The Raiders enter the 2008 season with high expectations after compiling a 22-8 record and winning the BIG 12 Championship in 2007.  BHS' says good-bye to 2007 ALL BIG 12 players Andy Malinowski (Clarke College), Dennis Koth (Heartland Community College/soccer) and BIG 12 Pitcher of the Year Zach Watkins (Heartland Community College) but return a very solid nucleus to build on in '08.  Leading the way is two-time All Big 12 shortstop Bryan Huff.  Huff, a Heartland C.C. signee, was a unanimous selection in '07 after leading the Raiders with a .452 average, 44 runs, 47 hits, 6 triples, and 21 steals.  Bryan also slugged 2 HR and drove in 30 and also picked up one victory on the hill. Huff was also a member of the Bloomington GOLD this summer which won the NABF Midwest Regional and advanced to the World Series in Jackson, Mississippi.  Huff led the GOLD in runs scored, stolen bases, and hit .441 against some of the top amateur pitching in the Midwest.  Rejoining Bryan in the middle infield is 5'8 senior sparkplug Nick Bowles (2007 honorable mention).  Bowles, who has signed with Clarke College, hit .420 in 2007 and led the Raiders in sacrifices (5) and hit by pitches (7).  Bowles pounded out 37 hits, while scoring 29 runs and drove in 25.  A tenacious competitor, Bowles will team with Bryan to form one of the top double play combinations in BHS history.  Bowles was also a member of the 2007 Bloomington GOLD hitting .396.  Returning at third base will be hard hitting senior Terry Davis.  Davis, who is also a member of the BHS football team (First team ALL BIG 12), hit .345 with 2 HR and 16 RBI.  Davis provided stellar defense at the hot corner and also saw limited action in right field.  Terry was a member of the NABF Bloomington GOLD 16U this summer.  He helped lead the GOLD to a 43-11 record  pacing the team in home-runs (5) and RBI (45).  Also returning with substantial experience at third base is 6'3 junior Mark McGee.  McGee hit .350 as a sophomore including his first varsity home-run against rival Normal Community.  Looking to take over at first base is very talented junior Ryan Kern.  Kern, a hard hitting southpaw, has shown signs of becoming one of the next Raider greats at both the dish and handling the leather.  Ryan is a very hard working kid who is looking to put his stamp on the BIG 12 in 08.  The Raiders are looking for great competition behind the plate in '08.  Leading the way is senior Adam Martinez and junior Eric Varney.  Adam hit an even .300 in 2007 in limited action and showed steady defensive improvement over the course of the season.  Varney is an absolute physical specimen who has really punished the baseball at the lower levels and has showed promising signs of being a potential cornerstone in the offensive attack.  The Raiders are looking for big things from both receivers in '08.  Other candidates to see time on the BHS infield this season is senior second basemen Jacob Thede and juniors Adam Peden and Matt Herek, and sophomore Dylan Johnson.  Johnson, a hard hitting lefty, could quickly become part of the '08 equation.

      BHS has several good looking prospects to fill the outfield in 2008.  Leading the way is two-year starting centerfielder DuShon Morris.  Morris, a very gifted defensive player, has gained valuable experience in both 06 and 07.  DuShon continues to make a concentrated effort offensively and if he can put things together could be a key ingredient in '08.  Other candidates looking for time in the BHS outfield include senior Steven Herek, juniors Ryan Casey, Kevin Stocks, and Ryan Toliver, and sophomore Derek Gliwa.  Herek, one of the fastest players in the Raider program (6.78 - 60), hit .429 and provided solid defense off the bench in '07.  Casey (16U) and Gliwa (15U), both enjoyed stellar summers with the NABF GOLD teams this summer and promise to make playing time a healthy competition.  Junior Ryan Toliver, one of the hardest and most improved kids in the program, also looks to play a pivotal role.  Senior Terry Davis could again see time in right field dependent on how the offensive attack develops and unfolds.

     The Raider rotation will be the cornerstone of its potential '08 success.  6'3 senior Brian Cross looks to take over as the Raiders number one starter after going 4-1 with 3.86 ERA in 2007.  Cross, a hard throwing southpaw, picked up wins against conference foes Normal West, Champaign Centennial, Danville, and Decatur Eisenhower.  Brian possesses a very bulldog like approach and is hungry for greatness.  BHS looks for the talented senior to establish himself as one of the BIG 12's best.  Teaming with Cross is another 6'3 hurler, junior Mark McGee.  McGee went 2-1 as a sophomore, and also picked up his first varsity save against rival Normal West.  McGee pitched this summer for the 16U NABF GOLD and led the team in wins and innings pitched.  McGee has the potential to be a really good one.  He continues to work hard on his conditioning and really throws with purpose.  Joining Cross and McGee will be senior Chris Eldert and junior Adam Peden.  Eldert went 3-0 in 2007 with a 3.60 ERA and picked up huge victories against conference foe Mattoon and former BIG 12 rival Rantoul.  Chris is a kid really laying under the radar entering the '08 season.  He is very hard working kid with good pop and a lights out 12 to 6 deuce.  The Raiders are looking for big things from him this season.  Peden, who is also a member of the Purple Raider football program, could be the X factor in 08.  This is a kid who possess a number one mentality.  He flat out competes.  BHS is looking for Adam to eat up big innings and would not be surprised to see him quickly climb the pitching depth chart.   The Raiders also look for the pitching responsibilities for seniors Bryan Huff and Terry Davis to increase as needed.  BHS will rely on no one more than Bryan Huff.  This is a kid who can play every position on the field and play it best.  If needed, these senior leaders chomp at the bit to have the ball in their hands.  Other candidates to see bump time is senior Steven Herek, juniors Kevin Stock, Ryan Kern, and Ryan Toliver, and sophomore Derek Gliwa.

     The Raiders finished the 2007 season campaign 22-8 and won the BIG 12 Championship after finishing second outright in 05 and 06.  The Raiders suffered a heart breaking defeat to Lincoln High School in the Bloomington Regional.  The Raiders are looking to accomplish big things in 2008.  GO RAIDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!