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Softball
The Fan's Choices
Area's Top 10 - State's Best 5
If you haven't agreed with past rankings, here's your chance to give your view. The coaches weekly TOP 20 will be replaced with
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Class A
#7 on down can be interchanged with any of these teams: Anna-Jonesboro, Elverado, Norris City-Omaha-Enfield, Dongola, Carmi-White County, Columbia, Breese Mater Dei, Trenton Wesclin
It's a shame that Pinkneyville had to cancel their game scheduled with Johnston City in the last week of the regular season. Maybe they will get to play each other at the state tournament in Pekin. That would be nice for JC and P-ville to bring home the 1st & 2nd place trophies, respectively.
J.C. FAN -5/25/00
Class A
The moment of truth is here. Good Luck to all of the Southern Illinois teams. I think this area is in for some good softball competition. I know I am going to enjoy it.
Bruce Morneweg -5/18/00
Class A
Herrin proved that they are the best around by beating Johnston City at Johnston City (for the second time this year) and winning that tournament. Pinckneyville has had an awesome season behind Victoria Ramsey's pitching. Numbers 3-10 are all just about equal in talent and have been playing very well. Benton and Norris City have been two of the biggest surprises this year, and those two are likely to square off in the regional championship. Once again, with teams like these, the Deep South has shown itself to be the toughest, most competitive part of the state in softball.
A thumbs-up is also in order for Class AA Murphysboro, which has been playing some great softball lately. The Red Devils tied with Harrisburg for second in the SIRR-Ohio and look to repeat their Sweet 16 performance of a year ago. If this team was playing in the kind of media market that the Chicago-area AA teams get, they'd likely be in the Top 10 in the Class AA poll.
Now we get to see how correct the polls have been all season, though. Regionals start on Thursday. The verdict decided on the field will get the final say.
Jed Nelson -5/18/00
Class AA
Galesburg Rules!!!!
J -5/18/00
Class A
The moment of truth is here. Good Luck to all of the Southern Illinois teams. I think this area is in for some good softball competition. I know I am going to enjoy it.
Bruce Morneweg -5/16/00
Class A
Herrin proved that they are the best around by beating Johnston City at Johnston City (for the second time this year) and winning that tournament. Pinckneyville has had an awesome season behind Victoria Ramsey's pitching. Numbers 3-10 are all just about equal in talent and have been playing very well. Benton and Norris City have been two of the biggest surprises this year, and those two are likely to square off in the regional championship. Once again, with teams like these, the Deep South has shown itself to be the toughest, most competitive part of the state in softball.
A thumbs-up is also in order for Class AA Murphysboro, which has been playing some great softball lately. The Red Devils tied with Harrisburg for second in the SIRR-Ohio and look to repeat their Sweet 16 performance of a year ago. If this team was playing in the kind of media market that the Chicago-area AA teams get, they'd likely be in the Top 10 in the Class AA poll.
Now we get to see how correct the polls have been all season, though. Regionals start on Thursday. The verdict decided on the field will get the final say.
Jed Nelson -5/16/00
Class AA
Galesburg Rules!!!!
J -05/14/00
Class A
The Lady Indians are as good as any team in the south and better than most. I'm sure the next Herrin/J.C. matchup will prove to be another classic thriller. I'm sure also that nobody has a patent on the label "Deep South Fan", thank you.
A Deep South Fan -5/7/00
Class A
Can't believe Johnston City thinks there better than Herrin. Herrin beat you! Accept it! And stop using my name.
The real "Deep South Fan" -5/2/00
Class A
I would also consider the following teams tied for 8th: Carmi, West Frankfort, Du Quoin, Fairfield, Benton.
Deep South Fan -5/1/00
Deep South Fan -3/31/00
Good Luck to all on the 2000 season
P.C. Hawk -3/20/00
DuQuoin, Massac County, Benton and West Frankfort will also be good in the Deep South this year. Basically, the entire River to River Conference is going to be tough, as is the North Egypt. This is going to be another exciting year in the Deep South!
Jed Nelson -3/4/00
Lanark is not in the region but in our sectionals It's early but let's start having fun.
R.R. Dad -2/29/00
Lockport's Lindgren is unhittable this postseason. Lincoln Way, Minooka, and Plainfield are still great in my book.
I know the Lady Indians from Johnston City finished 3rd at the Illinois State Tournament but they are still the best Class A team in the state in my oppinion.
Nashville's Doehring and Harre combine to make the Hornettes the best around. Johnston City is good on the field, but their players and fans need to learn how to behave. Harrisburg and Herrin are both class acts. Elverado wins its first regional, while Edwards County and Vienna square off in the Carmi sectional. CWCHS has a great record and talent. Pinckneyville loses in the regional final, as does A-J, but both are strong programs.
Best Sectional Matchups pit Carrollton against Warrensburg-Latham and Mt. Zion against Casey-Westfield.
It's NEVER an upset when Pinkneyville beats anyone. The upset of the year was Nashville over Johnston City. I'd like to see that match up again, but N-ville can't beat Carrolton.
Three teams from the deep south are capable of winning state, and they are all in the same regional. Go figure.
Nashville beats overrated Johnston City 2-0. Herrin and Harrisburg played a great game: 1-0 in 9-innings. Carmi and Wesclin keep winning also. Sectional winners: at Carmi-Harrisburg or Herrin (tough choice). At New Athens: Nashville!!
Harrisburg is back on top this week after a no-hitter against Benton and after beating the 2nd-ranked Class AA team in Indiana (Evansville-Memorial). Herrin won the Massac County tournament and Carmi won its Invitational behind great pitching from Holly Shook. Johnston City picked up a conference win over 4-12 Zeigler-Royalton. Pinckneyville is coming off an upset win over Nashville and Anna-Jonesboro has been playing well.
Fans from unnamed Southern Illinois schools must be afraid of Harrisburg, why else would they keep mentioning Harrisburg in their essays. They should be afraid, the Lady Dogs have an excellent record against much tougher competition. Herrin is playing very well, winning the Massac Co. tournament, and Carmi has turned some heads lately as well.
Edwards County is playing some great softball, as is Pinckneyville. Nashville is very tough, but Harrisburg is the team to beat right now.
can anything BUT those be the top teams....is anyone playing regularly?
IHSA does it again, top 3 teams will play in the same regional. Sectional Previews: @ Carmi - Carmi, Edwards County, Johnston City, Anna-Jonesboro. @New Athens - Nashville, Pinckneyville, Columbia, Lebanon.
Dwight is only ranked #1 because of its record. Momence did split with Dwight. Beecher losses were to AA schools and a 2-1 loss to Illiana Christian early in the season.
Jed Nelson -4/10/99
It's still early, but these teams can play. Also look for Richards, Lyons Township and Providence
Harrisburg (6-0) beat Johnston City 4-3 on March 26 and then beat Herrin 1-0 on April 5. Both of last year's runners-up (Herrin was Class AA in 1998) defeated by the same team. That has to be worthy of a number one ranking.
Class A
thats all the teams that I know of right now
Brad -5/21/00
Class A
NOTE: these are not in any special order.
Chillicothe (Illinois Valley Central), Taylor Ridge (Rockridge), Johnston City, and Morrison these are all tied for fifth.
IVC has been placed up there because they come from a confrence that 30% of it is class AA. There are 7 teams in the confrence and two are single A. They also won there tournement that was basically double AA. (if I rememder right)
Brad -5/21/00
Class A
Eastland has to be the team to beat.
Bruce Morneweg -5/16/00
Class A
nashville could very well beat any of these teams. herrin has already beaten nashville,johnston city and anna and two of these teams have beat pinckneyville. herrin's only weakness is a quality second pitcher.
Bill Bollinger -5/12/2000
Class A
Eastland has to be the team to beat.
Bruce Morneweg -5/16/00
Class A
nashville could very well beat any of these teams. herrin has already beaten nashville,johnston city and anna and two of these teams have beat pinckneyville. herrin's only weakness is a quality second pitcher.
Bill Bollinger -5/12/2000
Class A
Class A
Casey is now 17-1 and has beaten the #2 ranked AA school in the state. They have proven they belong at the top.
A Casey fan -5/1/00
Class A
Since Herrin and Johnston City are in different regionals this year, they should both make it to the state tourney in Pekin. As long as Lanark has Sara Martz, they will be the team to beat at Pekin.
Deep South Fan -5/1/00
Class AA
Lockport would be number 1 it Shannon wasn't hurt. Stagg started off slow but is doing better now.
SB Princess -4/19/00
Class A
Class A
Olympia looks to be better than last year when they lost to state champs Casey 2-0 in first round of state.
T -3/26/00
Class AA
Indians are Da Bomb!
Class A
Even with Throneberg gone Casey is still the best around
Warrior fan -3/26/00
JJ, thanks for the positive criticism, but here's to hoping that next time you start writing, you will be able to sign your real name. Anyway, Lanark Eastland will be the toughest to beat statewide, just as they very nearly were last year. Mt. Zion was the only team to beat Casey-Westfield last year, and their Under-16 team beat Harrisburg in the PONY national championship game. Nashville finished fourth in the state last year, and brings back a big part of that team. Stanford Olympia surprised most of the state last year by reaching the state quarterfinals. Harrisburg was 32-6 last year, and returns most of that team. Look for Nashville and Harrisburg to win the two southern sectionals and advance to Pekin, while Eastland, Mt. Zion and Olympia make a lot of noise up north.
Thanks for the comment, JJ. Here's to hoping you'll be able to sign your real name to the next post you write. Anyway, Eastland will likely be very tough to beat this year, just as they were last season. Mt. Zion was the only team to beat Casey-Westfield last year, and their U-16 team beat Harrisburg for the PONY national championship in July. Olympia surprised a lot of fans statewide last year, and should be good again in 2000. Nashville and Harrisburg will be the class of the south this year, probably winning the two deep south sectionals and advancing to Pekin.
Jed Nelson -3/13/00
Jed Nelson has rocks in his head.They should teach you in Harrisburg to start thinking with your head not your heart.By the way to any of you who don't know Jed's daddy is assistant coach at Harrisburg.
JJ -3/11/00
Naperville Central all the way
The brackets are set and it looks like the IHSA may get it's wish. It looks like Casey-Westfield could face Rock Island Alleman for another state championship in Denny & Dara Throneburg's farewell to Illinois Prep Softball.
Denny is approaching 650 wins, 125 playoff wins and looking for his 6th Championship with daughter Dara looking for her 3rd. Casey-Westfield will be the most motivated team in the tournament to win and Rock Island Alleman will likely be the team to challenge, both teams have a chance to have easier 1st round state games than regionals and sectionals.
Casey-Westfield will most likely have to beat Mt. Zion to move on. But Casey-Westfield and Rock Island raise it too another level at play off time.
Only five teams statewide doesn't seem hardly fair. I want a top 20 and I pick by regions. The south Region is loaded, definitely the strongest area of the State in Class A. Unfortunately they will knock each other off in the regional # 3 Harrisburg would be joined in my top 20 with Herrin, Nashville, Johnson City, Carmi White Co., Johnson City, and Pinckneyville.
In Central Illinois # 1 Casey-Westfield, #4 Mt. Zion, and # 5 Carrollton would be joined by Stanford Olympia, Warrensburg-Latham, Toledo Cumberland, and Glasford (Illini Bluffs). Having subpar years for their standards are Normal U-High, Williamsville, and St. Joseph-Ogden. But they have played their usual strong schedules.
In Northwest Illinois #2 Rock Island would be joined by Macomb, Orion, and Taylor Ridge Rockridge
.Chicagoland area has basically 2 top teams in Lansing Illiana Christian and Evergreen Park.
The only thing alleman has is thier pitcher Karen Marie Pena. United township beat them 1-0 in a 22 inning game. ut also beat moline 1-0 in 12 innings.
Casey, Harrisburg, Mt. Zion and Carrollton will make a greatfinal four in Pekin.
I see no reason why the Final 4 of '98 shouldn't return this year. I have to believe that J-City has a slight edge with the returned senior experience, pitching, speed, defense, power, and schedule strength.
Harrisburg is overrated because of an early defeat of the J.C. Tribe. That has been reconciled. From what I have seen in the South Herrin is the only team that has the chance to get past J.C. Johnston City is a better team this year behind Renee Mueller's pitching and the hitting up and down the lineup.
That Harrisburg fan has been reading too many comic books, Everyone knows who the best in the south is...
Alleman hasn't played enough games to convince me that they are the best, but they are very good. Carrollton's opposition is questionable, but they too are a great team. Harrisburg has piled up an amazing record against excellent competition all season long. Casey-Westfield, however, is simply the best there is.
BG is definitely the team to beat. Pay no attenion to their double loss to Lake Zurich, they played their bench more than the starters.
Carrollton defintely the team to beat statewide, Harrisburg tough in the south, Rock Island still the class of the field.
Carrollton defintely the team to beat statewide, Harrisburg tough in the south, Rock Island still the class of the field.
BG is definitely the team to beat. They return 4 all-area players, Kim Czapla, Melissa Counley, Piper Mead and Lindsay Hamma from a 32-2 season last year. Also returning are Kate Stake. 833 average after 7 games and Chicago Tribune's player of the week, backup pitcher and now in the starting lineup Michelle Catalano, 3 year varisty members Erin Keubler and Kim Hardt, and probable all area catcher,Erin Bravo. What's amazing is that Hamma, Mead, Counley and Bravo are juniors and Stake is a sophomore. This team is amazing and full of depth and the most likely pick for the state championship.
It's awfull early
Carrollton has too much talent to not be in the top 3 this year. good luck to all the teams.
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