Southwest Wake Athletic all-conference baseball team, 2016
After making a trip to its first-ever N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A championship series, Green Hope success was reflected in the Southwest Wake all-conference team with five representatives.
The Falcons (25-7, 12-4) placed Connor Knapp (16 RBIs) and Mitch Spence (five saves) on the first team while Sean McQuillan (25 RBIs), Jordan Montgomery and Chris Joyner (78 strikeouts) were selected to the second team.
Co-SWAC champ Middle Creek (17-8, 12-4) placed Sammy Chapman and Zack Moore on the first team. Trevor Heasley and Tucker Rogers made the second team.
However, it was Holly Springs (20-6, 11-5) that had the player of the year: senior pitcher Jake Isbell (9 wins). Holly Springs had Alex Simpson join Isbell on the first team.
Holly Springs’ Rod Whitesell, Middle Creek’s Wesley King and Athens Drive’s Ryan Westbrook shared coach of the year honors.
Apex (15-10, 9-7) had a trio of seniors go all-conference in Ben Highfill on the first team and James Hooks and Jordan Mann on the second team.
Fuquay-Varina (15-11, 9-7) had one representative on each team, with Kyle Jackson going on the first team and Brycen Braswell making the second team.
Panther Creek (14-11, 7-9) had Parker Fernstrum made the second team.
Athens Drive (13-13, 7-9) placed Lane Gorrell on the first team and Sam Enders on the second team. The Jaguars won six games in a row before a one-run loss to Pine Forest in the second round of the playoffs.
Cary (8-14, 4-12) had Greg Jones on the first team.
No Apex Friendship (1-19, 1-15) players went all-conference.
SWAC all-conference baseball
Player of the Year: Jake Isbell, Holly Springs
Co-Coach of the Year: Rod Whitesell, Holly Springs; Wesley King, Middle Creek; Ryan Westbrook, Athens Drive
First team
Ben Highfill, senior, Apex
Lane Gorrell, senior, Athens Drive
Greg Jones, junior, Cary
Kyle Jackson, junior, Fuquay-Varina
Connor Knapp, sophomore, Green Hope
Mitch Spence, senior, Green Hope
Jake Isbell, senior, Holly Springs
Alex Simpson, senior, Holly Sprigns
Sammy Chapman, senior, Middle Creek
Zack Moore, senior, Middle Creek
Second team
James Hooks, senior, Apex
Jordan Mann, senior, Apex
Sam Enders, junior, Athens Drive
Brycen Braswell, junior, Fuquay-Varina
Sean McQuillan, junior, Green Hope
Jordan Montgomery, Green Hope
Chris Joyner, senior, Green Hope
Trevor Heasley, senior, Middle Creek
Tucker Rogers, senior, Middle Creek
Parker Fernstrum, senior, Panther Creek
This story was originally published June 9, 2016 at 2:06 PM with the headline "Southwest Wake Athletic all-conference baseball team, 2016."