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Battle had the best pitcher in the district, but they rode her all year and she looks to be worn down. Lee hasn't been able to get hits with runners on all season long. After the top 4 in the lineup, bats have been very inconsistent. Lost three 1 run games and had another loss by 2 runs. Pitching hasn't been as strong as expected either due to injuries. Can make a run in the region if bats wake up. Only team in the region to beat Richlands. Arin Rife from Richlands is the top pitcher in the region, hands down. Richlands just doesn't have much offense behind her. I wouldn't count out Central. If they can get their batters to be patient, then they can make some noise. But getting them to be patient is the problem. Union is scrappy, but I think pitching will be their downfall.

I have watched quite a bit of 2A/M7 softball and baseball this season and there really aren't any standout teams. In baseball, I have watched VA High, Marion, Chilhowie, Tazewell, Abingdon, Battle, Lebanon, and Central. The Southwest District teams have 2-3 players per team that are impact players but the overall teams just aren't solid enough to advance far. Lebanon is the best 2A team I have seen top to bottom. They are a tough lineup to get through inning by inning and have the deepest pitching rotation. Abingdon is still a solid team but, as someone said earlier, they are not at the level of previous teams. If their bats come alive in the postseason they could make a run but very inconsistent. In softball, I have watched Battle, Lee, Lebanon, Marion, Abingdon, Union, Honaker, Gate City and Central. The M7 was kinda strange this year. Lee was the favorite pre-season but not able to live up to the hype. Battle owned the regular season but was just upended by Abingdon in the district tourney. Abingdon played very poorly defensively most of the season but seems to be really locking it down at the right time. Outside the M7, Honaker has looked solid at times but inconsistency has hurt them as well. All the others were kinda hit and miss all season. You normally have at least 1-2 dominant pitchers in the area but I have not witnessed that this season, especially after the girl from Tazewell went to TN High.

Richlands assistant coachs ?

I mean, the title does say softball in it… lol

My bad, thought we were talking about baseball. baseball, so you must be talking about softball.

Amonate was actually the model used for other coal companies on coal camps. They would come in from all over the coal country and model it after what they saw there.

Are we talking about the same district? Abingdon was 8-4 in district play, and two of those wins were one run games against Lee and Central.

FYI...https://heraldcourier.com/sports/high-school-athletics-ground-broken-at-tazewell-county-high-schools/article_68a7ffa6-126e-11ef-87be-5bc85180291f.html

I was in Amonate two weeks ago. About half the houses are gone now...maybe more......not a kid in sight. Now, I remember as a kid when that place was crawling with wiry, mean-ass kids that were just ready to put on a football field. I was surprised to find out that some of the Bandy houses are now zoned to go to Tazewell. That is a ridiculous drive, especially considering Richlands is 30-35 minutes away. Amonate was a great coal camp back in the day...had its own theater, school, bus stop....meticulous sidewalks throughout the UA (Virginia side) and LA (West Virginia side). I can remember the West Virginia side being full.....not a single house left now....can't even tell they were there.

They finished 4th in the district.

It'll take a lot to get Mount View anywhere close to Graham's level. It'll take more then one assistant coach. I do hope he has a positive impact for them.

The M7 district was competitive but down a notch or two as a whole this year in my opinion. This Abingdon team is not like Abingdon teams of the past, and still no one could beat them.

Nope they will be staying put, remember the backpacks.

Bam! I played American Legion baseball years ago and Bishop had a team that competed and I learned from them about the famous 'LA" or Lower Amonate.

Lower Amonate. 😜

I've got to know what "LA" stands for

With Richlands coaching staff about completed, perhaps a return to Richlands? Richlands years ago and Graham at present have done well, Tazewell needs to step up it's game and hit the LA, Bishop, and Square areas hard, and I am not talking about LA, California. I'm talking about LA.

One can only hope! haha

The only three teams from the swd that could win the region are Richlands, Lebanon, and Marion.

Looks like the coaching staffs are getting filled out. Those Richlands names all have coaching experience and I believe have worked with Ronnie before.

What was the breakdown of the Southwest District this season? Honestly, the Mountain 7 was as competitive as I ever remember. Battle, Abingdon, Lee, Union, or Central all could have won the district this year.

Haha Thats Hilarious, but also inquiring minds would like to know?

Does that mean all those players from Mount View currently playing at Graham will be returning to MV?

Former Graham GMen D-line coach, Kelvin Dubouse will be coaching at Mount View next season.

Congratulations to the Lady Beavers! 🦫 Per Bluefield High School Facebook Page : Beaver Nation: Breaking Records and making history! Bluefield High School Softball Team clinches the first-ever Regional Championship title!🏆🦫🥎 The Lady Beavers are headed to the State Softball Tournament on May 22nd and 23rd! Go Beavers! 🦫 #RegionIIIChamps #MakingHistory