LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Lake Creek remained undefeated and topped the 2023 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 for the 18th straight week.
The defending Texas 5A state champion (24-0) Lions topped Magnolia 12-2 on Tuesday to extend their winning streak to 65. Lake Creek has now won 103 of 105 games over the past three seasons. The only losses during that stretch were a pair of losses (one in extra innings) to eventual state champion Barbers Hill in the best-of-three regional final in May 2021.
No. 2 Roncalli (Ind.) moved closer to its season opener, but still has to wait until April 4 for its home opener against Columbus North. Just below the Royals, Benton (6-1) and North Augusta (5-1) swapped the third and fourth spots this week, with undefeated Norco (11-0) of California and Los Alamitos (7-2) — which has just the loss of Norco — makes a big move up the rankings at #5 and #6 respectively.
The debut of perennial powers Norco and Los Alamitos slid down Neshoba Central (6-2) two spots to seventh, while Moorpark (9-0), St. Amant (21-1) and Willow Canyon (13-0-2) round out the adjusted top 10.
Brazoswood (18-5) and Santa Margarita (9-3-1) lost again this week to fall out of the poll.
State rankings presented by 2023 NFCA High School Management Committee are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are selected based on performance, roster quality, strength of schedule and active NFCA membership.
USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – March 23, 2023
1. Lake Creek (Texas)
Record: 24-0 | PR: 1
2. Roncalli (Indiana)
Record: 0-0 | PR: 2
3. Benton (Ark.)
Record: 6-1 | PR: 4
4. North Augusta (South Carolina)
Record: 5-1 | PR: 3
5. Norco (California)
Record: 11-0 | PR: NR
6. Los Alamitos (California)
Record: 7-2 | PR: NR
7. Neshoba Central (Miss.)
Record: 6-2 | PR: 5
8. Moorpark (California)
Record: 9-0 | PR: 7
9. St. Amant (La.)
Record: 21-1 | PR: 8
10. Willow Canyon (Arizona)
Record: 13-0-2 | PR: 9
11. Bentonville (Arkansas)
Record: 8-1 | PR: 10
12. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)
Record: 1-0 | PR: 11
13. Basha (Arizona)
Record: 9-1 | PR: 12
14. Salpointe Catholic (Arizona)
Record: 15-1 | PR: 13
15. West Johnston (North Carolina)
Record: 8-0 | PR: 14
16. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)
Record: 0-0 | PR: 15
17. Special Fork (Utah)
Record: 5-1 | PR: 19
18. Queen Creek (Arizona)
Record: 9-1-1 | PR: 20
19. Bend (Ore.)
Record: 3-2 | PR: 16
20. Redmond (Washington)
Record: 3-1 | PR: 17
21. Bingham (Utah)
Record: 3-2 | PR: 18
22. Lakewood Ranch (Florida)
Record: 8-3 | PR: 21
23. Immaculate Heart Academy (New Jersey)
Record: 0-0 | PR: 23
24. Donovan Catholic (NJ)
Record: 0-0 | PR: 24
25. Marist (Illinois)
Record: 1-0 | PR: 25
Dropped out: Brazoswood (Texas) and Santa Margarita (California).
Celebrating 40 years in 2023, the NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its vast library of digital education, NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches at various levels: from podcasts to extensive Awards and Scholarships platform, to NFCA Webinar and a National convention.