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: Westosha Central
Preseason Rank: 7
2016 Record: 18-8
Conference: Southern Lakes
WIAA Division: 1
Head Coach: Jacob Morman
Playoff Run: Regional Finals
2016 Final Rank: NR
 

TOP PLAYERS

X-FACTOR

Austin Glidden could be a big part of the Falcon success in 2017. Coach Morman returns eight starters from last season's roster, with several returning all-conference players and four seniors. But Glidden, who pulls two-way duties for the Falcons could see a huge spike in numbers this year. As a freshman, Glidden went 3-1 on the mound with a 4.24 ERA in 33 innings. The sophomore has next level stuff and has the potential to be a legitimate ace type arm to go along with Parker Krumm who returns after a perfect 6-0 season with a 2.14 ERA. If Glidden makes the jump that he has the potential to make, that makes the Falcons even that much scarier in 2017.

STAT RAT

Tanner Bykowski returns to the Falcon lineup after a massive year, hitting almost everything in sight. Bykowski hit a whopping .488 on the year with 15 doubles and two home runs, while knocking in 37. Bykowski will likely hit in the middle of the Falcon lineup and is no easy out, striking out only nine times in 100 plate appearances last year.

OUTLOOK

Westosha Central returns a boat load from their 2017 roster that went 18-8 and lost to eventual state champ Burlington in the Regional Finals. The Falcons will feature a good mix of senior leadership and high ceiling youth on their roster. The offense will be led by seniors Tanner Bykowski (McHenry County JC) and Garrett Gilbert (Creighton) who will likely anchor the middle of the lineup. Josh Leslie, Trent Jones, and Bryce Biedryzcki all return .300 plus averages and Leslie is a premium defender at shortstop. The staff returns 19 starts among their top three arms in Parker Krumm, Austin Glidden and Bryce Edwards. All three logged more than 30 innings and the only glaring defect in the trio will be cutting down the walks in 2017, together the three gave away more free passes than strikeouts last season. Look for the Falcons to finish near the top of a competitive Southern Lakes this season and if the bats are clicking, watch out come playoff time.

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