Final USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings

The top high school softball teams in the country as of June 24.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Unbeaten eight-time Mississippi state Class 5A champion Neshoba Central completed the 2021 spring season No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

The (32-0) Rockets capped the run to their latest state crown with the second of two victories over East Central in the best-of-three championship series, 14-2, on May 14. Neshoba won the opener, 7-3, the previous day. They will start next season having won 39 consecutive games.

There was no movement this final week with only two ranked teams still playing. Both No. 8 Marist and 13th-ranked Donovan Catholic captured state titles.

Abby Dunning struck out eight and tossed a three-hitter despite her right arm cramping up due to dehydration in 90-degree heat, as Marist (38-1) beat Lincoln-Way Central, 3-1, in last Thursday’s Illinois state Class 4A final. Isabel Cunnea, Eileen Donahue and Sierra Sass drove in runs for the Redhawks, who had beaten Huntley, 1-0, in Thursday’s semifinal round.

Meanwhile, Adriana Romano hit a three-run homer with two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the seventh last Friday, as Donovan Catholic (29-1) forced extra innings before finally winning the New Jersey Non-Public A championship, 8-7 in 10 innings, over Immaculate Heart Academy. Emily Kurth’s sacrifice fly scored Alyssa Apruzzi with the winning run in the final inning to give the Griffins a second-straight state crown.

Donovan Catholic also claimed its second-straight New Jersey Tournament of Champions over the weekend with triumphs over Clayton and Livingston. Romano fanned 12 over 5.1 innings before Julia Apostolakos pitched out of a two-on, one-out jam in the sixth and retired the side in the seventh in a 3-2 semifinal win over Clayton. The Griffins then rolled past Livingston in Sunday’s final, 18-5, on the strength of a 17-run bottom of the third.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches 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. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – Final 2021 rankings

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 32-0 – PR: 1

2. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 30-2 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 49-3-1 – PR: 3

4. Park Vista (Fla.): 29-1 – PR: 4

5. Lake Creek (Texas): 38-2 – PR: 5

6. Barbe (La.): 31-2 – PR: 6

7. New Palestine (Ind.): 28-1 – PR: 7

8. Marist (Ill.): 38-1 – PR: 8

9. Keystone (Ohio): 33-1 – PR: 9

10. Byrnes (S.C.): 32-1 – PR: 10

11. Mahopac (N.Y.): 19-1 – PR: 11

12. Roncalli (Ind.): 31-2 – PR: 12

13. Donovan Catholic (N.J.): 29-1 – PR: 13

14. Barbers Hill (Texas): 42-2 – PR: 14

15. Lakota West (Ohio): 30-2 – PR: 15

16. Norco (Calif.): 27-2 – PR: 16

17. St. Amant (La.): 25-3 – PR: 17

18. Leander (Texas): 37-3 – PR: 18

19. South Warren (Ky.): 35-2 – PR: 19

20. Masuk (Conn.): 24-0 – PR: 20

21. West Stanly (N.C.): 20-0 – PR: 21

22. Stillwater Area (Minn.): 23-2 – PR: 22

23. Deer Park (Texas): 40-8 – PR: 23

24. Clear Springs (Texas): 31-2 – PR: 24

25. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 25-2 – PR: 24

Dropped out: None

Learn more about the NFCA.

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

The top high school softball teams in the country as of June 17.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Perennial national power Norco’s loss in the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section semifinals caused the only changes in this week’s USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

The (27-2) Cougars dropped in the rankings after a 7-2 playoff loss to Esperanza last Thursday. There was no other movement in the Top 25 — led by unbeaten eight-time Mississippi state Class 5A champion Neshoba Central — as most teams have already finished their season.

No. 8 Marist (36-1) gained one spot in the rankings after a pair of lopsided Illinois playoff victories. The Redhawks rolled past York, 11-1, in last Thursday’s sectional final, then routed Taft, 10-0, in Monday’s super sectional matchup. Marist faces Huntley today in the Class 4A state semis.

Mahopac (19-1) also moved up one spot, to 11th, after finishing its season with its first Section 1 crown. Notre Dame-bound senior pitcher Shannon Becker struck out 18 and freshman shortstop Ava Lichtenberger threw out a runner at home in the top of the 10th, then won the game with a walk-off single in the bottom half, as the Indians defeated North Rockland, 1-0, last Saturday. That was the end of the line for Mahopac, as New York ended its high school softball season this year at sectionals, opting not to hold the state tournament that would normally follow.

Ally Walesky hit two homers and Keagan Rothrock fanned 16 batters to power Roncalli (31-2) past Lake Central, 4-1, in the Indiana Class 4A final, and make the No. 12 Royals the first team from the Hoosier state to win crowns in three different classifications. Roncalli has won four state titles overall, capturing the state 3A crown in 2011 and claiming the Class 2A title in 1999 and 2001.

Donovan Catholic (26-1) will play Immaculate Heart Academy in Friday’s New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association non-public Group A final, after beating St. John-Vianney, 10-0, last Thursday, and St. Thomas Aquinas, 2-0, on Monday. A win would put the Griffins in the Tournament of Champions this weekend, where all the various winners compete to decide the best high school squad in New Jersey.

Elsewhere, Masuk (24-0) wrapped up an undefeated season with a 2-0 victory over St. Joseph in last Saturday’s Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Class L final, while top-seeded Stillwater Area (23-2) was stunned by unseeded Forest Lake, 8-5, in the Minnesota Class 4A quarterfinals.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches 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. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – June 17, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 32-0 – PR: 1

2. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 30-2 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 49-3-1 – PR: 3

4. Park Vista (Fla.): 29-1 – PR: 4

5. Lake Creek (Texas): 38-2 – PR: 5

6. Barbe (La.): 31-2 – PR: 6

7. New Palestine (Ind.): 28-1 – PR: 8

8. Marist (Ill.): 36-1 – PR: 9

9. Keystone (Ohio): 33-1 – PR: 10

10. Byrnes (S.C.): 32-1 – PR: 11

11. Mahopac (N.Y.): 19-1 – PR: 12

12. Roncalli (Ind.): 31-2 – PR: 13

13. Donovan Catholic (N.J.): 26-1 – PR: 14

14. Barbers Hill (Texas): 42-2 – PR: 15

15. Lakota West (Ohio): 30-2 – PR: 16

16. Norco (Calif.): 27-2 – PR: 7

17. St. Amant (La.): 25-3 – PR: 17

18. Leander (Texas): 37-3 – PR: 18

19. South Warren (Ky.): 35-2 – PR: 19

20. Masuk (Conn.): 24-0 – PR: 20

21. West Stanly (N.C.): 20-0 – PR: 21

22. Stillwater Area (Minn.): 23-2 – PR: 22

23. Deer Park (Texas): 40-8 – PR: 23

24. Clear Springs (Texas): 31-2 – PR: 24

25. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 25-2 – PR: 24

Dropped out: None

Learn more about the NFCA.

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

The top high school softball teams in the country as of June 10.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Playoff results led to some slight adjustments this week’s USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

Unbeaten eight-time Mississippi state Class 5A champion Neshoba Central (32-0) continues to top the list, but a loss by Lakota West and Texas state championships moved Barbers Hill up and got Deer Park into the rankings this week, respectively.

Barbers Hill (42-2) won the Texas state 5A crown, while Deer Park (40-8) claimed the 6A title this past week, and Lakota West fell 4-2 to Perry in the Ohio Division I semifinals.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches 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. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – June 10, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 32-0 – PR: 1

2. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 30-2 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 49-3-1 – PR: 3

4. Park Vista (Fla.): 29-1 – PR: 4

5. Lake Creek (Texas): 38-2 – PR: 5

6. Barbe (La.): 31-2 – PR: 6

7. Norco (Calif.): 27-1 – PR: 7

8. New Palestine (Ind.): 28-1 – PR: 8

9. Marist (Ill.): 34-1 – PR: 9

10. Keystone (Ohio): 33-1 – PR: 10

11. Byrnes (S.C.): 32-1 – PR: 11

12. Mahopac (N.Y.): 17-1 – PR: 13

13. Roncalli (Ind.): 30-2 – PR: 14

14. Donovan Catholic (N.J.): 24-1 – PR: 15

15. Barbers Hill (Texas): 42-2 – PR: 20

16. Lakota West (Ohio): 30-2 – PR: 12

17. St. Amant (La.): 25-3 – PR: 17

18. Leander (Texas): 37-3 – PR: 18

19. South Warren (Ky.): 34-1 – PR: 19

20. Masuk (Conn.): 23-0 – PR: 21

21. West Stanly (N.C.): 20-0 – PR: 22

22. Stillwater Area (Minn.): 23-1 – PR: 23

23. Deer Park (Texas): 40-8 – PR: NR

24. Clear Springs (Texas): 31-2 – PR: 6

25. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 25-2 – PR: 24

Dropped out: 

Winnacunnet (N.H.)

Learn more about the NFCA.

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

The top high school softball teams in the country as of May 27.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Four newcomers forced their way into this week’s USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 with continued stellar play in their respective states.

Unbeaten eight-time Mississippi state Class 5A champion Neshoba Central (32-0) continues to top the list, but three Eastern schools — New York’s Mahopac, New Jersey’s Donovan Catholic and North Carolina’s West Stanly — and one Great Lakes squad — Minnesota’s Stillwater Area — joined the mix of high school powerhouses.

Lake Creek (38-1) remained second in the rankings despite Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to No. 20 Barbers Hill (39-2) in the first game of a best-of-three Texas 5A playoff series. The two teams could play as many as two games today to determine which squad moves forward and which one is done for the season.

Meanwhile, Lakewood Ranch (30-2) moved up to No. 3 this week after capping its season with an impressive 14-4, run-rule victory over No. 5 Park Vista for its first Florida state Class 7A championship, just ahead of Hewitt-Trussville (49-3-1) which dropped a game to Fairhope en route to a second-straight Alabama state Class 7A crown.

Mahopac (13-1) got a 12-strikeout, three-double, five-RBI performance from Notre Dame commit Shannon Becker in a 10-0 victory over Somers on Wednesday to finally get off the radar and into the rankings at No. 15, while top-seeded Donovan Catholic (18-1), which will play in its third straight Shore Conference Tournament final on Saturday, enters the poll at No. 17.

No. 22 West Stanly (20-0) wrapped a perfect season with a state Class 2A crown to slot in just ahead of fellow newcomer Stillwater Area (19-1), which has a Section 4AAAA quarterfinal looming Tuesday.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches 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. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – May 27, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 32-0 – PR: 1

2. Lake Creek (Texas): 38-1 – PR: 2

3. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 30-2 – PR: 4

4. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 49-3-1 – PR: 3

5. Park Vista (Fla.): 29-1 – PR: 5

6. Clear Springs (Texas): 30-0 – PR: 7

7. Leander (Texas): 36-1 – PR: 6

8. Barbe (La.): 31-2 – PR: 8

9. Norco (Calif.): 23-1 – PR: 9

10. New Palestine (Ind.): 28-1 – PR: 10

11. Marist (Ill.): 27-1 – PR: 12

12. Keystone (Ohio): 30-1 – PR: 13

13. Byrnes (S.C.): 30-1 – PR: 14

14. Lakota West (Ohio): 28-1 – PR: 16

15. Mahopac (N.Y.): 13-1 – PR: NR

16. Roncalli (Ind.): 26-2 – PR: 17

17. Donovan Catholic (N.J.): 18-1 – PR: NR

18. St. Amant (La.): 25-3 – PR: 11

19. South Warren (Ky.): 30-1 – PR: 18

20. Barbers Hill (Texas): 39-2 – PR: 20

21. Masuk (Conn.): 19-0 – PR: 21

22. West Stanly (N.C.): 20-0 – PR: NR

23. Stillwater Area (Minn.): 19-1 – PR: NR

24. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 25-2 – PR: 23

25. Winnacunnet (N.H.): 5-0 – PR: 24

Dropped out: 

Bob Jones (Ala.)

Crown Point (Ind.)

Rocky Mountain (Idaho)

Trenton (Fla.)

Learn more about the NFCA.

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

The top high school softball teams in the country as of May 20.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Another year, another state title for Neshoba Central.

The top-ranked (32-0) Rockets capped their run to an eighth straight Mississippi Class 5A crown with the second of two victories over East Central, 14-0, last Friday. Neshoba opened the best-of-three championship series with a 7-3 victory last Thursday. The No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 heads into the offseason having won 39 consecutive games.

Second-ranked Lake Creek (37-0) rolled to a 16-0 triumph in last Friday’s Texas 5A playoff showdown with Magnolia West, and will face Crosby tonight. No. 3 Hewitt-Trussville topped Baker, 5-4, this morning, and will face the winner of the Hoover-Sparkman matchup at 1:30 p.m. today, then potentially play another contest at 5 p.m. to set up Friday’s Alabama state 7A championship.

In that 5 p.m. contest, Hewitt-Trussville could face No. 19 Bob Jones (35-4), who blanked Thompson, 5-0, this morning, and will play the winner of the earlier Fairhope-Vestavia Hills matchup at 1:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, No. 4 Lakewood Ranch (28-2) competes in its third straight Florida 7A final four on Friday against Palmetto Bay, after dispatching West Orange, 7-2, in their regional final last Friday. Park Vista (28-0), Leander (34-1) and Clear Springs (28-0) all advanced in their respective state tournament brackets to remain fifth through seventh this week.

Crown Point (26-3) dropped one spot, to 22nd, following last Thursday’s 7-2 ranked loss to Marist (24-1), who subsequently lost 2-1 to Lake Central on Monday to fall one place themselves to No. 12.

Elsewhere, No. 25 Trenton (20-1) beat Jay, 5-4, on Wednesday to capture the Florida Class 1A state championship.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches 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. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – May 20, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 32-0 – PR: 1

2. Lake Creek (Texas): 37-0 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 45-2-1 – PR: 3

4. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 28-2 – PR: 4

5. Park Vista (Fla.): 28-0 – PR: 5

6. Leander (Texas): 34-1 – PR: 6

7. Clear Springs (Texas): 28-0 – PR: 7

8. Barbe (La.): 31-2 – PR: 8

9. Norco (Calif.): 20-1 – PR: 9

10. New Palestine (Ind.): 25-0 – PR: 12

11. St. Amant (La.): 25-3 – PR: 10

12. Marist (Ill.): 24-1 – PR: 11

13. Keystone (Ohio): 28-1 – PR: 13

14. Byrnes (S.C.): 27-1 – PR: 14

15. Rocky Mountain (Idaho): 21-1 – PR: 15

16. Lakota West (Ohio): 27-1 – PR: 16

17. Roncalli (Ind.): 22-2 – PR: 17

18. South Warren (Ky.): 26-1 – PR: 18

19. Bob Jones (Ala.): 35-4 – PR: 19

20. Barbers Hill (Texas): 34-2 – PR: 20

21. Masuk (Conn.): 16-0 – PR: 22

22. Crown Point (Ind.): 26-3 – PR: 21

23. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 25-2 – PR: 23

24. Winnacunnet (N.H.): 4-0 – PR: 24

25. Trenton (Fla.): 20-1 – PR: 25

Dropped out: None

Learn more about the NFCA.

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

The top high school softball teams in the country as of May 13.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Stop us if you’ve heard this before: Neshoba Central advanced to the Class 5A state finals.

The seven-time reigning Mississippi state titlist and No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 will face East Central later today in the opener of the best-of-three championship series at the University of Southern Mississippi. Game two will be Friday, with a third game, if necessary, slated for Saturday. The (30-0) Rockets are riding a 37-game win streak.

Meanwhile, No. 2 Lake Creek (36-0), third-ranked Hewitt-Trussville (43-2-1), No. 4 Lakewood Ranch (27-2) and fifth-ranked Park Vista (27-0) all continued to advance through their respective state tournaments and play again in the coming days.

San Antonio Warren (25-2) dropped all the way from sixth to 23rd after being upset in the final two games of a best-of-three playoff series against Los Fresnos, allowing the eight teams below to slide up one spot each.

Elsewhere, Connecticut’s Masuk (14-0) and New Hampshire’s Winnacunnet (4-0) are new to this week’s rankings.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches 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. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – May 13, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 30-0 – PR: 1

2. Lake Creek (Texas): 36-0 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 43-2-1 – PR: 3

4. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 27-2 – PR: 4

5. Park Vista (Fla.): 27-0 – PR: 5

6. Leander (Texas): 32-0 – PR: 7

7. Clear Springs (Texas): 26-0 – PR: 8

8. Barbe (La.): 31-2 – PR: 9

9. Norco (Calif.): 17-1 – PR: 10

10. St. Amant (La.): 25-3 – PR: 11

11. Marist (Ill.): 21-0 – PR: 12

12. New Palestine (Ind.): 23-0 – PR: 13

13. Keystone (Ohio): 26-1 – PR: 14

14. Byrnes (S.C.): 25-1 – PR: 16

15. Rocky Mountain (Idaho): 21-1 – PR: 18

16. Lakota West (Ohio): 25-1 – PR: 19

17. Roncalli (Ind.): 19-2 – PR: 15

18. South Warren (Ky.): 20-1 – PR: 17

19. Bob Jones (Ala.): 33-4 – PR: 20

20. Barbers Hill (Texas): 33-2 – PR: 21

21. Crown Point (Ind.): 21-2 – PR: 22

22. Masuk (Conn.): 14-0 – PR: NR

23. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 25-2 – PR: 6

24. Winnacunnet (N.H.): 4-0 – PR: NR

25. Trenton (Fla.): 18-1 – PR: 25

Dropped out:

Alvin (Texas)

Spain Park (Ala.)

Learn more about the NFCA.

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

The top high school softball teams in the country as of May 6.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Seven-time reigning Mississippi state champion Neshoba Central advanced to the Class 5A North State finals and remained No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 for a fifth straight week.

The (27-0) Rockets defeated Grenada twice to run their win streak to 44 games and reach the fourth round of the playoffs. Neshoba will play the winner of a weather-delayed best-of-three series between New Hope and Saltillo this weekend. Saltillo won the first game, 13-4, and can advance with another win later today. The state finals are slated for next weekend at Mississippi State University.

Meanwhile, No. 2 Lake Creek (34-0) overwhelmed Magnolia 39-0 in a pair of Texas playoff contests — the first postseason victories for the Lions in school history. Senior Emiley Kennedy fanned 12 in the first game, while sophomore Ava Brown tossed a perfect game in the second, striking out 20 of the 21 batters she faced.

Fifth-ranked Park Vista (25-0), which has won 44 straight games, finally heads back to action today with a Florida playoff matchup against Jupiter, the last team to beat the Cobras back on April 25, 2019.

Elsewhere, New Palestine (19-0) moved up one more place this week after dealing No. 15 Roncalli (15-1) its first loss, 4-0, last Saturday in a showdown of top Indiana programs.

South Carolina’s Byrnes (23-1) and Kentucky’s South Warren (14-0) are the poll newcomers.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches 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. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – May 6, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 27-0 – PR: 1

2. Lake Creek (Texas): 34-0 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 42-2-1 – PR: 3

4. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 25-2 – PR: 4

5. Park Vista (Fla.): 25-0 – PR: 5

6. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 24-0 – PR: 6

7. Leander (Texas): 31-0 – PR: 7

8. Clear Springs (Texas): 25-0 – PR: 8

9. Barbe (La.): 31-2 – PR: 9

10. Norco (Calif.): 14-1 – PR: 12

11. St. Amant (La.): 25-3 – PR: 10

12. Marist (Ill.): 18-0 – PR: 13

13. New Palestine (Ind.): 19-0 – PR: 14

14. Keystone (Ohio): 23-1 – PR: 16

15. Roncalli (Ind.): 15-1 – PR: 15

16. Byrnes (S.C.): 23-1 – PR: NR

17. South Warren (Ky.): 14-0 – PR: NR

18. Rocky Mountain (Idaho): 21-1 – PR: 17

19. Lakota West (Ohio): 21-1 – PR: 18

20. Bob Jones (Ala.): 30-4 – PR: 11

21. Barbers Hill (Texas): 31-2 – PR: 21

22. Crown Point (Ind.): 17-2 – PR: 20

23. Alvin (Texas): 24-3 – PR: 23

24. Spain Park (Ala.): 35-5 – PR: 24

25. Trenton (Fla.): 17-1 – PR: 25

Dropped out:

Eastern Alamance (N.C.)

Spanish Fork (Utah)

Learn more about the NFCA.

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

The top high school softball teams in the country as of April 29.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — There was some jostling in this week’s USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll, but not at the top, as perennial power Neshoba Central continued to win and remained No. 1 for a fourth-straight week.

The (25-0) Rockets defeated West Lauderdale last Thursday in the Mississippi playoffs, then defeated Center Hill twice this week to win their 42nd straight game. Neshoba hosts Grenada in the third round of the playoffs on Friday, with game two of that series set for Saturday on the road.

The (22-4) Chargers dealt the seven-time reigning state 5A champs their last loss, 5-2, on April 26, 2019, in the first game of a best-of-three playoff series ultimately won by Neshoba.

Every other team in the top 10 kept winning, including No. 2 Lake Creek (32-0), which scored victories over Caney Creek and Lovelady; third-ranked Hewitt-Trussville (40-2-1), which rolled past Tuscaloosa County; and No. 4 Lakewood Ranch (24-2), which defeated Riverview on Tuesday in the Florida district semis.

Los Alamitos (10-3) suffered two more losses to drop out of the rankings this week, with one-loss Ohio power Lakota West (18-1) the newcomer at No. 18. The Firebirds’ lone defeat of the season was a 5-1 setback against unbeaten Indiana powerhouse and No. 15-ranked Roncalli (14-0) on April 17.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches 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. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – April 29, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 25-0 – PR: 1

2. Lake Creek (Texas): 32-0 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 40-2-1 – PR: 3

4. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 24-2 – PR: 4

5. Park Vista (Fla.): 25-0 – PR: 5

6. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 22-0 – PR: 6

7. Leander (Texas): 29-0 – PR: 7

8. Clear Springs (Texas): 24-0 – PR: 8

9. Barbe (La.): 26-2 – PR: 9

10. St. Amant (La.): 23-2 – PR: 10

11. Bob Jones (Ala.): 26-3 – PR: 12

12. Norco (Calif.): 11-1 – PR: 13

13. Marist (Ill.): 11-0 – PR: 14

14. New Palestine (Ind.): 15-0 – PR: 15

15. Roncalli (Ind.): 14-0 – PR: 17

16. Keystone (Ohio): 21-1 – PR: 18

17. Rocky Mountain (Idaho): 18-1 – PR: 16

18. Lakota West (Ohio): 18-1 – PR: NR

19. Spanish Fork (Utah): 22-1 – PR: 20

20. Crown Point (Ind.): 12-1 – PR: 21

21. Barbers Hill (Texas): 28-2 – PR: 22

22. Eastern Alamance (N.C.): 12-2 – PR: 19

23. Alvin (Texas): 22-3 – PR: 23

24. Spain Park (Ala.): 33-5 – PR: 24

25. Trenton (Fla.): 15-1 – PR: 25

Dropped out:

Los Alamitos (Calif.)

Learn more about the NFCA.

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

The top high school softball teams in the country as of April 22.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Perennial power Neshoba Central continued to win and remained No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll for a third-straight week.

The (22-0) Rockets had a rare close game, edging Holmes Central just 1-0 last Thursday, but rolled past Choctaw Central, 9-2, the next day. Neshoba will vie for its 40th straight win when it hosts West Lauderdale tonight. The Rockets’ last loss came April 26, 2019, when they dropped the first game of a best-of-three playoff series, 5-2, to Grenada.

Meanwhile, Emiley Kennedy no-hit Cleveland and had 12 strikeouts in a 12-0 rout for second-ranked Lake Creek (30-0) on Tuesday, which followed up Ava Brown’s 11 strikeouts in last Friday’s district-clinching 14-0 triumph over Porter. The Lions have won 34 straight and 45 of their last 46 games.

The first eight teams remain unchanged, as all but Leander (29-0), who didn’t play, added wins to their resumes. Louisiana standouts Barbe (26-2) and St. Amant (23-2) both are in the top 10 now following Los Alamitos’ 3-2 loss to Pacifica on Wednesday.

The lone newcomer to the poll this week is Indiana’s undefeated Roncalli (11-0), which dealt Ohio power Lakota West its first loss, 5-1, last Saturday.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches 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. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – April 22, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 22-0 – PR: 1

2. Lake Creek (Texas): 30-0 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 33-2-1 – PR: 3

4. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 21-2 – PR: 4

5. Park Vista (Fla.): 22-0 – PR: 5

6. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 21-0 – PR: 6

7. Leander (Texas): 29-0 – PR: 7

8. Clear Springs (Texas): 23-0 – PR: 8

9. Barbe (La.): 26-2 – PR: 10

10. St. Amant (La.): 23-2 – PR: 11

11. Los Alamitos (Calif.): 10-1 – PR: 9

12. Bob Jones (Ala.): 25-3 – PR: 12

13. Norco (Calif.): 8-1 – PR: 13

14. Marist (Ill.): 6-0 – PR: 14

15. New Palestine (Ind.): 8-0 – PR: 15

16. Rocky Mountain (Idaho): 17-0 – PR: 19

17. Roncalli (Ind.): 11-0 – PR: NR

18. Keystone (Ohio): 16-1 – PR: 16

19. Eastern Alamance (N.C.): 11-1 – PR: 17

20. Spanish Fork (Utah): 20-1 – PR: 18

21. Crown Point (Ind.): 9-1 – PR: 20

22. Barbers Hill (Texas): 28-2 – PR: 21

23. Alvin (Texas): 21-3 – PR: 22

24. Spain Park (Ala.): 30-5 – PR: 23

25. Trenton (Fla.): 13-1 – PR: 24

Dropped out:

O’Connor (Ariz.)

Learn more about the NFCA.

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USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 7

The top high school softball teams in the country as of April 15.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Perennial power Neshoba Central continued to win and remained No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll for a second-straight week.

The (18-0) Rockets scorched the scoreboard for 48 runs over the past week, while only allowing five, and are back in action today with a game against Holmes County Central.

The rest of the top 10 also kept rolling, collecting 17 wins combined. No. 4 Lakewood Ranch (19-2) and seventh-ranked Leander (29-0) led the way with three victories apiece. In fact, none of teams in an unchanged first 15 lost.

Speaking of teams on a roll, three undefeated squads joined the rankings this week. Ohio’s Keystone (11-0), which won the 1,000th game in its program’s storied history, is the new No. 16 team, while Utah’s Spanish Fork (17-0) and Idaho’s Rocky Mountain (14-0) check in at 18th and 19th, respectively.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches 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. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – April 15, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 18-0 – PR: 1

2. Lake Creek (Texas): 28-0 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 32-2-1 – PR: 3

4. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 19-2 – PR: 4

5. Park Vista (Fla.): 17-0 – PR: 5

6. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 19-0 – PR: 6

7. Leander (Texas): 29-0 – PR: 7

8. Clear Springs (Texas): 22-0 – PR: 8

9. Los Alamitos (Calif.): 8-0 – PR: 9

10. Barbe (La.): 25-2 – PR: 10

11. St. Amant (La.): 23-2 – PR: 11

12. Bob Jones (Ala.): 24-3 – PR: 12

13. Norco (Calif.): 7-1 – PR: 13

14. Marist (Ill.): 1-0 – PR: 14

15. New Palestine (Ind.): 3-0 – PR: 15

16. Keystone (Ohio): 11-0 – PR: NR

17. Eastern Alamance (N.C.): 8-0 – PR: 17

18. Spanish Fork (Utah): 17-0 – PR: NR

19. Rocky Mountain (Idaho): 14-0 – PR: NR

20. Crown Point (Ind.): 5-1 – PR: 18

21. Barbers Hill (Texas): 25-2 – PR: 19

22. Alvin (Texas): 19-3 – PR: 20

23. Spain Park (Ala.): 24-5 – PR: 21

24. Trenton (Fla.): 13-1 – PR: 22

25. O’Connor (Ariz.): 8-2 – PR: 25

Dropped out:

Sickles (Fla.)

Cooper City (Fla.)

Chino Hills (Calif.)

Learn more about the NFCA.

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