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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Richard Suter

Opening 2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings

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!

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