Norco, Katy on the rise in first regular season MaxPreps Top 25 high school softball rankings

By Steve Montoya Feb 25, 2025, 11:00am

Preseason No. 1 Orange Beach of Alabama opens season today.

The high school softball season is underway in Alabama, California, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas while several other states will get going this week. There was still enough action to produce some movement in this week's MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.

Katy (Texas) has already played 12 games and the Tigers have come out swinging, averaging over 10 runs per game. Oklahoma State commit Montgomery Henderson has already hit eight home runs in helping her team climb to No. 5.

Norco (Calif.) is a team on the rise at No. 6 overall. Head coach Rick Robinson picked up his 700th career win to start the year and the Cougars are off to a 5-0 start. Sophomore Coral Williams struck out 12 and allowed just two hits in a 1-0 win over No. 21 JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano) on Friday. Leighton Gray hit a solo shot in the sixth to secure the lead.

Northwest Rankin (Brandon, Miss.) has won 46 straight games and continues to dominate in 2025, earning a top 10 ranking this week. Senior Grace Wallis has struck out 19 over her first three games in the circle. The Cougars are seeking a third straight title this spring.



Bloomingdale (Valrico, Fla.) has scored at least 11 runs in each of its three games and moves up to No. 17. UCLA commit Natalie Cable has yet to allow a run in nine innings pitched.
In compiling a 12-0 record, No. 5 Katy has outscored opponents 126-7 thanks in part to the efforts of senior star Montgomery Henderson. (FILE PHOTO: Patricia Okelberry)
In compiling a 12-0 record, No. 5 Katy has outscored opponents 126-7 thanks in part to the efforts of senior star Montgomery Henderson. (FILE PHOTO: Patricia Okelberry)
MaxPreps Top 25 softball rankings

1. Orange Beach (Ala.)
Record: 0-0 | Preseason: No. 1
The defending national champions open the season today at Spanish Fort.

2. Melissa (Texas)
Record: 6-0 | Preseason: 2
Finlee Williams and Hutton Adrian have combined to hit 12 home runs and 19 hits in six games.

3. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
Record: 1-0 | Preseason: 3
Colby Reish had three hits, went deep and drove in four runs as the Eagles won 21-0 to start the season.

4. Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills, Calif.)
Record: 3-0 | Preseason: 4
Ellison Schroeder struck out 11 and tossed a no-hitter in a 2-0 win over Monterey Trail on Monday.

5. Katy (Texas)
Record: 12-0 | Preseason: 7
Ella Kate Smith, Lana Davis, Montgomery Henderson and Maddie Smith all went deep during a 12-1 win over Dawson on Friday.

6. Norco (Calif.)
Record: 5-0 | Preseason: 8
Peyton May mowed down 10 and Dakota Potter, Leighton Gray and Tamryn Shorter all went deep in a 5-0 win over Ganesha on Thursday.



7. Summerville (S.C.)
Record: 0-0 | Preseason: 5
Season begins in March.

8. Austintown-Fitch (Youngstown, Ohio)
Record: 0-0 | Preseason: 6
Season begins in March.

9. Northwest Rankin (Brandon, Miss.)
Record: 4-0 | Preseason: 27
Hannah Sullivan went deep and drove in three runs during a 6-0 win over Sumrall on Saturday.

10. Ridgeline (Millville, Utah)
Record: 0-0 | Preseason: 10
Season begins in March.

11. Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Record: 0-0 | Preseason: 11
Season begins Feb. 26.

12. Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.)
Record: 1-0 | Preseason: 13
Megan Villazon and Anabela Abdullah both hit jacks as the Firebirds blanked Florida Christian 10-0 on Wednesday.

13. Coahoma (Texas)
Record: 6-0 | Preseason: 14
Texas commits Mia Clemmer and Hannah Wells have started the season by combining for nine home runs and both batting above .700.



14. Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, La.)
Record: 5-0 | Preseason: 17
Kynzee Anderson hit two bombs and Loren Sivils went deep and drove in five runs during Monday's 12-0 win over Parkway.

15. Carterville (Ill.)
Record: 0-0 | Preseason: 15
Season begins in March.

16. Red Mountain (Mesa, Ariz.)
Record: 0-0 | Preseason: 15
Season begins Feb. 26.

17. Bloomingdale (Valrico, Fla.)
Record: 3-0 | Preseason: 28
Senior Paige Sanchez has six hits in 10 at bats to start the year, including a home run in a 13-2 win over Riverview.

18. Neshannock (New Castle, Pa.)
Record: 0-0 | Preseason: 18
Season begins in March.

19. St. John-Vianney (Holmdel, N.J.)
Record: 0-0 | Preseason: 19
Season begins in March.



20. Garner (N.C.)
Record: 0-0 | Preseason: 20
Season begins Feb. 25

21. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
Record: 4-1 | Preseason: NR
Junior Liliana Escobar has been impressive in the circle, recording 37 strikeouts in 19 innings of work. Sophomore Brooklyn Lamb is batting .462 with a home run to lead the Lions early on.

22. Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Record: 0-0 | Preseason: 22
Season begins Feb. 28

23. Canyon (Anaheim, Calif.)
Record: 2-0 | Preseason: NR
Mia Saenz hit a home run during the Comanches' 13-1 win over Segerstrom on Saturday.

24. Gaylord (Mich.)
Record: 0-0 | Preseason: 24
Season begins in March.

25. Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.)
Record: 0-0 | Preseason: 25
Season begins in March.



Next 25

26. Xavier College Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.)