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42 Wilmington-area high school baseball players to watch in 2024

michael cuneo, wilmington starnews
·5 min read

The 2024 high school baseball season is officially under way for Wilmington-area teams.

After a strong showing in the NCHSAA state playoffs last spring from New Hanover and Topsail, this season holds plenty to look forward to.

Some of the area's top star power, such as South Brunswick outfielder Walker Jenkins, Topsail pitcher Cooper Cavanaugh, and New Hanover pitcher Bromley Thornton, all graduated this offseason.

With younger players getting the chance to shine this spring, here's a look at 42 Wilmington-area baseball players to watch in 2024.

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Quinn Bentley, Jr., Ashley

Ashley's Quinn Bentley moved from Michigan last fall after committing to play baseball at N.C. State.
Ashley's Quinn Bentley moved from Michigan last fall after committing to play baseball at N.C. State.

If there's a sport at Ashley, Quinn Bentley is probably involved in some capacity. After breaking his wrist last spring, the three-sport star will finally get his chance at a full baseball season.

Junior Tanner Berry returns as one of the Screaming Eagles' more experienced players this spring, smashing 23 hits for 11 RBIs last season.

Junior Cole Barnes returns as Ashley's most experienced pitcher, throwing 53 strikeouts in 49⅓ innings last spring.

Junior pitcher Cane Mehling and third baseman Drew Potter round out an Ashley squad that will look to improve on its fifth-place finish in the Mideastern Conference last season.

Dominic Libretto, Sr., Coastal Christian

Coastal Christian's Dominic Libretto is back for the Centurions after a junior season to remember.
Coastal Christian's Dominic Libretto is back for the Centurions after a junior season to remember.

Libretto returns as Coastal Christian's top batter from a season ago, recording 29 RBIs and four home runs in 85 plate appearances. The senior also spent more time on the mound than any Centurion last spring, pitching 38 strikeouts in 40 innings.

Sophomore pitcher Noah Swanson will join Libretto on the mound this season after throwing 15 strikeouts as a freshman.

Chase Buscher, Sr., Hoggard

Hoggard's Chase Buscher.
Hoggard's Chase Buscher.

With experience and talent returning this spring, Hoggard baseball wants to reassert itself atop the MEC for the first time since 2013.

Buscher emerged as Hoggard's top pitcher in 2023, helping the team to a third-place MEC finish by throwing a team-best 79 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched.

Senior shortstop Logan Ponnett returns after recording 30 hits, 19 runs, and 14 RBIs in 100 plate appearances last spring.

John Mason, the reigning StarNews All-Area boys Golfer of the Year, returns after a successful junior season in 2023 that saw the outfielder tally 18 RBIs and score 19 runs.

Senior outfielder Luke Vargo led the Vikings with 20 RBIs last spring and returns as one of the team's top playmakers in 2024.

Luka Rumora, Sr., Laney

Laney is looking for smoother sailing in 2024 after finishing seventh in the MEC last spring. Rumora, who led all Buccaneer pitchers with 59 strikeouts in 2023, should play a large part in the team's fortunes.

Senior Ayden Rogers will feature as one of Laney's top batters this spring after notching 13 RBIs and scoring nine runs in 74 plate appearances a season ago.

Fellow seniors Gavin Boughton and Jake Foster should see increased time at the plate after combining for 10 RBIs in 2023.

Oakley Rempel, Sr., New Hanover

After New Hanover claimed the MEC title last spring, the Wildcats graduated one of the area's most talented senior classes. Rempel, who managed 11 RBIs in 2023, returns as one of New Hanover's top players this spring.

On the mound, sophomore Tate Nelson and junior Davis Hinshaw will see most of the spotlight this spring after combining for 18 strikeouts a season ago.

Cody Callahan, Sr., North Brunswick

Despite showing promise, North Brunswick finished last in the MEC in 2023. Callahan, now a senior, was the highlight of the Scorpions' year, producing a team-best 50 strikeouts and 18 RBIs.

Garrett Gore returns for the Scorpions after recording 18 RBIs on 27 hits as a junior last spring. Juniors Joshua Hauser and Aydean White will look to add depth and experience for North Brunswick after combining for 28 hits last spring.

Ryan Howell, Jr., Pender

The Patriots went winless in the Waccamaw Conference for the second straight season, leaving plenty of room for improvement in 2024.

Junior pitcher Ryan Howell is back after leading the team with 37 strikeouts in 2023. Fellow junior Mark Rawls also returns after logging nine hits and three RBIs last spring.

Jaden Marvin, Sr., South Brunswick

Jaden Marvin delivers a pitch as the South Brunswick baseball team hosted Carrboro in the second round of the NCHSAA 3A State Playoffs on Friday, May 12.
Jaden Marvin delivers a pitch as the South Brunswick baseball team hosted Carrboro in the second round of the NCHSAA 3A State Playoffs on Friday, May 12.

After a fourth-place finish and the graduation of Major League Draft first-round pick Walker Jenkins, South Brunswick is in a spot of rebuilding this spring.

Marvin stepped into a more significant role on the mound midway through last spring, finishing the year with solid performances like his nine-strikeout playoff game that helped South Brunswick defeat Carrboro 6-5 on May 12.

Sophomore Grady Sotriffer and Gavin Templeman provide young depth for the Cougars this spring.

Rhett Britt, Soph., Topsail

Britt threw 53 strikeouts as a freshman last spring, helping Topsail to a second-place finish in the MEC.

Fellow sophomore Gibson Todd returns after recording a team-best 18 RBIs in 2023. Junior pitcher Ryder Wilcox also returns after throwing 40 strikeouts in 2023.

Seniors Luke Keenan and Andrew Schmidt add depth and experience to a Pirates squad hungry to repeat last season's success.

Noah Fluharty, Sr., West Brunswick

Despite starting 2023 6-9, West Brunswick went on to win eight of their final 10 before falling to J.H. Rose in the playoffs.

Senior shortstop Noah Fluharty returns as one of the Trojans' top playmakers this spring. He's joined by fellow senior Linden Clemmons, who should play a significant role on the mound.

Juniors Garrett Powell and Luka DeRicco also return as the Trojans look to improve on their sixth-place MEC finish last spring.

Matthew Naylor, Soph., Wilmington Christian

Naylor exploded onto the scene for the Patriots last spring, scoring 41 runs and recording 16 RBIs as the team earned a conference championship.

Pitcher Ryder Whitacre returns after throwing 54 strikeouts in 36 innings last spring. The senior was also one of the Patriots top batters, notching 24 RBIs off 18 hits.

Senior Calloway Upchurch and junior Matthew Roberts are two of just a handful of upperclassmen for Wilmington Christian this spring.

Other players to watch: Nick Johnson, Sr., Trask; Tanner Sparkman, Jr., Trask.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 2024 Wilmington-area high school baseball players to watch