Senior staff writer
Another banner season appears to lie ahead for high school softball teams on the Southside.
Four are ranked among the top teams in the state, according to the preseason coaches poll. Reigning state champion Center Grove is ranked No. 2 among 4A teams with Franklin Central No. 8 and Roncalli No. 9; Lutheran is No. 7 among 1A teams.
Center Grove won a record sixth state championship last year after escaping from its rugged sectional. Roncalli has won three state titles and Lutheran two, with a runner-up finish. Franklin Central, under veteran coach Kathy Stricker, is a two-time 4A runner-up.
The season is filled with spoiler teams, including Perry Meridian, Southport, Greenwood and unheralded Greenwood Christian Academy, which returns all its players from last season.
Defending Champion Center Grove is ready for 2016
Franklin Central earns top 10 ranking
Roncalli must replace key members from regional champion team
Saints have high hopes in Class A
Indications are up for Southport softball
Perry looks to build off of .500 season
Greenwood has talent in Overton, Bauer & DeCastro
Young Hornets have scoring
Year three for GCA softball
Manual regroups from 5-15 season