By Tommy Howard

thoward@gtowntimes.com

Play was to get underway Thursday afternoon in the 20th annual IP Classic in Georgetown.

South Carolina's premier high school baseball tournament has a line-up of four teams each from the AAAA bracket and the AAA bracket.

Here's a brief look at the teams in this milestone 20th year of play. You may visit the Georgetown Times Web site www.gtowntimes.com to read more about the teams.

To see the full team capsules, click here.

Also, in a story on the Web site about the history of the IP Baseball Classic, there's a link to the full schedule of play for the tournament. That's at the end of a story on the "History of the IP Classic."

All games are played at Mike Johnson Park on Emanuel Street in Georgetown.

There will be 16 games, spread out Thursday through Sunday.

Admission to the tournament each day is $10 per person age six and older.

AAAA bracket

Carolina Forest Panthers

Coach: Jack Jolley

2010 Outlook: The 2009 Panther squad just missed the play-offs in their first season of 4A baseball. The 2010 Carolina Forest Panther Baseball Team will strive to make its mark in the 4A ranks as they play their second season of 4A competing in region VI-AAAA.

The 2010 edition of the Panther baseball team will look to replace 4 departed seniors including Josh Knab, (USC Sumter) team MVP and North/South All-Star and Chris Shover, (USC Salkehatchie) team most outstanding pitcher. With 11 returning lettermen, this year's squad will rely heavily on the leadership of its 7 seniors and a talented group of juniors and sophomores that got a great deal of experience last season on the varsity and JV level.

Dorman Cavaliers

Coach: Ben Waddle

2010 Outlook: The 2010 Cavaliers look to build from the 2009 season where they finished 20-7, Region II AAAA Champions, District II Playoff Champions. The Cavaliers will need to replace Eight seniors from the 2009 team.

The 2010 team has six returning seniors. Four of the seniors have committed to play in college (Ian McKinney-LHP-Furman University, Zach Metts-OF-Newberry College, Joseph Metz-OF-Presbyterian College and Tyler Wilson-INF/OF-Lander University).

Spartanburg Vikings

Coach: Tom Myers

2010 Outlook: The Vikings look to build on a solid 2009 campaign this year. The Vikings finished 3rd in the always tough Region II 4A and made a run through the play-offs by winning the District III Championship.

In 2010 the Vikings return a solid core of experienced guys. The infield and pitching staff remain pretty much intact. However, the Vikings will have to replace all three outfield spots that were manned by seniors who were crucial to the season last year.

Wando Warriors

Coach: Jeff Blankenship

2010 Outlook: Coming off a berth in the AAAA State Championships Series last year, expectations are very high for the 2010 Wando High School Varsity Baseball Team. Led by 5th year Coach Jeff Blankenship (107-20), the Warriors look to build on their 28-4 record and Lower-State Championship from 2009.

Experience may be the difference with this year's Team as 12 lettermen and seven starters return to the squad. The Warrior pitching staff returns 35 appearances, 148 strikeouts, 16 wins and a save from the 2009 season.

Senior Drew Cisco (20-6 Career) will anchor the staff as the Friday Night Starter for the fourth and what will be his final year. Look for the stands to be a bit more crowded with Major League Scouts this Spring.

AAA Bracket

A.C. Flora Falcons

Coach: Andy Hallett

2010 Outlook: The 2010 A.C. Flora Falcons will look back to move forward. After a quick playoff exit in 2009, the Falcons bring back 7 starters who will look to rebound from last year's early exit.

"The entire pitching staff graduated as did our top offensive threat, but I like our mix of young talented players." We will start only a few seniors, so our future looks bright (2011, 2012) but the immediate future is what concerns us now.

Belton-Honea Path Bears

Coach: Steve Williams

Information not available at press time.

Riverside Warriors

Coach: Mark Kish

2010 Outlook: The 2010 Warriors are returning 7 starters from last year's upper state finals team. This year's team should be a very strong defensive group. Senior Wil Leathers (USC commitment) at shortstop will anchor the infield. He is backed up by (Jr.) Dean Stageberg. Chase Warren (Sr.) returns at first base, Jay Lizanich (Jr.) at second and Taylor Norris (Sr.) at third.

Georgetown Bulldogs

Coach: Mike Johnson

Information not available at press time.