High school softball rankings: Alabama's Thompson joins this week's MaxPreps Top 25 after capturing 7A title

More and more high school softball teams in the MaxPreps Top 25 will be crowned state champions with each passing weekend.

No. 7 Benton (Ark.) found itself back in the Class 5A state final with a chance for a repeat of not only a championship, but a second consecutive undefeated season. It took the Lady Panthers nearly 20 hours to complete the task after severe weather, but they got the job done, beating Greene County Tech 3-2 and capping their 64th consecutive win.

The Alabama 7A state champion has a case for the toughest path to a state title as they play over 50 games. Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) (44-8) took home its first state championship in 23 years after beating Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Ala.) 2-0. Class of 2023 Chalea Clemmons earned tournament MVP honors after throwing a complete-game shutout over the two-time defending champions.

Florida is down to its Final Four and the state's top two teams are on a collision course to meet in Saturday's finals. No. 9 Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton, Fla.) plays Western at 12:30 and directly following that game will be Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs, Fla.) and Park Vista at Legend's Way Ballfield. Lake Brantley joins this week's rankings at No. 25.

Teams that do not enter results and statistical information to MaxPreps make forming the rankings and highlighting players much more difficult.
MaxPreps Top 25 high school softball rankings

1. Roncalli (Indianapolis)
Record: 27-0 | Last week: 1
Tori Candler hit a home run and drove in four as the Royals beat Warren Central to begin 4A postseason play.

2. Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas)
Record: 37-0 | Last week: 2
The Lions rolled through Regional semifinal play, outscoring Friendswood 18-0 in two games. Next up is a potential trip to state if they can get past Santa Fe.

3. Patterson Mill (Bel Air, Md.)
Record: 20-0 | Last week: 3
After a 24-1 win, The Huskies now face Boonsboro for a chance to play for a 1A state title on Friday.

5. St. Amant (La.)
Record: 31-2 | Last week: 4
Season complete, Class 5A state champions

5 . Deer Park (Texas)
Record: 37-4 | Last week: 5
Reanna Nieman and Madison Applebe combined to throw a no hitter during the Lady Deer's 10-0 Regional semifinal win over Seven Lakes.

6. O'Connor (Helotes, Texas)
Record: 28-1 | Last week: 6
The Panthers are riding a 23-game win streak into their next playoff series against Weslaco.

7. Benton (Ark.)
Record: 32-0 | Last week: 7
Gracie Redmont knocked in the go-ahead run and Alyssa Houston was lights out in the circle during the Class 5A state title game.

8. Donovan Catholic (Toms River, N.J.)
Record: 24-0 | Last week: 8
A 10-0 win over Immaculata has the Griffins in Thursday's South Jersey, Non-Public A semifinals against Notre Dame.

9. Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton, Fla.)
Record: 26-2 | Last week: 9
The Mustangs are back in the state semifinals after Ella Dodge threw a complete-game shutout in a 2-0 win over Newsome.

10. Roosevelt (Eastvale, Calif.)
Record: 27-3 | Last week: 10
The Mustangs pulled out a late-game miracle as Emily Carr cleared the bases in the final inning to shock Los Alamitos 5-4 in the Southern Section Division 1 title.

11. Beaver (Pa.)
Record: 17-0 | Last week: 11
The Bobcats rolled Freeport 10-0 and now face Mountour in the third round of the Class 4A playoffs.

12. Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.)
Record: 27-2 | Last week: 12
Season complete, 4A state champions

13. Lexington (Tenn.)
Record: 43-1 | Last week: 13
Mykenzi Duke drove in three during the Tigers' 4-2 win over Creek Wood. Next up is 3A state tournament action starting Tuesday.

14. Anthony Wayne (Whitehouse, Ohio)
Record: 27-0 | Last week: 14
The Generals have scored 27 runs in two playoff games so far in Ohio Division 1 play.

15. Bend (Ore.)
Record: 24-1 | Last week: 15
The Lava Bears piled up 17 hits and Addisen Fisher threw a no-hit shutout in a 14-0 win over Franklin to begin the 6A playoffs.

16. Bullard (Texas)
Record: 36-2 | Last Week: 16
The Panthers square off with Melissa in a best-of-three series to see who advances to the 4A state tournament.

17. Triway (Wooster, Ohio)
Record: 26-1 | Last week: 17
The Titans have won both playoff games by the score of 10-0. Next up: Canfield on Wednesday.

18. Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.)
Record: 44-8 | Last week: NR
After more than 50 games, the Warriors got hot at the right time to capture the Alabama 7A state title

19. Riverton (Utah)
Record: 23-1 | Last week: 19
The Silverwolves begin 6A action against Weber on Wednesday.

20. Rockridge (Taylor Ridge, Ill.)
Record: 30-0 | Last week: 20
Payton Brown hit a home run and drove in three during the Rockets 8-1 2A Regional Championship on Friday.

21. Georgetown (Texas)
Record: 32-3 | Last week: 21
The Eagles swept a two-game series over Victoria West and now play Flour Bluff with a trip to state on the line.

22. Xavier College Prep (Phoenix)
Record: 24-5 | Last week: 22
Season complete, 6A state champions

23. North Augusta (S.C.)
Record: 31-2 | Last week: 25
The Yellowjackets pulled off two, one-run wins over Hartsville to keep their playoff run alive.

24. Eastern Alamance (Mebane, N.C.)
Record: 24-1 | Last week: 27
Makiya Graves has been a machine at the plate for the Eagles all season. She is batting .512 with nine home runs and looks to continue her hot play in 3A Final Four play.

25. Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs, Fla.)
Record: 24-4 | Last week: NR
Senior Hannah Marien has allowed two earned runs all season and sits with a near flawless 0.10 ERA.
26. Watkins Memorial (Pataskala, Ohio)
27. John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.)
28. Los Alamitos (Calif.)
29. Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.)
30. Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Ala.)