Best 2012 high school softball team in each state

Some of them are easy to figure out. The top team in Texas is obviously The Woodlands as it sits atop the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Preseason National Rankings.

Determining the top team from each of the states that play spring softball is not so simple. The one theme that kept popping up, however, was the continued dominance of state championship teams. A total of 27 teams in the following list won state titles last year and, by our measure, should do so again this season.

Here's a look at MaxPreps' picks for the top softball team in each state.

Alabama - Dothan
The defending 6A state champions return All-Super State pitcher Kasey Cooper and all-state selections Denise Anderson at catcher and Toni Anderson at first base.

Alaska - West (Anchorage)
The Eagles won their first state championship last year with 10 players who were either sophomores or freshmen, including Pauline Tufi, who picked up the win in the championship game against Dimond.

Arizona - Red Mountain (Mesa)
Behind two of the top young pitchers in the state, Breana Macha (21-4) and Siera Phillips, the Mountain Lions begin the season ranked No. 13 in the Xcellent 25 Preseason National Softball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

Arkansas - Bryant
The Hornets graduated just two players off a team that won its second-straight state championship last season. Jessie Taylor leads the way after batting .485 with 12 home runs last year.

California - Archbishop Mitty (San Jose)
The Monarchs should be the top team in California thanks to the return of all-state pitcher Vanessa Alvarez and MaxPreps Freshman All-American Jazmyn Jackson in the outfield.

Connecticut - Bristol Central
All-state pitcher Emily Cintorino gives Bristol Central the best hurler in the state and makes it the favorite for a state title.

Delaware - Caravel (Bear)
A bunch of talented all-state picks return for the defending state champs, including pitcher Carolyn Szymanski, outfielder Emily Neal, catcher Becky Notte, and second baseman Caroline Reid.

Florida - Gulliver Prep (Miami)
A ton of talent returns for Gulliver Prep, including MaxPreps All-American Christina Gabriele and hard-hitting Dominique Grossman.

Hawaii - Punahou (Honolulu)
Punahou is a powerhouse in nearly every sport and softball is no different. The return of all-state pitcher Jaci Young and all-state infielder Mysha Sataraka makes the Buff N' Blue the favorites.

Idaho - Lake City (Coeur d'Alene)
The 5A state champions will make another run at the title with the state's best player, Casey Stangel, returning for her junior season.

Illinois - Moline
The defending champs will have an impressive defense, led by All-Quad Cities picks Brittny Drish (SS), Kaitlyn Knary (OF) and Jordan De Los Reyes (3B).

Indiana - Avon
Last year's 4A runners-up return all but two players from last year's squad, including pitchers Haleigh Chasteen (16-2) and Lizzy Snodgrass (10-5).

Iowa - Des Moines East
Iowa Pitcher of the Year Riley Fisher returns to help lead Des Moines East to potential back-to-back state 4A championships.

Kansas - Olathe East
Olathe East is loaded with returning all-state honorees, including pitcher Jenni Brooks, catcher Samantha Olson, outfielder Kiki Stokes and utility Allison Stewart.

Kentucky - Allen County (Scottsville)
The defending state champions return with the state's top player in pitcher Kelsi Pardue.

Louisiana - Hahnville (Boutte)
Hahnville won the state title last year behind the play of pitcher Hannah Haydel and infielder Courtney Dutreix, both of whom return for their senior seasons.

Maine - Scarborough
Scarborough won its third state title in five seasons last year and returns all-state pitcher Mo Hannan (10-1, 0.18 ERA, 142 Ks, 78 IP) and all-state freshman infielder Alyssa Williamson (.412, 7 HR).

Maryland - Chesapeake (Baltimore)
An undefeated season eluded Chesapeake, as it lost in the state championship game. However the team has a number of experienced players returning, including Baltimore Sun All-Metro picks Kim Federowicz, Jacqueline Richards and Olivia Ravadge in the infield.

Massachusetts - King Philip Regional (Wrentham)
Two straight state championships could lead to a third thanks to the return of All-Scholastic pitcher Meg Rico, who had 19 strikeouts in last year's state championship game.

Michigan - Mattawan
The defending state champions had several solid young players last season, including returning junior all-state pick Sarah Johnson at third base and senior all-state catcher Loren Nagy.

Minnesota - North (North St. Paul)
Many of the state's top pitchers have graduated, but North St. Paul returns one of the best in all-state pick Carley Pickett. She's joined by another all-state pick in infielder Jamie Fleischacker.

Mississippi - Newton County (Decatur)
The Cougars did not have a senior on the roster last year and yet won a 4A state championship. All-State players Emily Davis and Shelby Bishop return for a run at back-to-back titles.

Nevada - Damonte Ranch (Reno)
The state's top returning pitcher, Kalyn Paque, returns for her junior season after going 24-6 last year. She's joined by fellow junior and all-state selection Chanel Bates (IF).

New Hampshire - Alvirne (Hudson)
After winning the first girls sport state title in several decades, Alvirne is primed to repeat after losing just one senior and returning Gatorade State Player of the Year Taylor Carbone.

New Jersey - Robbinsville (N.J.)
Although it played in a lower enrollment group, Robbinsville was considered the state's top team last year. All-State pitcher Lauren Fischer returns after going 23-0 last season.

New Mexico - Volcano Vista (Albuquerque)
The defending 5A state champion is the favorite as it returns all-state picks Kelsey Stevens (P), Katera Eltsosie (P), Jade Bernal (C) and Marley Pinon (OF).

New York - Cicero-North Syracuse (Cicero)
Although upset in the state AA championship game by John Jay, Cicero-North Syracuse was one of top teams in the state all season long and it returns All-Central New York selections Sydney Harbaugh (2B) and Brittany Paul (1B).

North Carolina - Alexander Central (Taylorsville)
The Cougars have one of the nation's best pitchers in Chelsea Wilkinson, a two-time winner of the Gatorade State Player of the Year award.

North Dakota - West Fargo
The defending state champions return one of the state's top players in all-state pitcher Brook Rheault.

Ohio - Keystone (La Grange)
Nearly every player returns for a team that fell just short of winning a state championship last year. All-state pitcher Kenzie Conrad and shortstop Erin Pond lead the way.

Oregon - North Medford
After falling one game short of a state championship last season, North Medford returns one of the state's top players in all-state honoree Sierra Berryessa (OF).

Pennsylvania - Hatboro-Horsham (Horsham)
Although it will miss Southeastern Pennsylvania Player of the Year Julie Wambold, pitcher Maggie Shaffer returns for Hatboro-Horsham after pitching every game during last season's state championship run.

Rhode Island - Mount St. Charles Academy (Woonsocket)
Shortstop Emily Hendricks, pitcher Olivia Hendricks and outfielder Taylor Messier form a solid nucleus for a team that finished second in last year's Division I championship game.

South Carolina - Mann (Greenville)
Leslie Jury led Mann to three straight state championships, but she has graduated and headed off to Alabama. Still, Mann begins the season ranked No. 1 in the state by the South Carolina Coaches Association.

Tennessee - Riverdale (Murfreesboro)
The Warriors have one of the nation's top strikeout pitchers in Rachel Albritton, who fanned 488 batters last year. Only four players graduate from a team that won 47 games last year.

Texas - The Woodlands
The Highlanders start the season ranked No. 1 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Preseason Softball Rankings and will try for a second-straight Texas 5A state championship.

Utah - Spanish Fork
Although state MVP Lyndsey Healey has graduated from last year's 4A state title team, all-state players Kylee Wolfe (P), Kailey Christensen (P), McKinley Brinkerhoff (2B) and Kellie Hales (SS) return.

Vermont - Brattleboro
Kayla Wood returns for her junior year and all she has done is pitch Brattleboro to back-to-back Division I state championships.

Virginia - Lee-Davis (Mechanicsville)
Gatorade State Player of the Year Kelly Heinz is back after going 22-1 and leading Lee-Davis to a state championship last year. A total of six starters return for the Confederates.

Washington - Walla Walla
The winners of the 4A state championship last season, Walla Walla returns the state's top player in Gatorade State Player of the Year Alyson Ambler.

West Virginia - Lincoln County (Hamlin)
Winner of the AAA state championship last season, Lincoln County returns all-state pitcher Brooke West and all-state outfielder Aleks Lawson.

Wisconsin - Wilmot
The return of all-state pitcher Kristen Wood, along with all-conference players Kelli Hutchinson (IF), Kelsey Saucerman (IF) and Sarah Vozel (OF) could be just what Wilmot needs to lift it to a state championship after finishing second to Stevens Point last year.