Competition At Its Peak in District 15-8A

Competition is at its peak in District 15-8A, what many consider the most talented and competitive district in the state.

Ferguson looks to repeat its strong performance last season when it finished at the top of the district at 18-6, but it will face stiff competition from Southwest Miami, Sunset and Columbus, all returning key players from an above .500 campaign in 2011.

Talent doesn’t end there, with Braddock and South Miami fielding tough teams and expected to bounce back from sub-par 2011 seasons. Departing from the district are the Reagan Bison (7-13), who move over to join 14-8A, and coming in are the Coral Park Rams (4-16) from District 14-6A.

Below is a team by team preview of 8A District 15…

Ferguson Falcons
Head Coach: Jose Novas
2011 Record: 22-9
Key Returning Players: Carlos Tapia, Brandon Valentin
Team Strengths: Experience, defense

Despite being a fairly new program in a very competitive district, the Ferguson Falcons have been soaring over competition for the past few seasons. Coach Jose Novas is in just his fifth season with the program, having led the Falcons to three consecutive district final appearances, two of which have resulted in championships.

When asked what he attributes the team’s success to, Novas said it’s talent.

“We’ve just been fortunate to have a lot of talent come through here,” Novas said. “We try to coach them up and nurture their skills, but talent is the name of the game.”

With 14 of about 21 starters returning from a team that often dominated fierce competition, talent is everywhere on the field. Though they lost district pitcher of the year Viktor Arche, their new number one pitcher, senior Brandon Valentin, went 4-1 last season. At the plate, they will heavily rely on Carlos Tapia, who is coming off a second-team All-Dade performance and will look to best his school-record nine homers from last season.

“These guys have been through the ringer,” Novas said. “They’ve been battle-tested and are ready to compete after a great offseason preparing. We will rely on our experience, and we’re really strong defensively up the middle.”

Their strength may be their experience and defense, but much of that will depend on whether a clear favorite can emerge from three current catchers trying to fill the spot of graduated standout Danny de la Calle.

Southwest Miami Eagles
Head Coach: Jose Torres
2011 Record: 21-7
Key Returning Players: Zack Gonzalez, Chris Mourelle, Alexis Cuevas, Alex Mangano, Brian Carreras, Alex Perera
Team Strengths: Pitching, defense

When you graduate 13 seniors from a team that went 21-7, you expect the following season to be a rebuilding campaign. Fortunately for coach Jose Torres and the Southwest Miami Eagles, the talent didn’t end on the podium.

“Even though we graduated 13 seniors from last year’s 21-7 team, we will still be very competitive due to a very strong 2011 JV squad, which was loaded with talent,” Torres said.

The Eagles can rely on pitcher Zack Gonzalez and pitcher/designated hitter Chris Mourelle to lead a returning senior class that also will include center fielder Alexis Cuevas and catcher Alex Mangano. Joining them will be newcomers Luis Aviles at shortstop, Robert Cancio at first base and pitcher Ryan Smith. Injuries have been a problem, however, with nine players fighting the injury bug that could lead to a slow start.

“We have to come together as a team to overcome these injuries and what may be a slow start,” Torres said. “If we rely on our strengths, which will be our experience and defense, we expect to compete as far as a state title.”

The Eagles will start that state title bid with three straight road games beginning Feb. 13 at Miami Palmetto, at Miami Beach Feb. 14 and at South Dade Feb. 17 before opening their home schedule hosting Coral Gables Feb. 18.

Sunset Knights
Head Coach: Armando Pelaez
2011 Record: 17-7
Key Returning Players: Michael Paez, Justin Sujo, Michael Centeno, Ryan Quintero
Team Strengths: Pitching

Everywhere the Sunset Knights went in 2011, success seamed to follow.

“We came up big in clutch situations repeatedly as a team last season,” head coach Armando Pelaez said. “Though we came up a little short on a few occasions, the experience we gained in those situations was crucial.”

The Knights won the Sarasota Classic tournament last season behind an MVP performance from then-junior Michael Paez and came in second to Ferguson in the district final. With all the starters returning from a team that finished 17-7, the Knights look to continue where they left off.

“We graduated just four seniors,” Paez said. “Our team is filled with talent and valuable experience and will be tough to beat.”

Paez returns to anchor the order along with second baseman Michael Centeno. Ryan Quintero will be the likely No. 1 starter, followed by Justin Sujo and Amare Viciedo.

The Knights begin their 2012 regular season Feb. 21 at Southwest before hosting the South Miami Cobras Feb. 23.

Christopher Columbus Explorers
Head Coach: Karl “Joe” Weber
2011 Record: 13-8
Key Returning Players: Andrew Suarez
Team Strengths: Pitching

The Columbus Explorers are especially well known for one thing in particular.

“Every year (Columbus) gets all the arms and everyone else has to figure it out,” said Adrian Casanova, head coach of district rivals Miami Coral Park.

This year in no exception, with Explorers head coach Karl “Joe” Weber expecting to field five pitchers who all throw over 90 miles per hour. Mike Vinson, Nick Collazo, Danny Dopico and Yency Almonte are all viable number one starters and will compete for playing time out of the pen in tight situations.

“Pitching will be our strength,” Weber said. “We will need to hit though to stay competitive in a tough district, and we have plenty of hitters that can step up.”

Several players on this season’s team have already followed in the schools tradition and signed to Division I college teams. Columbus has sent an incredible 97 players to D-I schools over the past 16 years. Second baseman Mike Obregon (committed to Siena) is arguably the Explorers’ most powerful hitter, but shortstop Frank Navarette (Samford) and outfielder Danny Lynch (Elon) have been known to step up in clutch situations. Combined with newcomers Brent Diaz (C-OF-1B), Kevin Suarez (OF) and Chris Perez (C) among others, the Explorers will field tough outs up and down the lineup.

“Our season will be a success if our pitching lives up to its potential and the guys who can run get on base,” Weber said.

Columbus starts its season hosting the Coral Reef Barracudas Feb. 15 before welcoming non-district opponent St. Brendan on Feb. 18.

Braddock Challengers
Head Coach: Manny Fernandez
Record Last Year: 8-11
Key Returning Players: Javier Lopez, Erne Valdes, Luis Paublini

The Braddock Challengers could not be reached for comment. They graduated 12 seniors from last year’s team, but have key players Javier Lopez (Jr. – P), Erne Valdes (Sr. – P) and Luis Paublini (Sr. – C, 1B) returning.

South Miami Cobras
Head Coach: Alexander Hernandez
2011 Record: 8-11
Key Returning Players: Carlos Garmandia, Xavier Berear, Ricky Dearmez, Paul Perenza, Danny Garmandia
Team Strengths: Depth

If you are looking for a weakness in this district, it isn’t going to be in South Miami.

“We should be pretty solid this year,” head coach Alexander Hernandez said. “We’re deep everywhere, defensively, swinging the bat. Pretty well balanced. If everything goes well, we should be at the top of our district.”

The Cobras return key players SS Carlos Garmandia, 2B Xavier Berear, 3B Ricky Dearmez, C Paul Perenza and likely number one starter P Danny Garmandia. Though most of the team consists of underclassmen, most of the players are in at least their second year lettering. If the Cobras can overcome a number of injuries to their rotation, they should be tough to beat.

“Pitching? We’re OK,” Hernandez said. “If we had all the arms we are supposed to have, it would be a different story. But we have three arms that are viable starters and brought back most of our core players from a strong sophomore class.”

South Miami opens its season hosting Coral Gables Feb. 13 before heading to Miami Palmetto Feb. 15.

Coral Park Rams
Head Coach: Adrian Casanova
2011 Record: 4-16
Key Returning Players: Ryan Palenzuela, Cesar Ramirez, Alex Marquez
Team Strengths: Youth

Coral Park will be fielding one of the youngest teams in the state, but don’t count new coach Adrian Casanova and the Rams out yet.

“We return three starters,” Casanova said. “Most of our players are sophomores, but I’d have to say youth will be our strength. I have a bunch of guys soaking up information from scratch, which to me is pretty important.”

The Rams will look to just six or seven seniors on a team of about 21 to provide experience and leadership. Infielders Ryan Palenzuela and Cesar Ramirez join catcher Alex Marquez as the on-field leaders of this young team. Senior pitchers David Alonso, Daniel Ramirez and Manny Montealegro look to provide mound leadership to up-and-coming standout sophomores like Felix Zabala and Matthew Perez.

“This is high school baseball. No one here has anything perfected,” Casanova said. “We will be working on every facet of baseball all season.”

In his first season, Casanova is looking to return to the Rams to the contention they enjoyed during his time playing in Coral Park.

“The culture here has changed,” Casanova said. “I wouldn’t consider us a powerhouse when I was playing here (class of ’99), but we produced a lot of good baseball teams and a lot of good players. The culture here was different. We’d produce one or two Division I players every once in a while, but that hasn’t happened here in a long time.”

The Rams start their season Feb. 15 at reigning state champion Hialeah before hosting TERRA Institute Feb. 17 and Braddock Feb. 21.

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