The first Alabama Sports Writers Association high school baseball poll for the 2024 season is a virtual who’s who of recent baseball powers.
In Class 7A, 2022 champ Central-Phenix City leads the way followed closeley by Bob Jones and Hewitt-Trussville. In 6A, perennial power Hartselle is on top followed by reigning champ Oxford, Saraland and Mountain Brook.
The other No. 1 teams in the first poll are Gulf Shores (5A), Bibb County (4A), Piedmont (3A), Ariton (2A), Millry (1A) and Glenwood (AISA).
Here are the initial ASWA baseball rankings of 2024:
CLASS 7A
1. Central-Phenix City (20-1)
2. Bob Jones (20-4)
3. Hewitt-Trussville (15-4)
4. Oak Mountain (17-6)
5. Baker (14-3)
6. Thompson (15-7)
7. Mary G. Montgomery (12-3)
8. Vestavia Hills (8-7)
9. Spain Park (13-6)
10. Sparkman (16-4)
Others nominated: Auburn (10-5), Chelsea (14-6), Enterprise (12-4), Fairhope (13-7), Florence (12-7), Grissom (12-8), Hoover (8-9), James Clemens (15-6), Tuscaloosa County (10-9).
CLASS 6A
1. Hartselle (13-4)
2. Oxford (12-6)
3. Saraland (15-4)
4. Mountain Brook (15-3)
5. Briarwood Christian (8-6)
6. Gardendale (10-4)
7. Spanish Fort (12-6)
8. Homewood (9-6)
9. Helena (11-9)
10. Faith Academy (10-4)
Others nominated: Athens (11-5), Calera (8-7), Cullman (5-11), Decatur (12-5), Hueytown (11-8), Muscle Shoals (8-5), Northridge (4-4), Pike Road (12-4).
CLASS 5A
1. Gulf Shores (15-6)
2. Boaz (12-2)
3. Alexandria (12-5)
4. Sardis (10-6)
5. Shelby County (13-5)
6. Mobile Christian (8-6)
7. Russellville (10-7)
8. Fairview (13-3)
9. Elmore County (11-2)
10. Headland (7-6)
Others nominated: Ardmore (11-7), East Limestone (11-7), Leeds (9-7), Rehobeth (10-6), Springville (11-4), St. Paul’s (10-8), Sylacauga (10-3), Valley (13-2), West Point (6-7).
CLASS 4A
1. Bibb County (16-1)
2. Corner (12-3)
3. Bayside Academy (9-5)
4. American Christian (8-9)
5. Etowah (10-9)
6. Deshler (13-4)
7. Trinity (11-8)
8. Westminster Christian (9-5)
9. Hanceville (10-3)
10. Orange Beach (12-3)
Others nominated: Andalusia (5-7), Brooks (5-7), Central-Florence (13-5), Cherokee County (12-6), Cleburne County (9-1), Good Hope (8-5), Hamilton (14-5), Jacksonville (8-9), Madison County (15-3), Munford (11-3), North Jackson (14-4), Priceville (8-7), Satsuma (13-2), St. John Paul II (6-4), T.R. Miller (7-8), Wilson (13-5).
CLASS 3A
1. Piedmont (10-4)
2. Decatur Heritage (10-5)
3. Thomasville (10-4)
4. Saint James (8-4)
5. Prattville Christian (11-5)
6. Providence Christian (8-6)
7. Houston Academy (6-6)
8. Hokes Bluff (9-5)
9. Gordo (7-6)
10. Vinemont (14-3)
Others nominated: Flomaton (8-8), Glencoe (10-8), Lauderdale County (6-4), New Brockton (11-6), Northside Methodist (8-4), Oakman (11-4), Opp (7-5), Straughn (10-6), Westbrook Christian (6-5), W.S. Neal (9-7).
CLASS 2A
1. Ariton (10-4)
2. Pike Liberal Arts (13-1)
3. G.W. Long (9-4)
4. Vincent (13-2)
5. Wicksburg (13-2)
6. Collinsville (12-2)
7. Lindsay Lane (12-6)
8. Fyffe (9-5)
9. Hatton (15-5)
10. Mars Hill (10-5)
Others nominated: Bayshore Christian (6-7), Donoho (5-6), North Sand Mountain (8-5), Pleasant Valley (8-6), Tuscaloosa Academy (8-6), Whitesburg Christian (7-5).
CLASS 1A
1. Millry (16-0)
2. Sumiton Christian (10-3)
3. Appalachian (9-2)
4. Sweet Water (10-4)
5. Hackleburg (10-5)
6. Leroy (9-4)
7. Gaylesville (10-2)
8. Florala (7-1)
9. Brantley (7-2)
10. Billingsley (8-4)
Others nominated: Covenant Christian (4-5), Lynn (6-2), Red Level (5-3), Spring Garden (5-5).
AISA
1. Glenwood (11-5)
2. Lowndes Academy (15-5)
3. Lee-Scott (10-6)
4. Clarke Prep (12-3)
5. Macon-East (15-5)
6. Bessemer Academy (17-8)
7. Edgewood Academy (16-8)
8. Patrician (6-5)
9. Autauga Academy (11-7)
10. Escambia Academy (6-4)
Others nominated: Cornerstone Christian (6-2), Lakeside (10-12).