Tag: High school softball rankings

The NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded coaches polls and All-America awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to awards, to in-person events and National Convention.

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!

2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 16

No changes to USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With spring seasons winding down, and just a few states still competing, there were no changes this week to the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

More than half of the teams in the ranking won state championships this season. Eight of the first 10 teams, including the first six are state titlists.

Four others finished second in their respective state tournaments.

The final ranking for the spring season is next Thursday. The NFCA Summer/Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll will start in late August.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – June 20, 2024

1. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 34-0 | PR: 1

2. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 35-2 | PR: 2

3. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 33-1 | PR: 3

4. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 46-1 | PR: 4

5. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

Record: 25-0 | PR: 5

6. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 23-1 | PR: 6

7. Walsh Jesuit (Ohio)

Record: 22-1 | PR: 7

8. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 38-1 | PR: 8

9. Carterville (Ill.)

Record: 38-1 | PR: 9

10. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 31-2 | PR: 10

11. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 11

12. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 26-2 | PR: 12

13. Lake Central (Ind.)

Record: 32-2 | PR: 13

14. Skyview (Wash.)

Record: 28-1-1 | PR: 14

15. Saint Francis (Calif.)

Record: 28-1 | PR: 15

16. St. John Vianney (N.J.)

Record: 26-1 | PR: 16

17. Mount St. Dominic (N.J.)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 17

18. Bartow (Fla.)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 18

19. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 29-2 | PR: 19

20. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 27-2 | PR: 20

21. Notre Dame (N.J.)

Record: 25-2 | PR: 21

22. Katy (Texas)

Record: 39-3-1 | PR: 22

23. Riverside (Va.)

Record: 24-3 | PR: 23

24. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 25-4 | PR: 24

25. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 31-4-1 | PR: 25

Dropped out: none.

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!

2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 15

State champions break into USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Three state champions jumped into the mix this week, with minimal movement elsewhere, as the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 continues to wind down.

Illinois 2A titlist Carterville took over the ninth spot this week on the strength of the (38-1) Lions’ pair of 1-0 victories in the state final four. Carterville defeated Rockridge in 10 innings in the semis and North Boone in the championship. The Lions’ only loss came in their season opener, 1-0 to Kentucky powerhouse McCracken County, on March 15.

Meanwhile, new No. 16 St. John Vianney defeated two Super 25 squads in succession en route to their second straight New Jersey Non-Public A crown. The (26-1) Lancers eliminated then-No. 16 Notre Dame with a 3-0 triumph ahead of last week’s poll, then edged No. 15 Mount St. Dominic, 4-1, last Thursday in the championship game. St. John Vianney’s lone loss was 2-0 to Immaculate Heart Academy in the Blue Eagles’ Anthony LaRezza Invitational on April 13.

No. 23 Riverside (24-3) defeated Hickory and Kellam last week to claim its first Virginia Class 5 state championship, in just the program’s ninth year of existence.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – June 13, 2024

1. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 34-0 | PR: 1

2. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 35-2 | PR: 2

3. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 33-1 | PR: 3

4. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 46-1 | PR: 4

5. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

Record: 25-0 | PR: 5

6. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 23-1 | PR: 6

7. Walsh Jesuit (Ohio)

Record: 22-1 | PR: 7

8. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 38-1 | PR: 8

9. Carterville (Ill.)

Record: 38-1 | PR: NR

10. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 31-2 | PR: 9

11. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 10

12. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 26-2 | PR: 11

13. Lake Central (Ind.)

Record: 32-2 | PR: 12

14. Skyview (Wash.)

Record: 28-1-1 | PR: 13

15. Saint Francis (Calif.)

Record: 28-1 | PR: 14

16. St. John Vianney (N.J.)

Record: 26-1 | PR: NR

17. Mount St. Dominic (N.J.)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 15

18. Bartow (Fla.)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 16

19. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 29-2 | PR: 17

20. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 27-2 | PR: 18

21. Notre Dame (N.J.)

Record: 25-2 | PR: 19

22. Katy (Texas)

Record: 39-3-1 | PR: 20

23. Riverside (Va.)

Record: 24-3 | PR: NR

24. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 25-4 | PR: 24

25. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 31-4-1 | PR: t-25

Dropped out: Marist (Ill.), North DeSoto (La.), Oak Grove (N.C.) and Shenendehowa (N.Y.).

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!

2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 14

Little change in USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Ohio and New Jersey state tournaments were cause for subtle changes in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 this week, as softball seasons around the country continue to wind down.

No. 6 Austintown-Fitch (23-1) captured the Ohio Division I state title on Saturday with a 4-0 ranked victory over Watkins Memorial (31-2), which actually moved up one place to ninth in the poll. Watkins defeated Anthony Wayne (30-2), who had been ranked ahead of them in eighth, 2-0 in Friday’s Division I semifinal.

Lake Central (32-2) dropped a spot to 12th after being ousted by Penn, 4-2, in Saturday’s Indiana Class 4A semi-state semifinal, while Mount St. Dominic (30-1) remained 15th and continued to advance in the New Jersey state playoffs. Notre Dame (25-2), meanwhile, lost three places after a 3-0 loss to St. John Vianney in Monday’s South Jersey non-public Class A final.

Marist (35-3) stayed put at No. 21 after picking up a pair of Illinois state tournament triumphs. The Red Hawks play one-loss Mundelein (36-1) in the 4A state semis on Friday.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – June 6, 2024

1. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 34-0 | PR: 1

2. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 35-2 | PR: 2

3. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 33-1 | PR: 3

4. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 46-1 | PR: 4

5. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

Record: 25-0 | PR: 5

6. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 23-1 | PR: 6

7. Walsh Jesuit (Ohio)

Record: 22-1 | PR: 7

8. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 38-1 | PR: 9

9. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 31-2 | PR: 10

10. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 8

11. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 26-2 | PR: 12

12. Lake Central (Ind.)

Record: 32-2 | PR: 11

13. Skyview (Wash.)

Record: 28-1-1 | PR: 13

14. Saint Francis (Calif.)

Record: 28-1 | PR: 14

15. Mount St. Dominic (N.J.)

Record: 30-1 | PR: 15

16. Bartow (Fla.)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 17

17. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 29-2 | PR: 18

18. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 27-2 | PR: 19

19. Notre Dame (N.J.)

Record: 25-2 | PR: 16

20. Katy (Texas)

Record: 39-3-1 | PR: 20

21. Marist (Ill.)

Record: 35-3 | PR: 21

22. Oak Grove (N.C.)

Record: 24-3 | PR: 22

23. Shenendehowa (N.Y.)

Record: 16-3 | PR: 23

24. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 25-4 | PR: 24

t-25. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 31-4-1 | PR: t-25

t-25. North DeSoto (La.)

Record: 31-5 | PR: t-25

Dropped out: none.

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!

2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 13

Northwest Rankin new No. 1 in USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Back-to-back Mississippi state champion Northwest Rankin is the new No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 following two playoff losses by Katy, who had been the top school for the past eight weeks.

With most teams still active in the Super 25 winning, Katy (39-3-1) plummeted to No. 20 in the rankings after being swept by Kingwood in last week’s best-of-three Texas Class 6A regional final. The Tigers lost the first game 6-3 on Thursday and dropped the second contest 7-6 on Friday.

State titlists Calvary Baptist, Sterlington, Orange Beach and St. Anthony’s fill out the new top five. St. Anthony’s allowed one run combined in victories over St. Joseph’s by the Sea and St. Mary’s to win New York’s Catholic Class AA title — the Friars’ third straight crown — last Friday. The three others have been finished for several weeks.

Skyview (28-1-1) also fell significantly following its early ouster in the Washington state tournament, going from third to 13th after a 6-5 loss to eventual Class 4A runner-up Emerald Ridge in last Friday’s state quarterfinals. Jackson (26-2) moved up three spots to 12th after routing Emerald Ridge, 10-1, in the 4A final to claim a second straight state crown.

Austintown-Fitch (21-1) moved ahead of Walsh Jesuit this week after dealing the (22-1) Warriors their first loss, 8-2 last week in an Ohio Division I regional final. The Falcons play Fairfield in the state final four on Friday.

In the other Ohio Division I semi, No. 8 Anthony Wayne and No. 10 Watkins Memorial (both 30-1) face each other, with the potential of another Super 25 matchup for the state title on Saturday at Akron Firestone Stadium.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – May 30, 2024

1. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 34-0 | PR: 2

2. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 35-2 | PR: 4

3. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 33-1 | PR: 5

4. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 46-1 | PR: 7

5. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

Record: 25-0 | PR: 9

6. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 21-1 | PR: 12

7. Walsh Jesuit (Ohio)

Record: 22-1 | PR: 8

8. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 30-1 | PR: 10

9. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 38-1 | PR: 11

10. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 30-1 | PR: 13

11. Lake Central (Ind.)

Record: 31-1 | PR: 14

12. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 26-2 | PR: 15

13. Skyview (Wash.)

Record: 28-1-1 | PR: 3

14. Saint Francis (Calif.)

Record: 28-1 | PR: 6

15. Mount St. Dominic (N.J.)

Record: 28-1 | PR: 18

16. Notre Dame (N.J.)

Record: 24-1 | PR: 19

17. Bartow (Fla.)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 16

18. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 29-2 | PR: 17

19. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 27-2 | PR: 20

20. Katy (Texas)

Record: 39-3-1 | PR: 1

21. Marist (Ill.)

Record: 33-3 | PR: 21

22. Oak Grove (N.C.)

Record: 24-3 | PR: 22

23. Shenendehowa (N.Y.)

Record: 16-3 | PR: 23

24. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 25-4 | PR: 24

t-25. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 31-4-1 | PR: t-25

t-25. North DeSoto (La.)

Record: 31-5 | PR: t-25

Dropped out: none.

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!

2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 12

Katy continues to lead USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Top-ranked Katy closed out another playoff series to continue as the No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 for an eighth consecutive week.

The (39-1-1) Tigers advanced to Saturday’s best-of-three Texas Class 6A regional final against Kingwood after sweeping Brazoswood in the semifinal round.

Meanwhile, No. 2 Northwest Rankin (34-0) captured its second straight Mississippi state title, winning the 7A crown last Thursday with an unconventional victory over Hernando. The game was called due to weather after a delay with the Cougars leading 12-3 in the bottom of the sixth, and the trophy presentation was made on the team’s bus. Northwest Rankin allowed just 41 runs all season while scoring 324. The Cougars won the 6A title in 2023.

Third-ranked Skyview (22-0-1) stayed unbeaten with a 4-0 week and plays Puyallup on Friday in the opening round of the Washington state 4A tournament. Sixth-ranked Saint Francis (26-0) stayed perfect with a 10-0 rout of Willow Glen to advance to Saturday’s California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Central Coast Section Open Division final against Archbishop Mitty.

Orange Beach (46-1), which wrapped up its fourth Alabama state title in four years as a varsity program before last week’s poll, bookended an unchanged first seven teams, which includes fellow state champs Calvary Baptist (35-2) and Sterlington (33-1), who had wrapped up their Louisiana titles back in April.

Undefeated Walsh Jesuit (22-0) and St. Anthony’s (23-0), and one-loss Anthony Wayne (29-1) round out the revised top 10.

Diamond (38-1) moved up three spots to No. 11 after capturing its second Missouri Class 2 state crown in the last three seasons on Tuesday, 8-5 over Kennett. No. 17 Sheridan (29-2) also improved three places after blanking Beebe 5-0 in the Arkansas 5A state final last Thursday.

No. 20 Pacifica (27-2) defeated Orange Lutheran 3-0 last Friday to run its win streak to 12 and claim the 2024 CIF Southern Section crown.

Marist (31-3) made its return to the Super 25 at No. 21 after three weeks on the sidelines, following a 4-3 victory over then-No. 8 Lake Central last Friday. The Red Hawks have won 12 of their last 13 and compiled two six-game win streaks over that stretch.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – May 23, 2024

1. Katy (Texas)

Record: 39-1-1 | PR: 1

2. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 34-0 | PR: 2

3. Skyview (Wash.)

Record: 22-0-1 | PR: 3

4. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 35-2 | PR: 4

5. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 33-1 | PR: 5

6. Saint Francis (Calif.)

Record: 26-0 | PR: 6

7. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 46-1 | PR: 7

8. Walsh Jesuit (Ohio)

Record: 22-0 | PR: 9

9. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

Record: 23-0 | PR: 11

10. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 29-1 | PR: 13

11. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 38-1 | PR: 14

12. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 20-1 | PR: 10

13. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 29-1 | PR: 12

14. Lake Central (Ind.)

Record: 29-1 | PR: 8

15. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 21-2 | PR: 16

16. Bartow (Fla.)

Record: 29-1 | PR: 17

17. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 29-2 | PR: 20

18. Mount St. Dominic (N.J.)

Record: 27-1 | PR: 21

19. Notre Dame (N.J.)

Record: 23-1 | PR: 22

20. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 27-2 | PR: 24

21. Marist (Ill.)

Record: 31-3 | PR: NR

22. Oak Grove (N.C.)

Record: 24-3 | PR: 18

23. Shenendehowa (N.Y.)

Record: 16-3 | PR: 15

24. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 25-4 | PR: 19

t-25. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 31-4-1 | PR: t-25

t-25. North DeSoto (La.)

Record: 31-5 | PR: t-25

Dropped out: Thunder Ridge (Idaho).

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!

2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 11

Little change in USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Top-ranked Katy blanked another playoff opponent to continue as the undisputed No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 for a seventh straight week.

The (37-1-1) Tigers shut out Cinco Ranch, 8-0, last Thursday and have a best-of-three Texas Class 6A regional semifinal series against Brazoswood on Saturday.

Meanwhile, No. 2 Northwest Rankin (33-0) wrapped up a Mississippi Class 7A semifinal series against Ocean Springs last Friday, then defeated Hernando, 5-4 on Wednesday, in the opener of their state championship matchup. The second game of that best-of-three series is set for today.

After unbeaten newcomer Skyview (18-0-1) replaced fellow Washington school Jackson at No. 3, every other team in the Super 25 remained in the spot they held until No. 16, where the (20-2) Timberwolves landed.

The remaining eight active teams after that all have playoff matchups either later today or Friday.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – May 16, 2024

1. Katy (Texas)

Record: 37-1-1 | PR: 1

2. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 33-0 | PR: 2

3. Skyview (Wash.)

Record: 18-0-1 | PR: NR

4. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 35-2 | PR: 4

5. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 33-1 | PR: 5

6. Saint Francis (Calif.)

Record: 25-0 | PR: 6

7. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 46-1 | PR: 7

8. Lake Central (Ind.)

Record: 28-0 | PR: 8

9. Walsh Jesuit (Ohio)

Record: 20-0 | PR: 9

10. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 19-1 | PR: 10

11. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

Record: 20-0 | PR: 11

12. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 27-1 | PR: 12

13. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 24-1 | PR: 13

14. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 36-1 | PR: 14

15. Shenendehowa (N.Y.)

Record: 16-2 | PR: 15

16. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 20-2 | PR: 3

17. Bartow (Fla.)

Record: 28-1 | PR: 17

18. Oak Grove (N.C.)

Record: 23-2 | PR: 18

19. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 20-2 | PR: 19

20. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 28-2 | PR: 20

21. Mount St. Dominic (N.J.)

Record: 23-1 | PR: 21

22. Notre Dame (N.J.)

Record: 21-1 | PR: 22

23. Thunder Ridge (Idaho)

Record: 24-1 | PR: 23

24. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 26-2 | PR: 24

t-25. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 31-4-1 | PR: t-25

t-25. North DeSoto (La.)

Record: 31-5 | PR: t-25

Dropped out: Lancaster (Ohio).

USA TODAY High School Sports Stars of the Week

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!

2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 10

Tigers still top USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Top-ranked Katy rolled through another playoff series to continue as the leader in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 for a sixth straight week.

The (36-1-1) Tigers blanked Cesar E. Chavez twice — 10-0 and 15-0 — in their best-of-three Texas Class 6A matchup, and will face Cinco Ranch next in a regional quarterfinal later today.

Meanwhile, No. 2 Northwest Rankin (31-0) cruised through both games of its Class 7A playoff series against D’Iberville, then routed Ocean Springs, 11-2, on Wednesday in the opener of their Mississippi state semifinal. The second game of that best-of-three series is set for Friday.

The next six teams in the Super 25 also remained the same this week, with seventh-ranked Orange Beach (42-1) performing particularly impressively. The Makos beat their three opponents by a 36-1 combined margin.

The first change came at No. 9, with Walsh Jesuit (19-0) moving up a spot after winning more four games. Fellow Ohio school Austintown-Fitch (17-1) won its three games by a 46-0 margin to join them in the top 10.

New York schools were the top movers. Unbeaten St. Anthony’s (19-0) gained five places to 11th, while Shenendehowa slipped six spots to No. 15.

One-loss Thunder Ridge (21-1) is the lone newcomer to the rankings at No. 23, replacing Roncalli, which dropped out this week after a pair of defeats.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – May 9, 2024

1. Katy (Texas)

Record: 36-1-1 | PR: 1

2. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 31-0 | PR: 2

3. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 18-1 | PR: 3

4. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 35-2 | PR: 4

5. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 33-1 | PR: 5

6. Saint Francis (Calif.)

Record: 23-0 | PR: 6

7. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 42-1 | PR: 7

8. Lake Central (Ind.)

Record: 27-0 | PR: 8

9. Walsh Jesuit (Ohio)

Record: 19-0 | PR: 10

10. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 17-1 | PR: 11

11. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

Record: 19-0 | PR: 15

12. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 25-1 | PR: 12

13. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 20-1 | PR: 13

14. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 35-1 | PR: 16

15. Shenendehowa (N.Y.)

Record: 15-2 | PR: 9

16. Lancaster (Ohio)

Record: 21-2 | PR: 17

17. Bartow (Fla.)

Record: 26-1 | PR: 18

18. Oak Grove (N.C.)

Record: 22-2 | PR: 14

19. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 19-2 | PR: 19

20. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 25-2 | PR: 20

21. Mount St. Dominic (N.J.)

Record: 19-1 | PR: 21

22. Notre Dame (N.J.)

Record: 18-1 | PR: 22

23. Thunder Ridge (Idaho)

Record: 21-1 | PR: NR

24. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 24-2 | PR: 24

t-25. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 31-4-1 | PR: t-25

t-25. North DeSoto (La.)

Record: 31-5 | PR: t-25

Dropped out: Roncalli (Ind.).

USA TODAY High School Sports Stars of the Week

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!

2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 9

Katy continues as No. 1 in USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Top-ranked Katy swept its playoff series to continue as the leader in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 for a fifth week.

The (34-1-1) Tigers roared past Fort Bend Dulles 10-0 and 14-0 late last week in their best-of-three Texas Class 6A bi-district matchup, and will face Cesar E. Chavez in a playoff series starting today.

Similarly, No. 2 Northwest Rankin blanked Harrison Central, 2-0 and 4-0, in the first round of the Mississippi state tournament to remain unbeaten. The (28-0) Cougars open a best-of-three Class 7A playoff series against D’Iberville on Friday.

Third-ranked Jackson (17-1) scored two more victories as the Washington state regular season is winding down, while No. 4 Calvary Baptist (35-2) and No. 5 Sterlington (33-1) both captured Louisiana state championships last Saturday. It was the fourth straight title for Calvary Baptist.

Unbeaten Saint Francis (21-0) stayed put in the No. 6 spot after posting three more victories.

Alabama’s Orange Beach jumped from 11th to seventh this week, after routing Mobile Christian by a combined 21-0 in the two games of its best-of-three playoff series. The (39-1) Makos have now won 21 straight games at home dating back to last season.

No. 8 Lake Central (24-0) moved up two places, while No. 9 Shenendehowa (13-1) cracked the top 10 just one week after joining the rankings. Poll newcomer Walsh Jesuit (15-0) is the No. 10 team, fresh off its 1-0 victory over then-No. 8 Anthony Wayne last Saturday.

Ohio teams occupy the No. 10 through 13 spots, with little to separate them from each other. A fifth school from the state, Lancaster (20-2), is the 17th-ranked team.

New Jersey’s Mount St. Dominic (14-1) is the other team making its debut, entering the Super 25 at No. 21. The Lions have won 12 straight since a 1-0 loss to St. Thomas Aquinas on April 6.

The No. 25-ranked duo of St. Thomas More (31-4-1) and North DeSoto (31-5) both lost deep in their respective Louisiana state tournaments. St. Thomas More dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker in the Division I select semis to eventual state champion Archbishop Chapelle, while North DeSoto lost 9-4 in the Division II non-select final to Lutcher, snapping a run of three straight state titles for the Griffins.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – May 2, 2024

1. Katy (Texas)

Record: 34-1-1 | PR: 1

2. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 28-0 | PR: 2

3. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 17-1 | PR: 3

4. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 35-2 | PR: 4

5. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 33-1 | PR: 5

6. Saint Francis (Calif.)

Record: 21-0 | PR: 8

7. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 39-1 | PR: 11

8. Lake Central (Ind.)

Record: 24-0 | PR: 10

9. Shenendehowa (N.Y.)

Record: 13-1 | PR: 12

10. Walsh Jesuit (Ohio)

Record: 15-0 | PR: NR

11. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 14-1 | PR: 16

12. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 23-0 | PR: 7

13. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 17-1 | PR: 8

14. Oak Grove (N.C.)

Record: 21-1 | PR: 13

15. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

Record: 12-0 | PR: 14

16. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 32-1 | PR: 9

17. Lancaster (Ohio)

Record: 20-2 | PR: 15

18. Bartow (Fla.)

Record: 25-1 | PR: 17

19. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 17-2 | PR: 18

20. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 24-2 | PR: 19

21. Mount St. Dominic (N.J.)

Record: 14-1 | PR: NR

22. Notre Dame (N.J.)

Record: 15-1 | PR: 21

23. Roncalli (Ind.)

Record: 16-1 | PR: 23

24. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 23-2 | PR: 21

t-25. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 31-4-1 | PR: 22

t-25. North DeSoto (La.)

Record: 31-5 | PR: t-25

Dropped out: Bingham (Utah) and Marist (Ill.).

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!

2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 8

Top 5 rock solid in USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Top-ranked Katy continued to pace an unchanged first five in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 for a fourth week.

The (32-1-1) Tigers easily defeated Katy Taylor for the second time this season, 15-1 last Friday, but allowed just their second run in a nine-game stretch — which was also to the Mustangs in a 11-1 win on March 22. In its other game this past week, Katy blanked Liberty, 7-0 on Monday. The Tigers, who have outscored opponents 341-11 this season, open a best-of-three Texas Class 6A bi-district series with Fort Bend Dulles later today.

No. 2 Northwest Rankin (26-0) captured its lone game and third-ranked Jackson (15-1) won twice. Calvary Baptist (33-2) and Sterlington (31-1) both won their Louisiana state quarterfinals to advance to the final four later this week. Fourth-ranked Calvary faces Notre Dame in the Division III select semis, while No. 5 Sterlington plays Jena in Saturday’s Division III non-select matchup.

Seventh-ranked Watkins Memorial (18-0) stayed unbeaten and added seven victories to its ledger, including a 4-1 victory over then-No. 10 Lancaster last Saturday to move up three spots in the rankings. The biggest gainer of the week, though, was Lake Central (20-0), which advanced five places.

On the other side of things, Lancaster (18-2) and Oak Grove (19-1) both dropped six spots following losses, while two defeats apiece knocked Antioch, Ballard and Basha out entirely.

A pair of perfect New York squads — Shenendehowa (9-0) and St. Anthony’s (11-0) — jumped into the mix at No. 12 and 14, respectively. New Jersey’s Notre Dame (9-1), which has won three straight since a 1-0 loss to Robbinsville last Thursday, is the other newcomer this week at No. 20.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – April 25, 2024

1. Katy (Texas)

Record: 32-1-1 | PR: 1

2. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 26-0 | PR: 2

3. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 15-1 | PR: 3

4. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 33-2 | PR: 4

5. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 31-1 | PR: 5

6. Saint Francis (Calif.)

Record: 18-0 | PR: 8

7. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 18-0 | PR: 10

8. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 13-0 | PR: 12

9. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 31-0 | PR: 13

10. Lake Central (Ind.)

Record: 20-0 | PR: 15

11. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 34-1 | PR: 6

12. Shenendehowa (N.Y.)

Record: 9-0 | PR: NR

13. Oak Grove (N.C.)

Record: 19-1 | PR: 7

14. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

Record: 11-0 | PR: NR

15. Lancaster (Ohio)

Record: 18-2 | PR: 9

16. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 11-1 | PR: 16

17. Bartow (Fla.)

Record: 23-1 | PR: 17

18. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 15-1 | PR: 18

19. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 21-1 | PR: 14

20. Notre Dame (N.J.)

Record: 9-1 | PR: NR

21. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 21-2 | PR: 19

22. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 31-3-1 | PR: 22

23. Roncalli (Ind.)

Record: 11-1 | PR: 23

24. Marist (Ill.)

Record: 19-1 | PR: 24

t-25. Bingham (Utah)

Record: 14-2 | PR: 20

t-25. North DeSoto (La.)

Record: 30-4 | PR: t-25

Dropped out: Antioch (Ill.), Ballard (Ky.) and Basha (Ariz.).

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!