2019 Conference Preview: Boy's Big-8

By Damian Hall 02/25/2019

The Big-8 is the larger of the Triangle’s small school (1/2/3A) conferences. Last year the Big-8 represented the eastern region in the state championship.

Team Previews

Southern

No roster or statistical information is available for the Spartans. Southern Durham went 0-6 in conference play in 2018.

Northern

The Knights are coming off a .500 season in 2018. Northern may be looking to rebuild in 2019 after graduating eight starters including defensive stand-out Daylan Felton. Junior Brayden Thomas (13G, 11A) led the team in points last year, senior goalkeeper John Mincey (103 svs), and defender Cameron Traylor return for 2019.

East Chapel Hill

The Wildcats ended 2018 as the 1/2/3A state runner up. East loses to key contributors in attackman Taylor Greeno (66g, 40a, 51GB) and defender Simon Perkins (82GB, 4G, 6A). They do however return attackmen Ryan Levy (65G, 58A, UNC) and line mate Jack Koonce (67G, 28A). Goalie Dylan Atkins (60%) also returns to lead the defensive alongside Will Corley and Hank Gerber.

Cedar Ridge

The Fighting Red Wolves were young in 2018 but managed to end the season with a 6-6 record. This year Cedar Ridge returns four of its top five scorers including a trio of seniors: Tyler Coleman (14G, 23A), Jacob Miles (6G, 9A), and Jackson Berry (12G, 3A). Junior Chase Finley returns in goal (111 svs, 57%).

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill finished 2018 5-11. They will be looking to bounce back this spring. The loss of leading scorer Duncan Tart (36G, 19A) as well as play-maker Javon Wells (7G, 6A, 48GB). Junior Jack Grubbs (32G, 17A) should get the keys to the offense, junior Ben Reynolds (70%, 120GB) will look to continue his success on faceoffs, and senior Ethan Hayes (50 svs, 39%) should take over sole responsibility between the pipes.

Orange

The Panthers enter 2018 without goalie Tyson Wolter (313 career svs, Pfieffer) a three-year standout in cage. Orange does return Tanner (Sr) and Dylan Boyer (Jr) to lead the offense. Sophomore LSM Duncan Grant and goalie Chase Hawkins will be charged with moving the defense forward in 2019.

Northwood

Northwood finished the 2018 in second place and lost a second round playoff game. Riley Koch (45G, 25A) is gone, but leading scorer Lars Hoeg (47G, 44A) returns to lead the offense. Junior Nate Little (29G, 31A) and sophomore Dacpta Egnaczak (27G, 16A) will be called into bigger roles in 2019. Sophomore faceoff tandum Kade Little (67%) and Jake Mann (57%) are also back this season. The Chargers will be looking for new blood on the defensive end of the field. Junior Will Salzman looks to be the elderstatesman of the bunch and sophomore William Lake (24GB, 3CT) also returns. Keepers Andrew Norman (Sr) and Hunter Klingel (So) will battle out for the starting position.

Conference Prediction
  1. East Chapel Hill
  2. Northwood
  3. Orange
  4. Chapel Hill
  5. Cedar Ridge
  6. Northern
  7. Southern

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