757Teamz softball top 15: Nansemond-Suffolk Academy repeats as No. 1 in Hampton Roads for second year in row
High school softball has been so competitive in Hampton Roads this season that four teams held the No. 1 spot in the 757Teamz Top 15 in as many weeks. But with the dust settled on the public schools’ regular season and private schools’ state tournaments, the last of those four finishes first in the final rankings.
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy assured its place as the area’s No. 1 team for the second consecutive season by defeating Isle of Wight Academy 1-0 in the VISAA Division III state championship game last week in Dinwiddie. Madison Inscoe, who has signed to play for North Carolina State, pitched a three-hit shutout in addition to doubling and scoring the winning run in the bottom of the sixth.
Defending Class 5 state champion Nansemond River enters region tournament play this week ranked No. 2, which means Suffolk occupies the top two spots for a second consecutive season. Beach District champion Kempsville, enters the postseason at No. 3 in the rankings.
The only newcomer to the rankings this week is Isle of Wight, which upset St. Margaret’s in the VISAA Division III semifinals before pushing NSA to the brink in the championship game. The Chargers replace Isle of Wight County neighbor Smithfield in the top 15.
NOTE: These rankings are based on results reported to The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press before Monday’s games:
School: Record, previous ranking
1. Nansemond-Suffolk: 24-2, 1
2. Nansemond River: 17-3, 3
3. Kempsville: 18-2, 4
4. Hickory: 14-4-1, 5
5. Great Bridge: 15-4, 6
6. Grassfield: 15-4-1, 2
7. Granby: 15-3, 8
8. Greenbrier Christian: 19-9, 7
9. Tallwood: 14-5, 11
10. Kellam: 11-6, 10
11: Warhill: 12-5, 14
12: Green Run: 12-6, 12
13: First Colonial: 11-6, 13
14: Western Branch: 11-7, 10
15: Isle of Wight: 11-7, NR
Dropped out: No. 15 Smithfield.
The next five: Menchville, Deep Creek, Churchland, Smithfield, Ocean Lakes.
