If you’d listened to Granada coach Manuel Gonzales, he’d have told you two years ago about pitcher Danny Morales.
Gonzales, who has been at the school since the mid-1960s, called Morales one of the best he’s ever had.
“You gotta see this kid,” Gonzales said. “He can bring it.”
High praise from a coach who has seen quality athletes come and go.
Granada will have to get more pitching, especially from junior Tyndan Marquez, if it is to stay with District 3 heavyweight and defending state champion Eads.
With seven players, including first team all-state selections Wes Richardson at first base, infielder Kevin Lindholm and player-of-the-year Kenan Gooden back in the fold, Eads will be tough to beat.
District 2, the beneficiary of a four-team District 1, will again qualify three teams into the eight-team postseason tournament. Stratton appears to be the class of the 11-team district. Hi-Plains, Idalia and Herzl/RHMA should duke it out for the other two spots.
Caliche, a quarterfinalist in 2007, has all the tools to make not only a run at the District 4 crown, but also the state title. Craig Debus was a first-team outfielder last season and will be asked to do even more for coach Randy Kirkwood in 2008.
Class 1A
Top teams
1. Eads
2. Granada
3. Caliche
4. Stratton
5. Hi-Plains
Players to watch
Augustine Acuna, Sr., Manzanola, INF
C. Beanland, Sr., Dove Creek, P/INF
Craig Debus, Sr., Caliche, OF
Sean Fehringer, Sr., Peetz, C
Kenan Gooden, Sr., Eads, P
Kendall Kroeger, Jr., Haxtun, C
Kevin Lindholm, Sr., Eads, INF
Tyler Marr, Jr., Comm. Christian, C
Daniel Morales, Sr., Granada, P
Josh Reyes, So., Manzanola, So., P
J. Rivera, Sr., Manzanola, P/INF
Tyson Thrall, Jr., Granada, DH
Wes Richardson, Sr., Eads, 1B
Gage Roelle, Sr., Peetz, Util.
Sam Rotbart, So., Herzl/RMHA, P-C
Jeron Sharpe, Sr., Springfield, INF
Hayden Uhland, Jr., Eads, INF
Adam Watts, So., Eads, OF
Derek Weingardt, Jr., Caliche, INF
