The MaxPreps National Player of the Year watch list showcases 13 players
who have exhibited absolute dominance for their respective high school
softball programs in 2024.
The high school postseason has begun in several states, while the rest are in the thick of the regular season. Enough games have been played to give us an idea of who the front runners are for MaxPreps' top honor.
The key factors in determining the country's most
prestigious individual begin with success on the field. Winning plays a
crucial role in the selection
process. Statistical information provided to MaxPreps also is used to determine the final award. Individual
performance and the level of competition also are criteria considered.
It's important to note this is merely
a watch list, no decisions have been made at this point. If you believe
there is a player worthy of consideration for this list or any other
MaxPreps postseason honors, please send an email to
steve.montoya@paramount.com.
Now, let's look closer at the leading contenders for the MaxPreps National Player of the Year, presented in alphabetical order.
Ansley Bennett,
Summerville (S.C.)The junior has the Lady Wave primed for another state title run. The South Carolina commit has been dominant at the dish and in the circle. The team has not allowed a run in 10-straight games as they close out the regular season.
The UCLA commit passed 250 strikeouts in a season for the third-straight year. The junior can hit too, batting .486 with 10 home runs leading the Bulls to a 23-0 record.
The Warriors squad is a talented group and it all begins with the Michigan State commit. The senior ace is 17-0 with a 0.25 ERA and has allowed three earned runs in 84 innings. She joins
Jordyn Wycuff,
Cortney Dobbs and the entire team hoping to finish off the season with a state title.
She's 20-0 and has allowed just five earned runs in 140 innings. The Florida State commit has struck out 332 batters, which leads the state.
Cameryn Harrison,
Katy (Texas)The Arkansas commit leads a loaded Tiger team, which sits at No. 1 in the MaxPreps Top 25. The right-handed ace can do it all. She's batting .539 with eight home runs and the senior is also 17-0 in the circle with a 0.74 ERA. Opponents are hitting just .086 against her. The staff of Harrison,
Ella-Kate Smith and
Lauryn Soeken might be the toughest to hit against in the nation.
The Southern Mississippi commit does just about everything for the Cougars. She can swing it, batting .556, and is also the team's ace. The senior is 16-0 with a 0.58 ERA and has mowed down 145 batters.
The Patriots' ace has tossed seven no hitters and 13 shutouts in 2024. The LSU commit eclipsed the 1,000 career strikeout mark.
It's early in the season, but Lane and the Wolverines have already made their presence felt. The team has allowed one run in 12 games. The senior is 10-0 with 0.00 ERA. She has 132 strikeouts in 57 innings. She can hit too, batting .513 with five home runs.
All the Virginia commit does is win. The junior ace has helped her team win 91-straight games as they seek a fourth-straight state title. The Galloping Ghosts have not allowed a run in seven of their first 10 games.
Her
ERA sits at a 0.10 after allowing one earned run this season. The
Florida commit has 17 strikeouts in 71.2 innings and looks to end her career with back-to-back state
titles.
The Florida commit is one of the top hitters in the entire country. The senior, facing elite competition in Southern California, has hit 18 home runs and has an eye-popping .719 on-base percentage. The lefty has been walked 18 times has only struck out once in 89 plate appearances.
Another Arkansas commit on the list who can flat out smash. The outfielder leads the country with 22 home runs. She has done this while still being walked 28 times. The senior has 65 RBI and is batting .583 for one of the top-ranked teams in Louisiana.
Brianne Weiss,
Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)The Notre Dame signee brings it as a left-handed power pitcher for the Lancers. The senior has a 0.51 ERA and 206 strikeouts in 109 innings. She'll finish her career with well over 700 career strikeouts and at least six no-hitters in an area filled with great hitters.
