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By John Nolan
Assistant Director of Scouting/Content Management 

As we enter February, the high school season is quickly approaching. As the month progresses and February turns into March, we will take a look at high school programs throughout our coverage area as they prepare for the 2016 season.
 

Team: John Champe
Nickname: Knights
Class: 4A West
Conference: 22
Coach: Joe McDonald
Twitter: @champebaseball
2015 Record: 14-10
2015 Post Season: Conference 28 Runners-up, Regional Tournament
Returning Starters/Position: 9
Returning Pitchers: All
 

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Zach Burdick (LHP/OF, 2016) Burdick received All-Conference honors in 2015.
Yareb Martinez (SS, 2017) Martinez is currently ranked 51^st overall in the PBR VA/DC Class of 2017 Rankings. Martinez is an athletic infielder with a good arm and a solid line drive swing that has gap potential.

SEASON OUTLOOK
Champe had a strong 2015 season in just its second year of varsity competition, finishing as the Conference 28 Runners-up to eventual State Finalist Loudoun Valley and reaching the 3A East Regional tournament before being eliminated by a very good Kettle Run team. Reclassification hits Champe as the Knights enter their third season as they have been moved to Conference 22 and to the incredibly deep 4A West, which might be the best region in VHSL this year. The Knights return their entire lineup and will be anchored defensively at short by the talented Martinez. Burdick will lead a pitching staff that also brings everyone back from 2015. Champe will look to improve on their big turnaround season of 2015 and return to the Regional Tournament a year older with the potential to be dangerous.