Who's No. 1? Top 6 high school softball teams around Peoria in 2024
The Illinois high school softball season began this week across the state. The postseason for Class 1A and 2A begins May 13 with the state finals set for May 31-June 1 at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria. The Class 3A and 4A postseason starts a week later with the conclusion coming June 7-8 also in Peoria.
Here are the top six Peoria-area softball teams for the 2024 high school season, including three among the small schools and three among the large schools. Last year's records are in parentheses.
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LARGE SCHOOLS
1. Metamora (32-4)
Metamora, ranked No. 3 in the preseason Class 3A ICA poll, has been to the Elite Eight in back-to-back seasons. This could be the season the Redbirds back through to their first state finals appearance since winning the 2010 Class 3A state championship. Coach Deric Linder has six starters including Nora Johnson, Kennedy Nee and Ellie Schaffer back. Ole Miss commit and reigning Journal Star player of the year Kaidance Till will be a huge bat for Metamora, which opened the season with a 2-1 win over No. 5 Pontiac on March 12.
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2. East Peoria (23-10)
Look for East Peoria to contend for its first outright Mid-Illini Conference championship since 2021 and fourth in five years. The Raiders will utilize Meadow Terry emerging last season as the staff ace. She'll be a big factor in EP, ranked No. 6 in the ICA preseason poll, competing for a second regional championship in the three seasons. Coach Denee Menzione will rely on the bat of Gabby Lane throughout the season.
3. Dunlap (19-9)
The Eagles could be a dark horse to compete for the program's first Mid-Illini Conference championship. Dunlap is also searching for its first regional title since a 2011 Class 3A sectional appearance. Second-year coach Germaine Fairchild has a loaded lineup with four seniors — Shelby Covey (Monmouth), Kennedy Cleeton (ICC), Justice Krus (St. Ambrose) and Brooklyn Millhollin (Monmouth) — committed to playing college. Dunlap will open its season against Chicago Payton and Ottawa Marquette in Jacksonville on March 16.
SMALL SCHOOLS
1. Illini Bluffs (25-6)
It won't be surprising if the Tigers play for a fifth successive Class 1A state championship. Last season's Class 1A state runner-up has seven starters returning for coach Lindsey Lox. Illini Bluffs, ranked No. 1 in the Illinois Coaches Association, has its battery back in pitcher Cora Ellison and catch Lexi Brinkman. Don't forget that starting infielders Annabelle Fortin, Kennedy Kawolsky and Chloe Eeten, while outfielders Sara Finn and Hannah Thomas are the other returnees. IB opens its season by hosting Illinois Valley Central on March 21.
2. St. Bede (27-7-1)
The reigning Class 1A state champs got bumped a class for 2024. The Bruins are Class 2A now, coming in at No. 17 in the Class 2A ICA preseason poll. Now, coach Shawn Sons welcomes back six players who started in the 2023 state title game. But maybe most importantly, Sons has the 1-2 punch of senior pitchers Ella Hermes and Reagan Stoudt. St. Bede opened its season at Peoria Notre Dame on March 11, plus plays a nonconference game in Chillicothe at Illinois Valley Central on April 19.
3. Brimfield/Elmwood (19-3)
B/E looks to get back to the sectional for the first time since 2022. The Indians ended their season in a Class 2A regional semifinal, snapping a 14-game winning streak. Coach Kurt Juerjens has a great core of players returning including sophomore pitcher Sawyer Dury and senior catcher CJ Troxell. Also, back in the mix for Brimfield is senior outfielder Kylee Vaughn, sophomore first baseman/pitcher Schyer Meinders and senior Kierra Johnson. Brimfield/Elmwood opened its season with a 4-2 win over Knoxville on March 12.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA softball preview: Who are the top 6 Peoria-area teams for 2024?
