NNS Power Rankings 4-24-23
Baseball
North Lenoir (13-2) - GRADE (A)
North Lenoir picked up a clutch win from being down 7-0 in the sixth inning to winning 8-7 over East Duplin. Currently on a eight-game win streak the Hawks have a huge game tomorrow against Southwest Onslow (15-2) that could possibly be the East Central Conference championship game.
Greene Central (15-3) - GRADE (A)
The Rams continue to impress as they are on a 13-game winning streak and clinched the Eastern Plains Conference championship last week by sweeping West Craven. GC is currently second in the 2A east NCHSAA maxpreps RPI. The RPI is used to seed playoff teams in NC.
South Lenoir (10-6) - GRADE (B)
The Blue Devils have won three of the last four games including a huge win against East Duplin. With four games left on the schedule, SL has a very important stretch of games remaining. The Blue Devils must find a way of winning 2-3 games of the last four.
Arendell Parrott (14-7) - GRADE (B)
The Patriots had an up and down past couple of weeks with an exciting come from behind win against Greenfield to a tough loss against a very good Wayne Country Day squad. APA has five games left on the schedule with a slim chance at first place but a real shot at second. The Patriots have a huge game at home May 2nd against John Paul II Catholic.
Bethel (10-4) - GRADE (B)
The Trojans won four of the last five games by outsourcing their opponent 70-5 in their last four wins. Bethel has three games left including two huge games against 14-2 Bear Grass Charter and 11-7 (6-0 in conference play) Wilmington Christian Academy. BCA is currently in second place in the conference.
Jones Sr (5-11) - GRADE (C)
After two straight losses in the Easter tournament, the Trojans scooped up back-to-back conference wins. Jones has four games left on the schedule and they must try to capture all four for playoff purposes. Garris Andrews and Maja Brown have been major players for the Trojans.
Kinston (1-12) - GRADE (D+)
Kinston has dropped their last three games against three good teams. However with four games left on the schedule, we are predicting the Vikings to win two of the last four games. Vikings have scored eight runs in their last three games. Kinston continues to improve in the building process. Last season the Vikings averaged 2.8 runs per game compared to 3.8 runs this season.
Softball
South Lenoir (8-6) - GRADE (B+)
This is the time for South Lenoir experience to step up. I am calling Mary Grace Beyer, Gracie Howard, and Makayla Sasnett to the plate. Five games left in your senior season (regular season), the way the story will be written will be upon your shoulders. This last stretch is critical for the Blue Devils as they are fighting for a second place finish in the conference and playoff position.
North Lenoir (9-4) - GRADE (B)
The Hawks have had a rough stretch after a brilliant start. NL has lost back-to-back conference games including a huge 22-3 loss to South Lenoir and also lost a key starter for the season. The Hawks must find a way to get their mojo back rolling with four games left on the schedule and tussling for second place in conference with the Blue Devils.
Jones Senior (7-5) - GRADE (B-)
With only playing two games in the past three weeks the Trojans went 1-1. Jones Sr. has five games left on the schedule and the talent to win every single one of them including two big games against conference front runner 13-3 Northside-Pinetown. Senior Lynn King has been killing it for the Trojans, will it be enough to make a late season run for playoff position?
Bethel (7-2) - GRADE (B-)
The Lady Trojans are sitting in first place with three games left in the season. BCA is riding a five-game winning streak headed into the end of season stretch. The Trojans have the conference championship game scheduled this Friday against Wilson Christian Academy. After a 6-11 season last year, don’t let the grade fool you. The Trojans are having an outstanding season.
Arendell Parrott (5-6) - GRADE (C)
APA is a good team but they must find ways to win on the road. The good news is the Lady Patriots are 4-2 at home with four of their last five games at home. APA has a chance to avenge two of their losses from earlier against Faith Christian and Wilson Christian.
Greene Central (0-17) - GRADE (D-)
The Rams are still chipping away at the building process. GC put up six runs in their last game against West Craven tying their season high for runs in a game. With five games left on the schedule, the Rams look to continue to improve to finish off the season.
Kinston (0-13) - GRADE (D-)
The Vikings continue to endure their building process this season. Kinston scored three runs in their last game against a very good Wallace-Rose Hill team. The three runs is a mark of improvement after going scoreless in 10 of their 13 games. With three tough games left on the schedule, the Vikings are looking to put up a good fight to finish the season.
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