Breaking News: The 2021 Extra Inning Softball National High School Rankings Begin! (Mar. 2, 2021)

Despite worldwide pandemics and record-setting weather storms, the high school softball season is underway in many states and we’re more than happy to get back into the team rankings business!

Our Carlos Arias is overseeing it and kicks it off in Week 1 with a look at those teams expected to go deep into the playoffs this season.

Here’s a look at the early Top 10:

Norco, CA, #1 in the Extra Elite High School Preseason Softball Rankings, from Riverside County in Southern California became eligible to compete under the state’s guidelines, so the Cougars will begin their season this week.

Norco won back-to-back CIF Southern Section Division 1 championships, arguably the toughest section in the country, in 2018 and 2019 and they should be the team to beat once again with a loaded lineup and Oregon-bound P Stevie Hansen, #6 in the 2021 Extra Elite 100, taking over as the ace in the circle.

#2 Lakewood Ranch, FL, looks like the team to beat in Florida with OF/SS Cassidy McLellan, #31 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100, SS/P Kelsey Vogel, #48 in the 2022 Extra Elite 100, and C/OF Gracie Hogie, #54 in the 2022 Extra Elite 100, in the lineup.

#3 Chino Hills, CA, is another loaded team from Southern California, and has been cleared for outdoor contact. The Huskies are led by Nebraska-bound Kendall Mangel, #30 in the 2021 Extra Elite 100, in the circle.

#4 Los Alamitos, CA, expects to play a role on the national scene with Oklahoma-bound C Sophia Nugent, #2 in the 2021 Extra Elite 100, and South Carolina-bound Emma Sellers, #25 in the 2021 Extra Elite 100, back to lead the way.

#5 Marist, IL, was expected to be top contenders for the Class 4A state title in 2020 after a Final Four finish in 2019. With Louisville-bound SS/UT Easton Lotus, #20 in the 2021 Extra Elite 100, and Boston College-bound P/OF Abby Dunning, #47 in the 2021 Extra Elite 100, returning, Marist should be a top contender in 2021.

#6 O’Connor, AZ, has Washington-bound MIF Rylee Holtorf, #2 in the 2021 Extra Elite 100 and the reigning Gatorade State Player of the Year, and Oklahoma-bound C Jocelyn Erickson, #8 in the 2021 Extra Elite 100, so they look like the top squad in Arizona.

#7 Santa Fe, TX, is the top-ranked public school in the Houston area according to VYPE Magazine.

#8 Crown Point, IN, has been a powerhouse this past decade and that shouldn’t change this season with Arizona-bound P Madi Elish, #21 in the 2021 Extra Elite 100, and Notre Dame-bound IF Anna Holloway, #32 in the 2021 Extra Elite 100, on the roster.

With San Diego State-bound southpaw Dee Dee Hernandez, a member of the Mexican National Team, in the circle, #9 Crescenta Valley, CA, can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the country.

With Louisiana Lafayette-bound Samantha Landry and Texas-bound Sophia Simpson, who are tied for #4 in the 2021 Extra Elite 100, in the circle, #10 Barbers Hill will be a force in Texas.

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Scroll down to see the complete list of teams we like in WEEK 1 of our rankings….

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