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2014 OHS Baseball Preview

2/28/2014

 
It's that time of the year again - we are just a little more than three months removed from Coach Chase Goolsby's Red Sox winning the 2013 World Series. It is High School Baseball season once again. Like last time, I'll try to put out what the OHS Starting Lineup should look like and what to expect this season.

So, I'll try to give another crack at it for 2014...

Batting 1st: Michael Bianco (Center Field / Infielder) - he'll make the transition from a starting infielder to Center Field to replace Aundrel Turner - who was arguably the best outfielder since the 2005 State Championship run. He played the position during summer ball so he has experience now in that position. I had Bianco starting at the leadoff spot last year but his bat did not come around until the playoffs. His skill set at the plate and obvious knowledge of the game because of his family ties that let's him bat here.

Batting 2nd: Matthew Guyton (2nd Base / Shortstop) - He will be where Bianco started most of the year, he did not bat nor fielded well last year to last long in the starting lineup when he was on it. Oxford will need a new second basemen - Brooks Krouse is an option but not preferred. He doesn't have that bad of a bat, but if he doesn't do well this year, there are several other players wanting to take this position - Houston Roth, because he is needed as a pitcher this year, could fill this spot (although bat different in the order) if given the chance. Guyton went 3-for-5 with 4 RBI in the Jamboree against Amory.

Batting 3rd: Jack McClure (Catcher) - He will replace Henry Webb in the field as the every-game starter behind the plate. McClure's stats last year batting in the 5-hole were very similar to that of Webb's. He is also one of the two power-hitters on the team that can knock it out of any park at any given at-bat. Like Webb though, there has been the thought of putting McClure at lead-off (I did anyways), but this would be the preferred spot in the lineup. It is possible to see him on the mound as McClure did pitch during the summer.

Batting 4th: Hunter Roth (3rd Base / Pitcher) - Roth has been accustomed to this position by now and did well especially late in the year. He'll start at 3rd when he is not pitching. He is the No. 2 pitcher (again) on the staff and seemingly been stuck in the same spot in the lineup and in the pitching rotation thanks to the rise of Ole Miss commit Jason Barber. He had more plate appearances with runners in scoring position last year than not. A big reason why he bats here and led the team in RBI's.

Batting 5th: Jason Barber (Pitcher / 3rd Base / 2nd Base / Designated Hitter) - The Ace pitcher on the squad - and he's just a sophomore, and it is just not fair. His fastball is nearing 90 MPH. His bat wasn't bad either, the second leading hitter on the team behind William Elliott last year. He did lead the team in strikeouts which is his one flaw at the plate and one of the main reasons he is batting here and not 3rd. If Hunter Roth and Barber aren't pitching, they can't share 3rd Base. Barber would likely move to second if another pitcher were to make their trip to the mound (i.e. Houston Roth, Pittman Phillips) or he could DH and put Lamar out on the field and Bianco back to 2nd Base if he and Roth doesn't pitch to start the game.

Batting 6th: Brooks Krouse (Left Field) - He did bat second last year after earning a spot in the lineup after not starting on opening day at all and was kept there almost out of comfort and rhythm. Guyton's bat is coming around and was the 2nd hitter to start the year and I see him being there this time around. Krouse swings the bat very often to where he led the team in reaching base through an error by the opposing team.

Batting 7th: Chadwick Lamar (Designated Hitter / Outfielder) - Unlike last year where he was being DH'ed for to start the year, he is now DH'ing for someone else. His bat got hotter right before region play and stayed at the DH position ever since. He was DH'ing for Pittman Phillips or Bianco for the majority part of the season last year based on which bat was hotter at the time. If he plays defensively, find him in outfield playing any one of the three spots.

Batting 8th: Tyler Jackson (Right Field) - Jackson will finally get his chance to start when the season begins. He had probably the best summer of any Oxford player had last year with a hot bat and with an average well above .500. He will take over the position where Elliott played last year. This plug-in here will either work like a charm (and rise himself up in the batting order) or work into oblivion and drop completely out of the lineup.

Batting 9th: Pittman Phillips (Shortstop / 2nd Base) - Phillips is the best defensive player Oxford has in the field and they cannot afford to lose him defensively. His bat is still a problem like last year, but has shown strokes of getting hot. He is also an option on the mound when they need him - led the team last year with a flat 1.00 ERA - that is assuming his shoulder problem has been solved.

Other Players to watch for:

Houston Roth (Pitcher / 2nd Base) - He WILL play this year as he is the team's viable No. 3 pitcher on the team. He is likely to start maybe a couple of region games if the chips fall where they may. Last year, Oxford used a 3-pitcher rotation during region play, and it helped keep New Hope off balanced when they saw his brother Hunter Roth late in the year - the only pitcher they didn't see in the other two meetings. It's possible he could play 2nd Base and bat if Guyton isn't able to do the job.

Drew Phillips (1st Base / Pitcher) - He is the likely candidate to replace McClure at first base (like he was in position to be last year when Parker Adamson quit the team) as McClure moves from 1st Base to behind the plate. If the chance arises, he could bat in the lineup or do mop-up pitching duty as he did during the summer. If he is able to hold his spot at first base, he would start there but be DH'ed for. The chance could arise of course if a player slips batting to get into the lineup.

Ben Bianco (Catcher) - He could see playing time and give McClure a break during weekends when Oxford plays non-region opponents or during Spring Break. A gifted freshmen that will fight later on for a spot in the starting lineup when the dust clears next year that will see 6 of the probable 9 starting seniors graduate. McClure would play first base if Bianco plays and start at catcher.

The lineup listed is the ideal lineup with Oxford's No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers on the mound. If Houston Roth were to start on the mound, the lineup will shift and a bunch of position changes may occur. Injuries to Hunter Roth and Pittman Phillips have limited where they can go and what they can do right now. Roth can play third but hasn't been able to be well enough to pitch yet and will be a game-time decision come this Saturday. Pittman is well enough to play 2nd Base if needed and shift Guyton over to Shortstop for the time being.

Oxford lost two really experienced outfielders last year and it is where they will hurt the most. No one can replace the job Aundrel Turner did in Center Field last year with his speed on his feet, the throwing speed of the ball, and the searingly good accuracy when trying to throw out opponents. William Elliott is another who turned into a sure-fire out on any fly ball hit to him. Experience in the outfield is what Oxford really loses out there. Michael Bianco and Jackson are good in their own rights, but it is just hard to completely replace what we saw last year. Krouse returns in Left Field. Oxford does have four players that could play outfield.

The infield - while everyone that played those four main positions returns - will be shuffled. McClure is the obvious choice to go behind the plate after Henry Webb graduated - which means someone will have to replace first base. Michael Bianco is moving to Center Field, which means someone will have to replace 2nd Base. Guyton will get another shot at 2nd Base if Pittman is well enough to play Shortstop and Drew Phillips gets another shot to play first base. If those two don't do well like last year, something will have to change. If Ben Bianco rises up and manages to sneak into the lineup, he may play Catcher and McClure although first option at Catcher may have to manage first base again like last year. A number of players could be a plug-in and play 2nd including those I've listed earlier.

Oxford's schedule is set up with a number of neutral games being played in a Tournament setting - with only two of the first seven games being true road games, followed by Oxford's annual Spring Break Tournament. Back-to-back Lafayette games set up to mimic Oxford's region schedule (play the same team at one place Tuesday then at the other place Friday), and then region play.

#FactFriday - February 28

2/28/2014

 

Here are some facts for you to keep up with this Friday. They can range from sports to things you could care less about. Here we go:

  • This is the third straight year Oxford Boys Basketball reached the Regional Championship game and then lost.
  • This is the second time in three years Oxford Boys swept West Point in the regular season, but lost to them in the 2-5A Tournament Championship.
  • Shelby McEwen against Center Hill posted a 1st Half double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. He ended with 18 & 14 respectively.
  • Oxford Girls Basketball held leads in the 2nd Half in both games against New Hope (held 24-12 halftime lead) and Clarksdale (held 39-35 4th quarter lead). Oxford lost both of those games by 8 & 10 points.
  • Oxford Baseball as a team hit 2 Home Runs in the 2nd Game of the Jamboree against Amory (Jack McClure and Preston Perkins each hit one). Oxford as a team last season hit just 7 Home Runs.
  • Only two players return from last season that started all 34 games defensively for Oxford: Pittman Phillips and Hunter Roth. Additionally, Roth is the only player from last year's team - returning or not - that started all 34 games on the starting lineup and defensively.
  • On this date in 1827, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad is Incorporated, becoming the first railroad in America to offer commercial transportation for the people and freight.
  • On this date in 1940, Basketball is televised for the first time - Fordham vs. Pittsburgh in Madison Square Garden.
  • On this date in 1954, Colored TV Sets are offered for sale for the first time to the general public.
    On this date in 1983, the final episode of M*A*S*H is aired. It is the most watched non-Super Bowl show aired in television history.
  • On this date in 1997, GRB 970228 - a gamma ray - strikes the Earth for 80 seconds. The gamma ray was struck from 8.1 Billion Light Years away, providing evidence that gamma ray bursts occur well beyond the Milky Way Galaxy. It is possible that a Supernova created the strike.
  • On this date in 2013 - last year -, Pope Benedict XVI resigned as Pope of the Catholic Church, the first to do so since 1415.
    Today is Rare Disease Day.
    Today is National Tooth Fairy Day.
    Today is Public Sleeping Day.
  • Today is the birthdays of Hall of Fame and former Iowa College Football Coach Hayden Fry (85), Hall of Fame and former North Carolina College Basketball Coach Dean Smith (83), Actor best known for his Sales Manager role in the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati Frank Bonner (72), Actress best known for her role as Emily Gilmore in the sitcom Gilmore Girls Kelly Bishop (70), FOX Game Analyst and former NFL Super Bowl-winning coach (won SB XXXV) for the Baltimore Ravens Brian Billick (60), Author of the Judy Moody Children's Book Series Megan McDonald (55), and SF for the Memphis Grizzlies Tayshaun Prince (34).

#FactFriday - February 21

2/18/2014

 
Here are some facts for you to keep up with this Friday. They can range from sports to things you could care less about. Here we go:


  • Oxford Baseball unofficially begins its season tomorrow at home with 2 4-inning games against Amory. Those games do not count towards the overall record.
  • Oxford Boys Basketball played New Hope a little differently Tuesday Night than they did in the other two meetings and got the win. The Chargers won the inside battle - a battle they had lost in the other two meetings. Oxford also did a better job inside defensively. In the last meeting, New Hope was 22-33 inside the 3-point arc (67%), Tuesday, they were just 16-39 (41%). Oxford's focus on the inside game also helped out in staying away from the 3-ball. Oxford took 30 3's in the last meeting (made 6), they took just 13 Tuesday (made 4). Oxford destroyed New Hope on the boards, winning that battle 41-26 (they only won it 39-36 last meeting). They also somewhat kept New Hope away from the Free Throw line as well, last meeting New Hope took 36 trips, Tuesday only 24 (and made only 50% of their free throws as opposed to 75% last meeting).
  • Oxford PG/SG Darryl King has been very effective in Oxford's last two games. While he hasn't actually scored himself, he made sure the others were in position to. King has 18 Assists, 8 Rebounds, and 4 Steals in his last two games - and zero points. He also leads the team in "plus/minus" with +29 point difference over the last two games.
  • The receiving end of those: Shelby McEwen who has picked up his game as of late. McEwen has 43 points, 17 rebounds, 4 blocks, and shooting 58% from the floor. He has gathered 50 efficiency points - which leads the team - over those two games. Cortez Jones has also been effective with 36 points, 13 rebounds, 6 steals, shooting 56%, and with 42 efficiency points.
  • New Hope only had 4 Assists on 18 made Field Goals Tuesday. They had 14 Assists on 27 made Field Goals last meeting.
  • Oxford Girls Basketball defeated West Point by ending the game on a 37-4 run. The score was a 27-21 Oxford lead with 5:06 left in the 3rd before the run started.
  • Janesha Johnson outscored West Point by herself - scoring 28 points in the game Tuesday (West Point as a team scored 25 points).
  • Oxford Girls has outscored their opponents 70-20 in the 2nd Half of the last two games. They only outscored their opponents 49-35 in the 1st Half of the last two games.
  • On this date in 1842, John Greenough is granted the first U.S. Patent for the sewing machine.
  • On this date in 1878, the first telephone book is issued in New Haven, CT.
  • On this date in 1885, the Washington Monument is dedicated.
  • On this date in 1918, the last Carolina Parakeet dies in captivity at the Cincinnati Zoo.
  • On this date in 1925, The New Yorker publishes its first issue.
  • On this date in 1947, Edwin Land demonstrates the first "instant camera" (The Polaroid Land Camera) to a meeting of the Optical Society of America.
  • On this date in 1948, NASCAR is incorporated.
  • On this date in 1972, President Richard Nixon becomes the first president to visit China.
  • On this date in 1986, The Legend of Zelda, the first game of the named series, was released in Japan.
  • This weekend is Texas Cowboy Poetry Weekend.
  • Today is International Mother Language Day.
  • Today is Card Reading Day.
  • Today is the birthdays of retired American Sportswriter Bob Ryan (68), Actress, Author, and Singer Jennifer-Love Hewitt (35), Singer, Model, Producer, Dancer, and Actor most famously known for the role of Chad Danforth in the High School Musical series Corbin Bleu (25), and Actress best known for her role as Sansa Stark in HBO's Game of Thrones series Sophie Turner (18).

#FactFriday - February 14

2/14/2014

 
Here are some facts for you to keep up with this Friday. They can range from sports to things you could care less about. Here we go:

  • Oxford Girls Basketabll continues its poor shooting, hitting 27.5% (14-51) of their shots against New Hope. The Lady Trojans shot 57% (29-51) from the field.
  • Oxford Boys Basketball did not do much better, hitting 35% (23-66) of their shots, but 30 of those 66 were from 3, hitting just 6-30 (20%). Oxford did outrebound the Trojans 39-36. New Hope shot 57% (27-47), most of the shots being at the rim. That would also explain why they went to the free throw line 36 times, while Oxford made the trip 17 times. Four different New Hope players had an efficiency point rating of 17 or better, Oxford did not have one. (Highest was Shelby McEwen with 13).
  • Tonight will be the last regular season Basketball game when Oxford travels to Coldwater tonight. It was originally a home game for Oxford until they had to make schedule changes due to renovations needing to start at the old OHS.
  • Times have been decided for the 2-5A Region Tournament in Saltillo:
    • Oxford Girls will play West Point at 4:00 PM Tuesday.
    • Oxford Boys will play New Hope at 8:30 PM Tuesday.
  • This is the first game in any sport for Oxford since last Friday - there was not any scheduled for this past Tuesday.
  • Baseball season officially starts in 8 days for High School. Oxford will play two pre-season 4-inning games against Amory next Saturday - those do not count towards the regular season or towards the overall record.
  • Oxford had a "Snow Day" Tuesday. That day will be made up on Friday, April 18th - the Friday before Easter. Any other days that may be missed throughout the rest of the year will be made up at the end of the school year, starting with May 23rd.
  • On this date in 1849, President James Polk becomes the first serving US President to have his photograph taken which was done in New York City.
  • On this date in 1899, voting machines are approved by the US Congress for use in federal elections.
  • On this date in 1918, the Soviet Union adopts the Gregorian Calendar.
  • On this date in 1920, the League of Women Voters is founded in Chicago, IL.
  • On this date in 1962, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy gives TV viewers a tour of the White House.
  • On this date in 2005, YouTube is launched. It is currently the largest video sharing website in the world.
  • Today is the statehood days of Oregon (1849) and Arizona (1912).
  • This week is International Flirting Week.
  • Today is Library Lovers Day.
  • Today is National Call In Single Day.
  • Today is Valentine's Day.
  • There will be a full moon tonight, occurring at 5:53 CST.
  • Today is the birthdays of Sportscaster Pat O'Brien (66), Actress Tiffany Thornton (28), and former NFL QB, notably for the New England Patriots Drew Bledsoe (42).

#FactFriday - February 7

2/5/2014

 
Here are some facts for you to keep up with this Friday. They can range from sports to things you could care less about. Here we go:

  • Oxford Girls Soccer outshot New Hope 27-8 in their playoff game Saturday. In their final three games of the year, Oxford outshot its opponents 79-19 and went 1-2 in those games. No, it doesn't make sense.
  • Oxford Boys Basketball defeated West Point last Friday, giving the Green Wave two of their five losses on the year. West Point is 21-5 on the year entering tonight. Oxford needs a win over New Hope tonight to clinch the #1 seed in the 2-5A Region Tournament.
  • Shelby McEwen has clearly been Oxford's best player lately. Over the last 2 games, he has scored an "efficiency" point rating of a 38 - best on the team. He has scored 32 points, grabbed 21 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists.
  • Although Oxford Girls went 2-0 their past two games, their shooting wouldn't tell it to you. Oxford has shot the ball at a 29% clip (36-126). Oxford against West Point grabbed a whopping 53 rebounds in their win. The two teams missed 74 shots from the field and 31 shots from the free throw line. There was a total of 93 rebound chances in the game - mind you, they played only 32 game minutes.
  • Today officially begins the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, which will last until February 16th. The Opening Ceremony is tonight.
  • On this date in 1795, the 11th Amendment was ratified - the first Amendment after the Bill of Rights was formed - which provided sovereign immunity to people from a different state if they committed an offense that would break the law that is different than their own state.
  • On this date in 1935, the board game Monopoly was invented.
  • On this date in 1940, the second full-length animated Walt Disney feature-film Pinocchio premieres in theaters.
  • On this date in 1964, The Beatles arrive in the United States for the first time, beginning the "British Invasion". They would appear on The Ed Sullivan Show two days later for a performance.
  • Today is Independence Day in the country of Grenada, having gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1974.
  • Today is Bubble Gum Day
  • Today is Girl Scout Cookie Day
  • Next Week is Risk Awareness Week.
  • This month celebrates/observes the following: American Heart Month, Avocado & Banana Month, Beat the Heat Month (Really?), Library Lovers Month, National Black History Month, National Cherry Month, National Condom Month, National Children's Dental Health Month, National Hot Breakfest Month, National Parent Leadership Month, National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, National Time Management Month, National Weddings Month, and Youth Leadership Month.
  • Today is the birthdays of TV & Film Producer, Film Director, and Actor Chris Rock (49), Los Angeles Lakers PG Steve Nash (40), Producer & Actor Ashton Kutcher (36), Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford (26), and the mother of former Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain, Roberta McCain (102).

2014 OHS Tennis Schedule

2/1/2014

 
Here is the Varsity Schedule for the Tennis team for 2014:

Key: Date - Opponent - Place - Time

March 1 - New Albany - Away - 10:00 AM
March 3 - West Point* - Home - 4:00 PM
March 4 - Tupelo - Home - 4:00 PM
March 7 & 8 - TBA^ (Multiple Games) - Neutral - TBA
March 18 - New Hope* - Away - 4:00 PM
March 20 - Grenada - Away - 4:00 PM
March 21 - Madison Central - Home - 2:00 PM
March 25 - Pontotoc - Home - 4:00 PM
March 27 - Saltillo* - Home - 4:00 PM
March 28 - Northwest Rankin - Away - 5:00 PM
March 29 - TBA% (Multiple Games) - Neutral - TBA
April 1 - New Albany - Home - 4:00 PM
April 3 - Lafayette - Home - 4:00 PM
April 4 & 5 - TBA& (Multiple Games) - Neutral - TBA
April 9 - Individual Division 2-5A Tournament - Home - 10:00 AM

* - Division 2-5A Games /
^ - Pensacola (FL) Tournament / % - Meridian Tournament / & - Tupelo Tournament

JV Schedule:

March 3 - Pontotoc - Away - 4:00 PM
March 19 - Tupelo - Away - 4:00 PM
March 20 - Alcorn Central - Away - 4:00 PM
March 24 - New Albany - Away - 4:00 PM
March 26 - Grenada - Home - 4:00 PM
March 27 - TBA* (Multiple Games) - Neutral - TBA
March 31 - Tupelo - Home - 4:00 PM
April 2 - TCPS - Home - 4:00 PM
April 5 - TBA^ (Multiple Games) - Home - 9:00 AM
April 7 - New Albany - Home - 4:00 PM


* - Meridian Tournament / ^ - Oxford JV Tournament

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