Why All Losses Aren’t the Same at This Time of Year; Also, 2025 Season Done in Louisiana

As some state playoffs around the nation are coming to an end while others are still several weeks from getting underway, we’re at that point in the high school season where it’s important to mention for the rankings game that all losses are not treated equally.

There were some great examples this week of teams not dropping very much at all for losing a game while others had to go down or even out due to the circumstances surrounding their losses.

Previous No. 8 Norco of Norco, Calif., had a league loss last week to Roosevelt of Eastvale, but the Cougars already had clinched their league championship, and already seemed to be locked in to get a high seed for the CIF Southern Section D1 playoffs.

They did fall a few spots in this week’s rankings but are still in the top 15 and could easily move back up even higher than 8th if they were to win the title in the nation’s toughest playoff bracket.

There wasn’t an example of a team losing in a state playoff game and having to drop all the way out of top 50 of the Super 70, but it likely will happen in the coming weeks.

There were teams that lost in state playoffs that use double-elimination formats or in a best-of-three series that had to fall far in this week’s rankings.

Previous No. 12 Thompson of Alabama dropped a game to Hewitt-Trussville on Tuesday morning in the Class 7A East Regionals and went down to No. 35 this week. The Warriors then won later in the day vs Hoover and had a game on Wednesday. That game wasn’t included in this week’s rankings so by the time you’re reading this their season actually could be over.

Other teams lose games to opponents after those teams have already played once or twice earlier in the season.

For this week’s rankings, for example, previous No. 32 Alexander Central of North Carolina is now No. 40, just in front of previous No. 47 South Caldwell. The Cougars may have lost to the Spartans 7-6 last week, but they also have two wins over them from earlier in the season.

At the top of this week’s rankings, No. 1 Melissa of Texas had a single-game it had to win in the Class 5A D1 playoffs and did so with ease, 10-0, over Wakeland. The Cardinals will be in a best-of-three series this week vs Midlothian.

No. 2 Lake Creek of Texas did have to win twice in a series in the 5A D2 playoffs and did so twice last week vs Port Neches-Groves. The Lions are shown to be in a series this week vs Georgetown.

The state that has been getting done first in recent years has been Louisiana and those state playoffs were concluded last weekend and have produced two title teams that have clinched final top 50 spots in this year’s Super 70 rankings.

Kynzie Anderson led Calvary Baptist Academy of Shreveport to the Louisiana Division III Select state title. The Cavaliers also won their fifth straight state title, and they will likely move up from their current No. 12 slot in the SUPER 70 into a final Top 10 position as other teams from other states lose and drop down.

Anderson had a four-hitter and struck out 13 in the semifinals vs Parkview Baptist, then came back to throw a four-inning no-hitter in a mercy rule 12-0 win in the state final vs D’Arbonne Woods.

Poignantly, the team dedicated its season to senior Elena Franks, who died from injuries she suffered in a car accident last January.

Here’s a beautiful TV segment showing how the team came up big for its fallen teammate:

The Lady Cavs won a 5th straight state 🥎 title, but this one was much more special. @CalvaryCavs #ElanaFranks @CarlieGuile_13 @AWillis2025RHP @anderson_kynzee pic.twitter.com/Q6NG3ulN4l

— Tim Owens (@TimOwensTV) May 5, 2025

Sam Houston of Lake Charles, La., has been on the bubble in recent weeks, but impressed in winning the D1 Non-Select state championship. The Broncos, who moved up to No. 38 in this week’s rankings, had knocked out defending champ West Monroe two weeks ago and won in the state final, 3-2, vs Dutchtown.

Kalyn Mire tossed a three-hitter in that game, finishing it out in the seventh after teammate Taelyn Droddy had a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth inning.

— Mark Tennis of CalHiSports.com for Line Drive Softball

 *****

(Previous rank in parentheses; after games of Tuesday, May 6, 2025)
* Indicates season complete.

1. (1) Melissa (Melissa, Texas) 32-0
2. (2) Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas) 31-0
3. (3) Orange Beach (Orange Beach, Ala.) 41-2
4. (4) Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.) 26-1
5. (5) Katy (Katy, Texas) 36-1
6. (6) Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 25-2
7. (7) Summerville (Summerville, S.C.) 27-0
8. (9) Forney (Forney, Texas) 29-1-1
9. (13) Del Oro (Loomis, Calif.) 24-1
10. (10) Rosary (Fullerton, Calif.) 25-2-1

Scroll down to see the rest of the Top 50 plus 20 more teams on the bubble…