Softball | General | 4/27/2022

HS Playoff Preview: Southwest

Jerry Miller

Photo: Perfect Game

Arizona

Arizona has been a sleeping giant of a softball state for quite some time. The Arizona Interscholastic Association has seen the number of schools and quality of play associated with its membership grow and improve markedly in recent years and this spring, the top clubs rival any in the country.

The AIA playoffs begin in earnest this weekend and carry through until champions are crowned at six different levels the second week in May. Championship contests are scheduled at the Rose Mofford Complex in Phoenix, Fiesta Sports Park in Mesa, and Alberta B. Farrington Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe.

Setting the pace this spring at the 1A level have been San Manuel, Superior, Bagdad, St. Michael’s, and Joseph City. There are certain to be other squads that can make a run over the course of the next few weeks, but the aforementioned have posted a lot of wins and appear ready for an extended run towards a championship.

River Valley (Mohave Valley), Benson, Round Valley (Eager), Santa Cruz (Eloy), and Kingman Academy are setting the pace this spring in the 2A division. This wide open conference also features Northland Prep Academy (Flagstaff), Morenci, and Wilcox. The 2A level will certainly have fierce competition leading to an eventual champ.

At the 3A conference level, Sabino (Tucson), Winslow, Snowflake, Empire (Tucson) and Northwest Christian (Phoenix), are just a few of the teams having solid seasons. The 3A division will be hotly contested and it would not be surprising to see an upstart make their way to Greater Phoenix and into the winner’s circle.

The competition picks up a notch at the 4A level. Salpointe (Tucson), Canyon Del Oro (Tucson), Greenway (Phoenix), Paradise Honors (Surprise), and Sahuarita have set the standard this spring and will have a say as to which clubs reach the finals. The program that comes out on top of this division will have earned their championship.

Some of the very best softball in the state has been played at the 5A level this spring. The eventual champion will have the pride of knowing they played some of the top teams in the state and beat the best on the way to earning their gold trophy. Pacing the top 5A clubs in the Grand Canyon State are Willow Canyon (Surprise), Canyon View (Waddell), Desert Mountain (Scottsdale), Gilbert, and Cactus Shadows (Cave Creek). These clubs will be challenged along the way by an equal number of evenly talented clubs, as all battle for a trip to the state finals.

At the big school, 6A level, the competition will be fierce as a number of teams have the ability to win the AIA crown. Queen Creek, Perry (Gilbert), Xavier College Prep (Phoenix), Desert Vista (Phoenix), and Basha (Chandler) have had solid regular seasons and appear primed for a deep playoff run. There are several 6A clubs in the running for a trip to the championship and it would not be a stretch to see more than a few upsets as the Arizona Interscholastic Association playoffs conclude next month in Greater Phoenix.

New Mexico

The Land of Enchantment has seen a big surge in the level of fastpitch play over the past decade, and this spring the competition leading to championships at five different levels will be keen. The New Mexico Activities Association playoffs begin this week and conclude In Albuquerque, May 5-14.

At the A/2A level, Loving, Tularosa, Mesilla Valley Christian (Las Cruces), Northwest (Shiprock) and Santa Rosa, have all had outstanding seasons and will look to ride outstanding pitching, solid defense, and timely offense to the winner’s circle.

The 3A division has been paced all spring by some truly solid teams. Robertson (Las Vegas), Cobre (Bayard), Santa Fe Indian (Santa Fe), Dexter, and East Mountain (Sandia Park) have posted remarkable records this year and could be considered favorites heading into playoff season. They will be challenged along the way, but it would not be a stretch to see more than one of the top teams come out on top of this highly competitive conference.

The competitiveness and depth of ability picks up at the 4A level as Artesia, Gallup, Lovington, Silver (Silver City) and Bernalillo have all posted solid records this spring and appear poised and ready for a long tournament run.

Finally, the 5A division is paced by undefeated Carlsbad (20-0). Centennial (Las Cruces), Alamogordo, Cleveland (Rio Rancho), and Hobbs, as well as a number of others, will certainly try and put a dent in the Carlsbad armor. The 6A level will feature a number of top clubs and the fierce competition at the big school level should be noteworthy and memorable.

Nevada

The Nevada Interscholastic Athletics Association will award trophies to five champions from May 19-21. The 1A and 3A championships will be held in the Northern Region. The 1A games will be played at Damonte Ranch, while the 3A finals will be held in Fernley. The Southern Region will play host to the championship finals at the 2A, 4A, and 5A levels. These highly competitive divisions will play their final contests at the College of Southern Nevada and Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas.

Setting the pace all spring at the 1A level have been Oasis Academy (Fallon), Pahranagat Valley (Alamo), Wells, Smith Valley (Smith) and Coleville. The always entertaining and competitive 1A level will see a few upsets along the way as the drive to the gold trophy emblematic of a state championship will be fierce.

The 2A division has a number of teams that have posted solid records this year. Yerington, Pershing County (Lovelock), Needles, Battle Mountain, and White Pine (Ely), have set the pace this spring and appear locked in and ready for a drive to Vegas for the finals.

Fernley, at the 3A level, appears to be on a mission, and could possibly be a team of destiny, as the 3A championships will be held in their backyard. To reach the 3A finals, however, they will have to fend off the likes of Virgin Valley (Mesquite), Moapa Valley (Overton), Spring Creek, Lowry (Winnemucca) and a few others. The 3A conference playoffs could quite well be the most competitive level in the state.

At the 4A level, traditional power Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) has set the standard all spring. They, not unlike Fernley at the 3A level, could play the finals at their home park this May. Gorman appears to be focused on just that. BG will be challenged along the way by some solid foes that include Legacy North (Las Vegas), Silverado (Las Vegas), Southeast Career Tech (Las Vegas) and Cimarron Memorial (Las Vegas).

The 5A level will be interesting and challenging every step of the way. Whichever club comes out on top will be a deserving champion. Arbor View (Ely), Green Valley (Henderson), Douglas (Minden), Spanish Springs (Sparks), and Centennial (Las Vegas) have posted the top records this spring in the 5A conference. At this level, however, pitching will dominate. That fact makes for a tough run to the title, as any number of schools in this division could ride a talented arm all the way to the winner’s circle.

Colorado

The Colorado High School Athletic Association competes in the fall for their annual fastpitch championships at three different levels.

This past October saw a trio of very deserving schools hoist the championship banner at the 3A, 4A, and 5A levels.

In the 3A conference Lutheran High School from Parker posted a perfect 29-0 record in claiming the crown with 13-2 finals win over a talented University HS squad.

Broomfield Holy Name won their second 4A championship in the past three years over a game Mead High School club, 9-6.

At the 5A level, Legend High School from Parker, won their third crown in the past five years with an 8-0 shutout win over an equally tough Columbine High School team.

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