Tag: NFCA

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Katy continued in the top spot in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 this week after a pair of lopsided victories.

The (28-1-1) Tigers mauled Jordan, 15-0, and Paetow, 11-0, and are now undefeated over their last 20 contests. They have won nine straight since an eight-inning scoreless tie with perennial Texas powerhouse Barbers Hill on March 2, and collected 19 victories in their last 21 games. Katy has outscored its opponents 297-10 this season.

Mississippi’s undefeated Northwest Rankin (21-0) continues in the No. 2 position following wins over Petal, South Panola and Lewisburg, while Washington’s Jackson (11-1) regained the third spot it last held two weeks ago following a 9-0 shutout of Kamiak and losses by new-No. 4 Calvary Baptist (31-2) and new-No. 9 Austintown-Fitch (5-1), who were both ahead of the Timberwolves last week.

Sterlington (27-1), Orange Beach (24-0) and unbeaten newcomers Lebanon (3-0) and Saint Francis (14-0) occupy the fifth through No. 8 positions, while Basha (22-1-1) rounds the top 10.

Anthony Wayne (5-0), which finished last season ranked 15th nationally, joins the poll for the first time in 2024 at No. 11 after a perfect start. Bartow (19-1), whose only blemish is a 1-0 loss to unbeaten Melbourne, is this week’s other newcomer at No. 15.

In all, 20 of the 26 ranked schools have one loss or less. Three others have just two defeats.

State rankings submitted by the 2024 NFCA High School Steering Committee are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – April 11, 2024

1. Katy (Texas)

Record: 28-1-1 | PR: 1

2. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 21-0 | PR: 2

3. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 11-1 | PR: 5

4. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 31-2 | PR: 3

5. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 27-1 | PR: 6

6. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 24-0 | PR: 10

7. Lebanon (Ohio)

Record: 3-0 | PR: NR

8. Saint Francis (Calif.)

Record: 14-0 | PR: NR

9. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 5-1 | PR: 4

10. Basha (Ariz.)

Record: 22-1-1 | PR: 8

11. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 5-0 | PR: NR

12. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 21-0-1 | PR: 11

13. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 16-0 | PR: 13

14. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 9-0 | PR: 12

15. Bartow (Fla.)

Record: 19-1 | PR: NR

16. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 9-1 | PR: 15

17. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 17-2 | PR: 7

18. Bingham (Utah)

Record: 11-1 | PR: 16

19. Ballard (Ky.)

Record: 8-0 | PR: 17

20. Antioch (Ill.)

Record: 6-1 | PR: 9

21. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 27-3 | PR: 19

22. Roncalli (Ind.)

Record: 5-0 | PR: 18

23. Marist (Ill.)

Record: 9-1 | PR: 21

t-24. Lincoln-Way East (Ill.)

Record: 10-3 | PR: 14

t-24. North DeSoto (La.)

Record: 27-4 | PR: 20

25. Red Mountain (Ariz.)

Record: 20-2 | PR: 25

Dropped out: Canyon Del Oro (Ariz.), Lemont (Ill.) and Rockridge (Ill.).

About the NFCA:

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!

National scoreboard from ScoreStream

Live Stream High School Sports on the NFHS Network

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Katy took over the top spot in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 this week after Pacifica’s perfect run came to an end with two losses.

The (26-1-1) Tigers moved up from second to No. 1 for the first time following another strong week. Katy has now won 18 straight games since a 2-1 loss to Weslaco on Feb. 22, and has outscored its opponents 271-10 so far this season. And in the seven games since an eight-inning scoreless tie with perennial Texas powerhouse Barbers Hill on March 2, the Tigers have routed opponents 103-1.

Unbeaten Northwest Rankin (18-0) didn’t play this week but is the new No. 2 team after gaining one spot. The defending Mississippi Class 6A champion Cougars have a 26-game win streak dating back to last season.

Calvary Baptist, Austintown-Fitch, Jackson and Sterlington all kept winning to jump ahead of Pacifica (15-2), which was No. 1 for the first four rankings, but lost twice at the prestigious Michelle Carew Classic to drop to seventh nationally.

New No. 3 Calvary Baptist (29-1) captured last Friday’s ranked matchup with then-No. 19 North DeSoto, 6-4, and has now won 14 straight. Fourth-ranked Austintown-Fitch (3-0) won two more games and has outscored its opponents 28-0 through its first three contests.

No. 5 Jackson (10-1) routed Arlington, 15-0, on Wednesday among its three victories over the past week. Sixth-ranked Sterlington (24-1), which has wins earlier this season over fellow Louisiana ranked squads St. Thomas More and North DeSoto, rolled in its only action, 13-1 over Neville.

Elsewhere, Alabama’s Orange Beach (20-0) and Arkansas’ Sheridan (14-0) are the two newcomers this week at No. 10 and 13, respectively.

State rankings submitted by the 2024 NFCA High School Steering Committee are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – April 4, 2024

1. Katy (Texas)

Record: 26-1-1 | PR: 2

2. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 18-0 | PR: 3

3. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 29-1 | PR: 4

4. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 3-0 | PR: 5

5. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 10-1 | PR: 6

6. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 24-1 | PR: 7

7. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 15-2 | PR: 1

8. Basha (Ariz.)

Record: 19-1-1 | PR: 8

9. Antioch (Ill.)

Record: 5-0 | PR: 9

10. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 20-0 | PR: NR

11. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 10-0 | PR: 10

12. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 5-0 | PR: 11

13. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 14-0 | PR: NR

14. Lincoln-Way East (Ill.)

Record: 6-1 | PR: 12

15. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 8-1 | PR: 13

16. Bingham (Utah)

Record: 8-1 | PR: 14

17. Ballard (Ky.)

Record: 6-0 | PR: 15

18. Roncalli (Ind.)

Record: 1-0 | PR: 16

19. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 25-2 | PR: 18

20. North DeSoto (La.)

Record: 26-4 | PR: 19

21. Marist (Ill.)

Record: 4-1 | PR: 20

22. Rockridge (Ill.)

Record: 4-1 | PR: 21

23. Lemont (Ill.)

Record: 2-2 | PR: 22

24. Canyon Del Oro (Ariz.)

Record: 19-2 | PR: 23

25. Red Mountain (Ariz.)

Record: 17-2 | PR: 24

Dropped out: Benton (Ark.) and Neshoba Central (Miss.).

About the NFCA:

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!

National scoreboard from ScoreStream

Live Stream High School Sports on the NFHS Network

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Pacifica continued its perfect run to remain atop the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 for a fourth straight week.

The (14-0) Mariners shut out Cypress, 5-0 on Tuesday, in their only action since last week. Senior Brynne Nally led the way on both sides of the ball for Pacifica with an one-hitter in the circle and two-hit, two-RBI day at the plate. She and the Mariners play at Calexico today.

Meanwhile, Katy (24-1-1) kept pace with two more victories, 11-1 over Katy Taylor last Friday and 15-0 over Tompkins on Tuesday. The Tigers have Morton Ranch up next this afternoon.

Northwest Rankin (18-0), Calvary Baptist (26-1) and Austintown-Fitch (1-0) all moved up one spot, leapfrogging Jackson (7-1), which slid to sixth after losing 1-0 on Saturday to Skyview.

The next five teams remained the same, ahead of new No. 12 Lincoln-Way East (5-1) and poll newcomer Owyhee (7-1) at No. 13.

No. 20 North DeSoto (23-3) gained a spot after beating No. 7 Sterlington 7-1 on Tuesday to earn a season split with the Panthers. Elsewhere, Lemont (2-1) rebounded from last week’s ranked loss to Marist with an 11-0 rout of Evergreen Park to remain 23rd in the Super 25.

State rankings submitted by the 2024 NFCA High School Steering Committee are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – March 28, 2024

1. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 14-0 | PR: 1

2. Katy (Texas)

Record: 24-1-1 | PR: 2

3. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 18-0 | PR: 4

4. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 26-1 | PR: 5

5. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 1-0 | PR: 6

6. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 7-1 | PR: 3

7. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 23-1 | PR: 7

8. Basha (Ariz.)

Record: 16-1-1 | PR: 8

9. Antioch (Ill.)

Record: 5-0 | PR: 9

10. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 9-0 | PR: 10

11. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 3-0 | PR: 11

12. Lincoln-Way East (Ill.)

Record: 5-1 | PR: 17

13. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 7-1 | PR: NR

14. Bingham (Utah)

Record: 7-1 | PR: 13

15. Ballard (Ky.)

Record: 4-0 | PR: 15

16. Roncalli (Ind.)

Record: 0-0 | PR: 16

17. Benton (Ark.)

Record: 5-1 | PR: 19

18. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 23-2 | PR: 20

19. North DeSoto (La.)

Record: 23-3 | PR: 21

20. Marist (Ill.)

Record: 3-1 | PR: 22

21. Rockridge (Ill.)

Record: 1-0 | PR: 12

22. Lemont (Ill.)

Record: 2-1 | PR: 23

23. Canyon Del Oro (Ariz.)

Record: 17-2 | PR: 2

24. Red Mountain (Ariz.)

Record: 14-2 | PR: 14

25. Neshoba Central (Miss.)

Record: 14-2 | PR: 25

Dropped out: Coral Springs Charter (Fla.) and West Stanly (N.C.).

About the NFCA:

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!

National scoreboard from ScoreStream

Live Stream High School Sports on the NFHS Network

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The first four places in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25  remained the same this week, led by unbeaten No. 1 Pacifica.

The (13-0) Mariners stayed perfect for the season with a 13-0 romp over Valencia on Wednesday, and also defeated Crean Lutheran and El Modena in a 3-0 week. Katy (22-1-1), Jackson (5-0) and Northwest Rankin (12-0) combined to go 5-0 and keep pace in places 2-4.

After that, things got interesting with big moves and three poll newcomers joining the top 10.

Losses above them allowed one-loss Calvary Baptist (20-1) to surge six spots to fifth and highly-rated Austintown-Fitch, which opens its season Saturday against Lakeview, to move up to No. 6. Basha (14-1-1) stayed eighth after a 3-0-1 week that included a 10-0 rout of No. 18 Canyon Del Oro, just below new No. 7 Sterlington. The (21-0) Panthers have wins over last week’s fifth-ranked team, North DeSoto and debuting No. 20 St. Thomas More this season.

Unbeaten newcomers Antioch (4-0) and Diamond (7-0) round out the top 10. Antioch beat incoming No. 17 Lincoln-Way East on Saturday, while Diamond defeated then-No. 22 Mount Vernon twice in the last week, including 9-5 on Wednesday in the final of the two-day Mount Vernon Tournament.

Coral Springs Charter and West Stanly are tied for the 25th spot after losses dropped them four and eight places, respectively. Desert Mountain, Lake Creek, Mount Vernon and Norco all fell out of the poll this week.

State rankings submitted by the 2024 NFCA High School Steering Committee are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – March 21, 2024

1. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 13-0 | PR: 1

2. Katy (Texas)

Record: 22-1-1 | PR: 2

3. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 5-0 | PR: 3

4. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 12-0 | PR: 4

5. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 20-1 | PR: 11

6. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 0-0 | PR: 7

7. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 21-0 | PR: NR

8. Basha (Ariz.)

Record: 14-1-1 | PR: 8

9. Antioch (Ill.)

Record: 4-0 | PR: NR

10. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 7-0 | PR: NR

11. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 1-0 | PR: 13

12. Rockridge (Ill.)

Record: 1-0 | PR: 14

13. Bingham (Utah)

Record: 7-0 | PR: 24

14. Red Mountain (Ariz.)

Record: 12-1 | PR: 15

15. Ballard (Ky.)

Record: 1-0 | PR: 19

16. Roncalli (Ind.)

Record: 0-0 | PR: 20

17. Lincoln-Way East (Ill.)

Record: 4-1 | PR: NR

18. Canyon Del Oro (Ariz.)

Record: 15-1 | PR: 18

19. Benton (Ark.)

Record: 4-1 | PR: 22

20. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 20-2 | PR: NR

21. North DeSoto (La.)

Record: 20-3 | PR: 5

22. Marist (Ill.)

Record: 2-1 | PR: 6

23. Lemont (Ill.)

Record: 1-1 | PR: 12

24. Neshoba Central (Miss.)

Record: 8-2 | PR: 16

t-25. Coral Springs Charter (Fla.)

Record: 7-2 | PR: 21

t-25. West Stanly (N.C.)

Record: 8-1 | PR: 17

Dropped out: Desert Mountain (Ariz.), Lake Creek (Texas), Mount Vernon (Mo.) and Norco (Calif.).

About the NFCA:

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!

National scoreboard from ScoreStream

Live Stream High School Sports on the NFHS Network

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Reigning California Division 1 Southern Section champion Pacifica opens the 2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 as the top-ranked team, fresh off winning the prestigious Dave Kops Tournament of Champions in Arizona.

The unbeaten (9-0) Mariners won all six games at that event, including a 6-1 triumph over defending titlist Norco in the championship game’s matchup of ranked squads. Pacifica has now won its last 16.

No. 2 Katy (20-1-1) is the new Texas team at the top of the poll to start the year, after two-time 5A state champion Lake Creek spent all but two weeks of the last two seasons in the No. 1 spot, including the last 31 weeks. The Tigers followed up Saturday’s scoreless eight-inning tie with perennial Texas power Barbers Hill by mauling Paetow 16-0 on Tuesday.

Jackson, which finished second nationally in 2023 after winning its final 14 to capture the Washington state 4A crown, is strongly positioned at No. 3 heading into its March 11 season opener at Inglemoor.

No. 4 Northwest Rankin (8-0), which returned nine starters from last year’s Mississippi state 6A championship team, hasn’t skipped a beat in the newly-created Class 7A, outscoring its eight opponents so far 78-12. Louisiana powerhouse North DeSoto (14-0), which is chasing its fourth straight state crown and sixth title since 2015, rounds out the top five.

The other three teams in the poll off to perfect starts — North Carolina’s West Stanly (2-0), Arizona’s Canyon Del Oro (14-0) and Arkansas’ Benton (2-0) find themselves grouped at Nos. 16-18 this week.

State rankings submitted by the 2024 NFCA High School Steering Committee are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – March 7, 2024

1. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 9-0

2. Katy (Texas)

Record: 20-1-1

3. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 0-0

4. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 8-0

5. North DeSoto (La.)

Record: 14-0

6. Marist (Ill.)

Record: 0-0

7. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 0-0

8. Basha (Ariz.)

Record: 8-1

9. Desert Mountain (Ariz.)

Record: 7-1

10. Norco (Calif.)

Record: 8-2

11. Lemont (Ill.)

Record: 0-0

12. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 0-0

13. Rockridge (Ill.)

Record: 0-0

14. Red Mountain (Ariz.)

Record: 7-1

15. Neshoba Central (Miss.)

Record: 5-1

16. West Stanly (N.C.)

Record: 2-0

17. Canyon Del Oro (Ariz.)

Record: 11-0

18. Benton (Ark.)

Record: 2-0

19. Ballard (Ky.)

Record: 0-0

20. Roncalli (Ind.)

Record: 0-0

21. Coral Springs Charter (Fla.)

Record: 3-1

22. Mount Vernon (Mo.)

Record: 0-0

23. Bingham (Utah)

Record: 0-0

24. St. Amant (La.)

Record: 10-3

25. Lake Creek (Texas)

Record: 17-5

Dropped out: Queen Creek (Ariz.).

About the NFCA:

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!

National scoreboard from ScoreStream

Live Stream High School Sports on the NFHS Network