LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Back-to-back Mississippi state champion Northwest Rankin finishes the spring season as the No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.
The (34-0) Cougars completed their undefeated season on May 16 with a second-straight victory over Hernando in the Class 7A championship series. The final 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.
Northwest Rankin overcame Texas’ Katy (39-3-1) for the top spot on May 30 and held that distinction for the final five weeks. Katy spent eight weeks at No. 1 after California’s Pacifica (27-2) ceded that spot to the Tigers in week five.
More than half of the teams in the final 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.
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.
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 — Final Rankings
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.
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!
