POWERADE STATE GAMES: A quintet of county players picked by Region 2 coaches

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 15, 2017 7:01 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

GREENSBORO -- Wayne County Post 11 head coach Jason Sherrer may feel a little lonely in the dugout for the next few days.

Five players were selected for the Region 2 squad that opens play against Region 4 this morning in the 2017 Powerade State Games of North Carolina baseball tournament.

UNC Greensboro is playing host to the four-day event.

Jack Casbarro and Jonathan Peacock are making their second straight appearance for Region 2. They're joined by Rosewood's Chance Howard and Charles B. Aycock's duo of Cody Whaley and Blake Gipson.

"JP and Jack, as sophomores last year, we had a good idea about them," Region 2 assistant coach Jackson Massey said. "I had seen all of the (county) guys play before against either Southern Wayne when I was coach there or North Lenoir.

"They all have great ability, bring tools to the team, very talented and are great kids on and off the field. They made the decision tough for us. We have a really good region."

The region encompasses 13 counties, plus a small portion of the Outer Banks. Head coach Robbie Lassater selected the maximum of 20 players who participated on high school teams that made significant playoff runs.

Rosewood reached the eastern 1-A regional championship series for the second time in the past four years and third time overall since 2008. Peacock and Howard each played a pivotal role for the Eagles, who won the Carolina 1-A Conference regular-season championship and logged a 23-6 worksheet.

Whaley and Gipson helped Charles B. Aycock advance to the second round of the 3-A playoffs, and finish 19-7 overall.

A utility player, Casbarro and his SW teammates posted eight wins as Trae McKee returned to begin his second stint as head coach with the Saints.

Region 2 opposes Region 8 at 10 a.m. on Friday and concludes Bracket 2 play Saturday against Region 3 at 3:45 p.m.

The runner-up in each bracket advances the bronze medal game (third place), while the bracket winners square off for the gold medal.

"We always feel like we have a chance to do well up there," said Massey, a CBA alum who played in the State Games' East-West contest for high school seniors in 2006.

"We can't let the spotlight get too big for the kids. Just go out there, don't try to do too much, be yourself and you'll be fine. Hopefully, at the same time, they'll get some looks from college coaches.

"It's always a good experience being around some really good talent and good coaches for five days."