eye on freshman switch hitting outfielder Blake Bost to add to an already talented lineup.
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