High School Softball - Who are the teams to watch?

[4girlsmom]

Who will be the top schools to watch in Los Angeles County,
The Inland Empire and Orange County? And..why?

I would appreciate input. I realize high school softball is
a different "animal", but there must be a few teams to keep
an eye on. I am actually looking forward to a slower pace.

[Mr. Wonderful]

Here is what ESPN thinks. So Cal are included.
http://rise.espn.go.com/softball/articles/2011/01/FAB-50-Preview-2.aspx?pursuit=Softball

[4girlsmom]

Thank you Mr. Wonderful.

Will Carlos Arias be back on this site with updates?
I would like to hear from Carlos this season.

Thanks.

[anonlooker]

Here are the teams playing in Faster to First, most of the teams from CA are very strong (more info see link)
http://www.eteamz.com/Canyonfastertofir ... cat=485194

On the website they claim 15 of the top 20 in the CA preseason poll are represented, but I can't seem to locate the preseason poll itself.

HIGH SCHOOL & FAB 50 RANKING COACHES____
1. Valencia #22 Valencia, Ca. Donna Lee
2. Canyon #19 Anaheim, CA . Dan Hay
3. Norco #2 Norco, CA. Rick Robinson
4. Ayala Chino Hills, CA. John Ameluxen
5. Pacifica #40 Garden Grove, CA. Mark Campbell
6. Sheldon #4 Sacramento, CA. Mary Jo Truesdale
7. Alexander Central North Carolina Monte Sherrill
8. El Modena #27 Orange, CA. Steve Harrington
9. Alvin Texas Carla Newsome
10. St Francis Honolulu, HI Mark Glushenko
11. Piedra Vista #40 Farmington, NM Kevin Werth
12. Cienega Vail, AZ Eric Tatham
13. Pleasant Grove #3 Elk Grove, CA. Chris Murray
14. Carson Carson, CA. Cam Warner
15. Etiwanda #6 Etiwanda, CA. Dave Masucci
16. Riverside Poly #11 Riverside, CA. Vanessa Czarnecki
17. Carl Sandburg Illinois Jim Fabianski
18. Stockdale Bakersfield, CA. Amanda Hockett
19. El Toro El Toro, CA. Jim Daugherty
20. Elmwood Park Illinois Erica Hanrahan
21. Esperanza Yorba Linda, CA. Ed Tunstall
22. Marina Huntington Beach, CA Shelly Luth
23. Oxnard Oxnard, CA. Paul Tinoco
24. Simi Valley Simi Valley, CA. Russ Michael
25. Sunnyslope Arizona Michael Fenton
26. Sunrise Mountain Arizona Nick Rizer
27. Ursuline New York John/Kelly Pirone
28. Freedom California Jeff Jonas
29. Clackamas Oregon Dom Giancola
30. Sanford West Hanford, Ca. Jeff Harger

PAST FASTER TO FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
2008 - PENBROOK PINES HS (2) VS. SHELDON HS (0)
2009 - SHELDON HS (2) VS. CANYON HS (0)
2010 - AYALA HS (1) VS. CANYON HS (0)

[Fastpitch4Life]

Who will be the top schools to watch in Los Angeles County,
The Inland Empire and Orange County? And..why?

I would appreciate input. I realize high school softball is
a different "animal", but there must be a few teams to keep
an eye on. I am actually looking forward to a slower pace.

Both Chino Hills schools - Ayala and Chino Hills High will be hard to beat again this year.

[watchtonsofsoftball]

Im a Nor Cal honk(Sac/Elk Grove) so I'm pulling for Pleasant Grove, Sheldon or Elk Grove. ESPN has Pleasant Grove as a favorite again this year after a disappointing season last year where the hitting let that team down. A year later I think they are stronger and with Ally(US Junior olympics), runs are tough to come by. New coach/catcher this year too, leaving some doubts as last years catcher was best offensive player on a subpar hitting team. Sheldon probably has an outside chance as they have a good hitting team. Not sure if the pitching is strong enough but may be best offensive team in the tournament. Several D1 commits on that team (5?). Elk Grove has an outside chance as well. One of the best pitchers in the area, but offense is a question mark. Lost a few key players. One of the stronger freshmen classes in our area. Most of their infield will be a whole new look so only time will tell. Elk Grove finished #7 last year on Fab 50, so if the new players can get it together quick, they could do well as well. Not familiar with how much offense they will have after losing 2 key offensive players. They still have 2 all-state players.

[watchtonsofsoftball]

I see Ayala from Chino Hills but I dont see Chino Hills High. They didnt make it in?

[Fastpitch4Life]

I see Ayala from Chino Hills but I dont see Chino Hills High. They didnt make it in?

No, they won't be rated, but ended high in CIF playoffs and will likely be better. Good pitching and solid bats. Since the original poster specified certain geographic areas, (and being a homer), I included them

[4girlsmom]

[quote="anonlooker"]Here are the teams playing in Faster to First, most of the teams from CA are very strong (more info see link)
http://www.eteamz.com/Canyonfastertofir ... cat=485194


I appreciate the link. I notice that 4 teams in ESPN's top 10 will be at Faster to
First...Has there been an update as to anymore teams coming? Or is
the Faster to First a non-invitational, set amount of teams?

I'll be in HB to watch.

Please keep posting about the different high schools..great info!

[watchtonsofsoftball]

The Faster to First is Invitational only. I will also be looking for updates on this tourney as it goes down. Not ambitious enough to go down there without a kid playing.