The high school area softball seasons are here and the Memphis area is once again loaded with talent.
Here are 25 players to keep an eye on:
Ryleigh Bowers, Tipton-Rosemark Academy, Sr.: Nobody in the Memphis area had more RBIs (58) last season than Bowers, a Dyersburg State signee. She also finished with a .406 batting average and 41 runs scored.
Abby Buchanan, FACS, Sr.: Buchanan has been a four-year starter for the Crusaders, allowing her .428 batting average to speak for itself.
Ally Callahan, Hernando, Sr.: The Central Arkansas signee hit four home runs in 2021, plus 34 RBIs and eight doubles.
Kayla Clement, Tipton-Rosemark Academy, Sr.:Clement, a Chattanooga State signee, hit .466 as a junior, with 32 RBIs, 24 stolen bases and a Memphis area-best 60 runs scored.
Charleigh Cole, Covington, Sr.: Cole was valuable as both a hitter and pitcher, finishing the 2021 season with a .400 average and 39 runs scored, while fashioning a 7-2 record in the circle.
SPRING SPORTS STANDOUTS WEEK 1:Memphis area high school top performers for Week 1 of the 2022 spring sports season
WEEK 18 HOOPS STARS:Memphis area high school basketball top performers for Week 18 of the 2021-22 season
Brynley DeLancey, Houston, Jr.: DeLancey shined for the Mustangs in 2021 with a .403 batting average, six home runs and 17 stolen bases.
Cameron Douglas, Houston, Sr.: Douglas provided the offensive spark the Mustangs needed last season with a .411 batting average and 18 RBI.
Rylee Eyster, Hernando, Sr.: The speedy Eyster, a McNeese State signee, helped the Tigers capture the MHSAA Class 6A championship with a .482 batting average and 55 runs scored.
Ginny Gex, St. Benedict, Jr.: Gex, a Bryant commitment, has gotten off to a promising start in 2022 with a two-hit game against Grace Christian Academy on March 14.
Anna Gover, Covington, Sr.: In helping the Chargers clinch a berth in the Class AA state tournament, Gover batted .522, scored 39 runs, doubled 15 times and had 46 RBI.
Addie Graham, Arlington, So.: Graham was a consistent force for the Tigers in 2021, batting .552 and scoring 28 runs, which were both tops on her team.
Katelyn Harmon, Collierville, Sr.: Harmon, a Delta State signee, helped the Dragons reach the Class AAA state tournament with a .455 batting average, 35 RBI and 14 doubles.
Brooke Harrison, Tipton-Rosemark Academy, So.:Harrison concluded the 2021 season with a .515 batting average, as well as 14 doubles, 43 RBI and 13 stolen bases.
Kate Hogan, Collierville, So.: Hogan led the Dragons’ youth movement by hitting .387, while also scoring 33 runs and contributing 23 RBI.
Brie Howard, Brighton, Jr.:The Memphis area’s leading home run hitter (10) is back for more. Howard will also look to build on her stellar .465 batting average.
Annaston Hulsey, Bartlett, Jr.: Hulsey was one of several top offensive weapons for the Panthers in 2021, hitting .468 with 29 runs scored. She also had 13 doubles and 24 RBI.
Katelyn Jones, Brighton, Jr.: The Cardinals will continue to be formidable in Class AAA when Jones steps foot in the pitching circle. In 2021, she posted a 20-7 record with a 3.13 ERA.
Jillian Malone, Lake Cormorant, Jr.:Malone pitches for the Gators, but she also gets the job done at the plate by evidence of her .388 batting average in 2021.
Maddie McClendon, Southaven, Jr.: McClendon was an all-district selection for the Chargers and has begun 2022 with a .577 batting average.
Emily Richarde, Arlington, Jr.: Richarde was the Tigers’ ace in 2021, finishing with a 12-7 record, 130 strikeouts and a 3.23 ERA.
Janna Shaw, Hernando, Sr.: Shaw, a Northeast Mississippi CC signee, finished 2021 with a 14-2 pitching record and a 1.50 ERA.
Julia Shaw, Hernando, Sr.: Shaw, an Itawamba CC signee, was one of Mississippi’s best arms in 2021, leading the Tigers to the Class 6A state title with a 21-1 record. She had a 0.93 ERA and 149 strikeouts.
Neely Taylor, St. Benedict, Sr.:Taylor, a Memphis signee, guided the Eagles to the Division II-AA state tournament with a .412 batting average, 26 runs scored, 18 RBIs and nine doubles.
Megan Vinson, DeSoto Central, Sr.: The Jones College signee was extremely versatile for the Jaguars in 2021, hitting .446 with five home runs. As a pitcher, Vinson was 11-3 with a 0.75 ERA and 167 strikeouts.
Myah Wright, Tipton-Rosemark Academy, Sr.:Wright provided lots of pop in 2021 with nine home runs, in addition to a .409 batting average and 46 RBIs.
Watch list is based on information submitted to The Commercial Appeal by Memphis area coaches prior to the start of the 2022 season.
