Florida’s American Heritage High and Nevada’s Bishop Gorman High held on to the top two spots in PG Crosschecker’s national high-school rankings all of 2008, but so far in 2009 there has been a change at the top of the rankings in each of the first three PG Crosschecker rankings.

With Bishop Gorman, No. 1 to start the season but now No. 13, and Tennessee’s seventh-ranked Farragut High (12-2), which rose to No. 1 in the first in-season ranking, stumbling to start the season, California’s Jesuit High has taken over the top spot in the nation. The Marauders (8-1) return plenty of talent from the team that won a sectional championship in 2008, including six seniors who have committed to NCAA Division I programs.

Oregon State-bound C Andrew Susac (.464-1-9) and IF Dan Hayes (.636-2-6) lead a potent offensive attack, but pitching has been the strong point in the early going. Jesuit sports an impressive team ERA of 0.95 though 10 games, with seniors Brock Simon (4-0, 0.00, 22 IP) and Alex Plog (3-0, 0.93) leading the way.

Bishop Gorman (8-3) started the year as the top-ranked team in the country but was slow out of the gate, dropping three of its first four games. The Gaels dropped their season opener against Nevada’s Silverado High (8-4), before falling to Arizona powerhouses Horizon High (11-4), the 2007 national champion, and 23^rd-ranked Brophy Prep (12-3) at the Big League Dugout Invitational in Scottsdale, Ariz.

While Bishop Gorman has had a tough start, it is still very much in the picture to repeat as a national champion. The team’s offense, as expected, is putting up huge numbers with a team batting average of .437. Senior 1B/LHP Jeff Malm (.611-4-21; 1-1, 1.00), senior OF Joey Rickard (.543-2-20), junior IF Johnny Field (.486-3-12), junior C Neil Lawhorn (.581-0-14) and senior RHP Stephen Manthei (3-1, 0.89) have all started off strong for Bishop Gorman.

California: Jesuit Ascends To Top

While Carmichael’s Jesuit High has moved to the top spot in the national rankings, fifth-ranked Monte Vista High (6-1) could also make a claim as being the top team in Northern California. Entering the 2009 season, the Mustangs pitching staff was expected to be strong and it has done little to disappoint so far. Monte Vista has posted a team ERA of 1.00 though seven games with seniors Christian Jones (2-0, 0.35, 20 IP) and Steven Swift (2-0, 1.75) anchoring the pitching staff in the early going. Offensively, the Mustangs have been led by senior OF Joey Wagman (.625), junior 3B Brian Beaman (.474) and junior SS Taylor Prentice (.533).

--With perennial power Rancho Bernardo High down in talent in recent years, 11^th-ranked Cathedral Catholic (8-1) has emerged as the prep power in the San Diego area. Senior SS Tommy Cheek (.424-1-17) and senior OF Tyler Gaffney (.478-1-8) lead a potent offensive attack that has six seniors who have committed to Division I programs, not to mention a host of talented underclassmen.

--Considered one of the most talented teams in Southern California, 19^th-ranked El Toro High (8-2) had high expectations this season with a trio of high-level prospects. Senior IF Nolan Arenado (.553-1-10), senior RHP Chad Thompson (4-0, 0.27) and senior LHP Aaron Wirsch (4-0, 0.95) are all of to strong starts, and are all potential early-round picks in June.

--22^nd-ranked Norco High (5-2) is a contender to win a CIF sectional championship this year as it has a pair of Cal State Fullerton-bound two-way players in RHP/1B Matt Hobgood (4-0, 0.30; .536-4-9) and RHP/SS Wes Hatton (2-0, 1.91; .533-1-9) leading the way, both on the mound and at the plate. Hobgood has reportedly been as high as 95 mph in early outings, and has a chance to work his way into the first round.

Florida: Tampa’s Jesuit On A Roll

--While California’s Jesuit High has taken over the top spot in the nation, Tampa’s 16^th-ranked Jesuit High (17-0) is also having a big year. The Tigers, more of a traditional national power than the other Jesuit High, have posted a .413 team batting average in their first 17 games, with seniors Joe Hudson (.533-2-19), Greg Dupell (.478-5-27), Nick Lockwood (.463-5-23) and Austin Hartzler (.444-3-21) all having big seasons. Junior Alex Bacon (.447-3-9) and freshman Lance McCullers (.474-3-21), son of the former big leaguer, are also having big offensive years, while the pitching staff is led by a trio of juniors in Daniel Gibson (5-0, 1.19), Willi Martin (6-0, 1.35) and Matt Ina (4-0, 2.51).

--While the 17^th-ranked Pendleton School (18-0) does not compete in an official classification in Florida, the Panthers nonetheless feature one of the state’s most talented teams. Miami-bound C J.R. Murphy (.593-5-40) is having a huge senior season, while senior RHP/OF Blaze Tart (5-0, 1.62; .478-4-20), a UNC Wilmington recruit, and junior RHP Casey Mulholland (4-0, 1.52, 1 SV) are also having big years for the Bradenton-based school, which is affiliated with IMG golf and tennis academies.

--Sarasota High routinely competes for state championships, so 45^th-ranked Cardinal Mooney (15-3) of Sarasota could easily get overlooked in its home town. Senior RHP/SS Michael Heller (3-1, 1.96; .452-3-7) has reportedly touched 97 mph this year, and is working his way close to the first round of this year’s draft. Other players having big years for the Cougars include senior SS/RHP Tommy Goodman (.473-3-22; 3-0, 0.55, 2 SV), senior OF Nick Conforti (.511-1-15) and junior RHP Ryan Heuler (3-1, 1.27, 1 SV).

Around The Nation

--When assessing favorites to win the Texas 4-A state championship, the conversation usually starts and stops in Corpus Christi. A total of 2,700 fans were on hand March 21 to see 15^th-ranked Moody High (18-1) take on 30^th-ranked and arch-rival Calallen High (18-2) at Whataburger Field, home of the Double-A Texas League’s Corpus Christi Hooks. Moody came out on top, 7-4, in a matchup that featured the previous two 4-A state champions. In 2007, more than 18,000 fans attended a three-game series between the two teams, including a Moody win over Calallen on its way to a state championship.

--With perennial Arizona power Chaparral High (6-10) having a very rough start to the 2009 season, 12^th-ranked Notre Dame Prep (11-0) looks like the team to beat in the chase for the Arizona 4-A championship. Senior 3B Drew Ozanne (.500-2-6), senior LHP/1B Jordan Luvisi (3-0, 2.62; .467-3-9) and senior 2B Nick Barber (.481) are all having big years for the Saints.

--The 2009 Anderson Bat National Classic is once again shaping up to be the top high-school tournament in the country. It will take place from April 13-16 in Orange County in Southern California. Eight teams that are currently ranked in PG Crosschecker’s Top 50 will be in the field, as well as a strong contingent of local schools. Top-ranked Jesuit High, No. 3-ranked Don Bosco Prep of New Jersey and No. 8-ranked Mater Dei, a local school, will headline this year’s field.