Revenge no longer on the map

From the time the 2-A playoff brackets were released - no, really since last year - Hibriten's baseball team has wanted another crack at West Henderson, the team that thumped it 12-1 in the 2007 second round.

The matchup was a potential one for this year's third round and while the Panthers were busy taking care of their first two opponents, part of them was looking forward to a potential showdown with the Falcons, which would have occurred on the same field in the mountains where their fate played out a year ago.

“I think the boys would've liked to, not as much for revenge,” Hibriten coach Terry Henthorne says. “To beat them... I think the boys would have looked at that as a measuring stick, see what they've accomplished in a year.”

But the Panthers won't get the chance, as it turns out. Shelby knocked off the Western Athletic Conference champions Tuesday and it's the Golden Lions that the Panthers will meet today for a shot at going to the sectional final. Because of seeding, Hibriten, now 22-5, will host the game (first pitch, 7 p.m.). That means no lengthy bus ride, more Panther fans can watch and mostly, no shot at revenge.

Your boys okay with that, coach?

“Oh, definitely,” Henthorne says.

The Panthers have more on their minds than playing get-you-back with West Henderson.

“It'll be good to play here at home,” third baseman Joel Woods says. “We've had a lot of support from the crowds so it's fun to play at night under the lights with all the people screaming and hollering.”

Lions can roar

Shelby entered the playoffs with the worst record in the 2-A West (5-18). But the Lions, now 7-18 after a 4-0 win over Madison and the 3-0 win at West Henderson, have proven they can play with the best. Perhaps most significantly, the Lions have defeated defending state champion and perennial powerhouse East Rutherford twice this season.

“That speaks highly,” Henthorne says. “Now, they're in the third round. The teams that are left are doing something right. No flukes.”

The Lions, like Hibriten, play in a 2-A/3-A split conference, the Southwestern. It includes East Rutherford, R-S Central and Kings Mountain, all of which remain in a playoff bracket. Hibriten is the only team from the Catawba Valley Athletic Conference that is still playing.

Who's on the hill?

Shelby left-handed pitching ace Andrew White, a Wingate University recruit, has pitched seven innings in both playoff games so far. Because of the state's 12-inning per 72 hours limit, he has five he can use today. It's likely he'll be used sometime, but it's unclear when. According to the Shelby Star, Lions coach Tommy Wease hasn't revealed who his starter will be.

“For this group, it's probably best,” Henthorne says, noting the instinctual nature of his team. “This group would be real hard to coach up and I'd hate to put together a whole scouting report (for nothing). Those that paid attention to it would probably pay too much attention to it. (Shelby's) going to go pitch it and we have to hit it. They're going to hit it and we have to field it.”

The other possible Lion pitchers are lefty K.J. Dotson, Brett Mabry, Cody Whisnant and right-handed submariner Andrew Harnage. Mabry and Austin Huffstetler are two of the team's top hitters.

If White throws, he'll be the third lefty to face the Panthers in the playoffs (Ashe County's Brandon Miller, Mountain Heritage's Daniel Miller).

Hibriten will put its ace, junior Bryan Tuttle, on the mound. Tuttle defeated Ashe in the first round, is 11-1 and has won nine straight starts. His gameplan is clear.

“Pitch like it's just another game,” Tuttle says.

Behind? No worries

Hibriten has trailed in four straight games, but has now won eight in a row and nine of its last 10. Following the last victory Tuesday, first baseman Jack Howard noted that the players stay relaxed and make adjustments. They know they're going to break through eventually, he said.

But Henthorne's hopeful that the offensive barrage will come sooner rather than later Friday.

“Let's jump on them early” was Henthorne's message to his team at practice Thursday.

Regionals within reach

Friday's game will be the third consecutive home playoff game for Hibriten, quite notable when you consider that it was 16 years since the Panthers last hosted a game, prior to last year's postseason opener against Pisgah.

A win tonight and Hibriten could host the sectional final next Tuesday, if East Rutherford defeats Owen.

Hibriten's best-ever postseason performance also came in 1991, when the Panthers reached the regional final.

Now, they are among the 16 2-A teams remaining in the state (eight in each region) and sit two wins from reaching the best-of-three-game, West Regional series.

Henthorne says things get really fun then.

“That's just a whole other level of baseball,” he says. “I just hope the kids get that taste. I think they'd really relish in it.”

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