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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.).
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