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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: Massaponax
Nickname: Panthers
Class: 5A North
Conference: 15
Coach: Dave Siegelman
Twitter:  @MassaponaxB
2015 Record: 5-15
2015 Post Season: Conference Quarterfinals
Returning Starters/Position: 5
Returning Pitchers: 3

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Thomas Cue: (MIF, 2018) Cue took over at shortstop halfway through his freshman season and locked the position down defensively with his range to the hole and quick release.
Max Larimore: (RHP/OF, 2016, Davis and Elkins) Larimore is a speedy outfielder with a big arm who has the potential to play both ways in college.
Travis Riley: (RHP/OF, 2016, Longwood) Riley will anchor the rotation from the mound and lock down centerfield when he isn’t pitching. He is currently ranked 89 in the PBR VA/DC Class of 2016 Rankings.
John Roberson: (OF, 2018) Roberson brings big-time speed to the outfield and the basepaths.
Zach Runk: (MIF/RHP, 2017) Runk is a solid defender who can play anywhere on the outfield and has decent speed and a gap-to-gap approach at the plate. He also has the ability to get up on the mound get outs with his deceptive low slot delivery.
Corey Willis: (3B/C, 2017) Willis is a versatile player with power potential who also brings solid speed for his position.
 

SEASON OUTLOOK
Massaponax is coming off of a disappointing 2015 season that saw the Panthers show improvement throughout the year and win their first round matchup in the Conference 15 Tournament. The Panthers look to be much better in 2016 as they bring back a talented core of youngsters. The Panthers will be strong defensively with an outfield that covers a lot of ground that will be anchored by seniors Riley and Larimore with help from speedster Roberson. Runk and Cue will make a strong double play combination for the next two seasons for the Panthers, whose rotation will be built around returning ace Riley with help from Larimore and Runk. Massaponax has a deep lineup and a strong defensive core to go behind the veterans at the top of their rotation. If the Panthers can get some useful innings from some of their youngsters, 2016 will be a much better season and Massaponax will be dangerous in Conference 15 and make a return to the 5A North Regional.