Feb 28 National Rankings

With the season underway in several southern states there has been some movement in the first update of the National Top 50 Rankings.

Tampa Jesuit maintained the top spot as they rolled to a 4-0 record in the very early going. Three highly ranked Florida teams lost for the first time, but retained their top 15 status with Gulliver Prep falling two spots to No. 6 after their loss to Coral Spring Charter, Archbishop McCarthy dropping a spot after their National Game of the Week loss to Columbus, and American Heritage fell four spots to No. 13 after a loss to Doral Academy.

Four Florida teams remained undefeated with Olympia jumping a couple of spots to No. 16, Columbus making the biggest leap of any team (15 spots) after their win over McCarthy, and Park Vista and Pace holding strong with a combined 8-0 record.

An early upset from preseason No. 4 Gulliver Prep (FL) opened the door for CC Carroll (TX) to move into the top five after a pair of emphatic victories to start the season. Fellow Corpus Christi power Calallen climbed three spots to No. 9 after an impressive 4-0 week.

Other movement from the Lone Star state includes a short drop for No. 20 Rockwall-Heath who slipped four spots after suffering a one-run loss in what was an otherwise impressive opening week (5-1). No. 35 Klein Collins fell five spots after going 4-2 to start the season, while Spring Branch Memorial climbed to No. 37 following a 5-1 week that was capped off with a dramatic win via walk-off Grand Slam by 1B Brock Davidson.

Georgia gets going full swing this week with Parkview and Brookwood getting into action. Columbus picking up a pair of wins and moved up two spots and Loganville rolled in their opening day win.

Two other states underway are Louisiana and Alabama. Louisiana power Barbe dropped a pair of games in the very competitive Zachary tournament without star SS Gavin Cecchini, and Alabama’s Russell County also lost a pair. Barbe is at No. 28 this week with Russell County at No.32.

Both of the Carolina’s get started this week and each have a team in the Top 50. Providence (NC) led by RHP Ty Buttrey is at No. 19 and Byrnes (SC) checks in at No. 24.

The state of Arizona appeared to be completely up for grabs heading into the season. One week in and 5-0 Horizon has pulled ahead of the pack by going 4-0 to open the season with wins over four impressive teams, including defending state champion Mountain Pointe. Horizon debuts at No. 21 and are joined in the rankings by No. 47 Brophy Prep, who is off to a 4-0 start of their own.

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PG National Top 50 Rankings