The Alabama Sports Writers Association released its last set of high school softball rankings Thursday morning.
The good news about these is that they ultimately have no bearing on the final results of the season. With the regular season concluding over the next few days, all of the area tournaments will take place between May 1 and May 5.
A few of my thoughts with this final set of rankings:
Thompson has been the clear favorite in Class 7A all season.
Beyond Thompson, 7A is an absolute toss-up. Lots of pretty solid teams.
Hartselle, Saraland and Wetumpka all have legitimate arguments to be No. 1. I call them “T-1” as a group.
It’s awesome to see Oak Mountain and Homewood ranked for the first time in many years.
Yes, it’s still Orange Beach and everyone else in 4A.
I’ve been extremely impressed with how Hackleburg has performed this year. Last season seemed like “the year,” but they have come back seemingly just as strong.
Skyline isn’t in the others nominated category of Class 1A, but the Vikings will enter the postseason as the best 13-27-2 team you’ve ever seen.
CLASS 7A
1. Thompson (35-1-2)
2. Hewitt-Trussville (35-7-1)
3. Vestavia Hills (31-5)
4. Daphne (29-11)
5. Enterprise (32-7-1)
6. Fairhope (19-7-1)
7. Auburn (25-8)
8. Oak Mountain (16-12)
9. Austin (27-15)
10. Huntsville (26-16)
Others nominated: Baker (26-15-2), Central-Phenix City (21-15), Dothan (26-13), Hoover (26-12-1), Opelika (19-15), Prattville (23-13), Sparkman (18-12).
CLASS 6A
1. Hartselle (29-5-1)
2. Saraland (34-5-1)
3. Wetumpka (35-5)
4. Spanish Fort (32-11-1)
5. Hazel Green (32-13-1)
6. Cullman (35-7-1)
7. Helena (20-11)
8. Homewood (22-5)
9. Athens (23-14-2)
10. Chelsea (22-15-2)
Others nominated: Baldwin Co. (18-15), Chilton Co. (14-14-1), Gardendale (24-14), Gulf Shores (19-14), McAdory (23-9-2), Mortimer Jordan (16-21-1), Oxford (16-12), Pell City (21-13-2), Pike Road (21-11), Rehobeth (20-15), Spain Park (22-14).
CLASS 5A
1. Houston Academy (26-6)
2. Boaz (31-5)
3. Northside (33-8-1)
4. Lawrence Co. (32-7-1)
5. Springville (22-6-1)
6. Moody (21-12)
7. Corner (24-12)
8. Faith Academy (19-12)
9. Hayden (23-12)
10. Ardmore (23-19-1)
Others nominated: Andalusia (20-10-2), Beauregard (23-15), Brewbaker Tech (13-7), East Limestone (19-13), Lincoln (20-15-1), Scottsboro (22-14-1), Shelby Co. (20-6), St. Clair Co. (16-14-1).
CLASS 4A
1. Orange Beach (31-1)
2. West Limestone (27-2)
3. Deshler (35-12)
4. Plainview (31-8)
5. Alexandria (29-10)
6. Madison Co. (29-9)
7. American Christian (25-11)
8. Curry (23-12-1)
9. Central-Florence (36-5)
10. Prattville Christian (19-6)
Others nominated: Ashville (23-13-2), Cherokee Co. (20-13), Etowah (20-10), Munford (27-10), North Jackson (19-14-1), Satsuma (21-13-2), Straughn (22-8-1), Tallassee (14-10), West Morgan (22-17), White Plains (22-17).
CLASS 3A
1. Saint James (25-4-1)
2. Colbert Co. (37-7)
3. Glenwood (20-10)
4. Wicksburg (27-13)
5. Ohatchee (27-9)
6. Colbert Heights (26-9)
7. Madison Academy (15-7)
8. Winfield (28-12)
9. Slocomb (17-10-1)
10. Cottage Hill (16-13)
Others nominated: Childersburg (21-17), Collinsville (17-16), Dadeville (14-8), Lee-Scott (14-10), Randolph Co. (18-7), Thomasville (22-10).
CLASS 2A
1. J.U. Blacksher (23-6)
2. Lamar Co. (30-9-2)
3. West End (24-6)
4. Pike Liberal Arts (18-6-2)
5. Pisgah (22-13)
6. Southeastern (19-12)
7. Sand Rock (20-15)
8. Horseshoe Bend (18-10)
9. Sumiton Christian (19-16-1)
10. North Sand Mountain (18-14-1)
Others nominated: G.W. Long (19-15-1), Pleasant Valley (18-20), Washington Co. (14-10).
CLASS 1A
1. Hackleburg (33-9-1)
2. Kinston (22-11)
3. Maplesville (24-13-1)
4. Meek (19-6)
5. Leroy (20-6-1)
6. Ider (20-11)
7. Florala (16-8-1)
8. Woodland (13-9-1)
9. Lynn (15-11)
10. Brantley (12-11-2)
Others nominated: Athens Bible (14-12), Holy Spirit (12-12-2), Jacksonville Christian (14-2), Red Level (13-8), Shoals Christian (20-12-1).
AISA
1. Bessemer Academy (31-2)
2. Chambers Academy (28-6)
3. Crenshaw Christian (26-2)
4. Clarke Prep (25-10)
5. Hooper (13-12)
Others nominated: None.