Plainview, West End top Gadsden area high school softball top 5 for week of March 20

With the high school softball season in full swing finally, Gadsden area teams have started to separate themselves from the pack.

Each week, the Gadsden Times will rank the top five teams in the area, which is one of the strongest in the state with two-time defending 3A champion Plainview along with other top teams in each class.

The high school softball season started in mid-February but some teams, for a variety of reasons, took a few weeks to get to full strength between weather and basketball wrapping up as March began.

Here's the top-5 teams, regardless of class in the Gadsden area for results through March 19:

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1. Plainview (6-2)

Why: For now the two-time defending champions will get the top spot in the rankings, especially with their losses only coming to Southside and Hoover. It's still too early

2. West End (10-0)

Why: The undefeated Patriots have been taking names around the area with big wins over Glencoe, Oneonta and Guntersville so far this season, the Etowah County tournament will provide some challenge though.

3. Southside (13-4-1)

Why: The Panthers have been well tested, going down to a tournament in Hoover earlier this month and competing in each game. Locally, they have mostly taken care of business against the top teams but the Etowah County tournament will also provide a challenge and could settle a debate between the Panthers and the Patriots.

4. Boaz (15-2-1)

Why: Boaz has been one of the top teams in the area with two losses to Glencoe and to Southside on Tuesday in area play, which is why they come in the rankings right behind them. The good news for the Pirates is that can avenge that area loss later this week.

5. Hokes Bluff (8-4-1)

Why: The Eagles have seen a strong start to the season and recently took down Class 6A Mountain Brook and Gadsden City. The Eagles have separated themselves from the next group of teams but still a bit below the top-4 teams as well.

Others teams considered: Etowah, Spring Garden

Maxwell Donaldson covers high school sports and Jacksonville State athletics for the Gadsden Times. Find him on Twitter/X @_Max_Donaldson and contact him at MDonaldson@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden area high school softball top 5 for week of March 20