Darren CooperNorthJersey.com
Welcome to the official 2024 North Jersey preseason softball rankings. We did the unofficial ones back in June.
The last few years, Immaculate Heart Academy has basically gone wire-to-wire as No. 1. The Blue Eagles finished at No. 1 in 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2019 (remember, there was no softball season in 2020).
Spoiler Alert: They will start off as No. 1 in 2024.
After that, it gets interesting. Ramapo was an out away from beating IHA in the Bergen County Tournament last year. Had that happened, a lot might look different. Ramapo is good again, are the Raiders good enough to topple IHA? Weehawken is still fantastic, but can the Indians get by Cedar Grove in Group 1?
Before the season starts, my favorite thing to do with the first set of rankings is spot a team (or two) where the vibes just feel right. Maybe they finished the year strong (like Saddle Brook) or bring back a young pitcher with some game (Northern Highlands), or maybe they’ve been hovering around .500 for a few years and this is the year they break through (Pascack Valley?).
Anyone can pick No. 1… and really, probably No. 2 (Ramsey). The fun is picking the rest.
Here’s are first official North Jersey Top 25 rankings of 2024:
1. Immaculate Heart Academy
Good pitching, best hitter in North Jersey since…I have to think about that, Gabby Shadek (Duke commitment). The Blue Eagles will be judged on two games: The Bergen County Tournament final and if/when they face Mount St. Dominic in the State Tournament. They’re No. 1 until someone else knocks them off.
2. Ramsey
I feel like Alana Chetaitis has been playing softball at Ramsey for 11 years. She’s a great player. The Rams attack every game with passion and a plan and succeed.
3. Weehawken
These are the glory days of Weehawken softball. Senior pitcher Savanna McHale (Binghamton) is the returning North Jersey Player of the Year.
4. Ramapo
The Green Raiders only graduated one starter and brought in a freshman or two. It’s all there.
5. Old Tappan
The Golden Knights bring back almost everyone from last year. Old Tappan always puts pressure on the other team’s defense by running and playing smart.
6. Bergenfield
This is the Bears best team since, well, last year. Eight seniors and pitcher Kayla Porter are back ready to roll.
7. Indian Hills
Audrey Amoruso went 16-6 for the Braves last year…and they were young. Experienced Indian Hills teams usually win championships.
8. Passaic Valley
I’m not underrating the Hornets this year. They have everything, including a rising star in pitcher Mia Aquino.
9. Rutherford
The Bulldogs are overdue for a sectional championship. Giana Yaniero can get them there with another good year in the circle.
10. Ridgefield Park
The Scarlets are in position to have another big year. They have pitching, speed and defense.
11. Pequannock
At the end of the season, Pequannock may barely be .500. That’s how good Morris County softball is, but Pequannock is still worthy of a high ranking. When she’s on, McKenzie Minervini is as good as anyone in the circle.
12. Northern Highlands
Playing in that tough division in the Big North, the Highlanders record may not look great at the end of the year either, but they’re legit.
13. Glen Rock
The Panthers will be the most experienced team in North Jersey with every starter back. They’ve become the dominant program in their division, can they get to the Bergen County semifinals? That should be the expectation.
14. St. Mary
Wait, St. Mary? When’s the last time they were in the poll? Maybe over a decade, but remember the Gaels picked up the bulk of the Immaculate Conception softball roster. It’s a new era.
15. Waldwick
Always good vibes around the Warriors. They bring back pitcher Hailey Zirpoli, but it’s always the same fight with Emerson and Park Ridge.
16. Wood-Ridge
If the Blue Devils can play above-average defense, there’s no reason why they can’t be dangerous in the section with Brooke Stellato pitching.
17. Ridgefield
After a league title and 14 wins, the Royals bring back just about every key contributor and are ready to take the next step.
18. Fair Lawn
I may have the Cutters too low. Can they outslug Passaic Valley in the Big North Independence division?
19. Bergen Tech
After a great run, the Knights are retooling a bit, but still have Nina Sarlo and other good bats.
20. Hawthorne
The Bears couldn’t get past Glen Rock and Pompton Lakes in the NJIC Colonial, but they have some big pieces back and a couple of freshmen who can help.
21. Wallington
Delilah Tabaka and the Panthers came on strong at the end of the season, but there’s not a lot of depth here.
22. Ridgewood
The Maroons surged at the end of last year and seem to have the athletes in the right place. Hey, Ridgewood is good in just about every spring sport, why should softball be any different?
23. West Milford
The Highlanders started 1-8 last year, but then started to show some signs they were figuring some things out. They have some sticks, can they start winning consistently?
24. Emerson
When Group 1 schools lose a standout pitcher to graduation like the Cavos did, usually there’s a dropoff, but I’m confident the core values established in the program will still work.
25. Mahwah
The T-Birds have hovered around .500 the last two years. They always have some girls who can hit. No one should take them lightly.
Rankings history
These are the teams to finish No. 1 in the North Jersey Top 25 rankings:
2023: IHA
2022: IHA
2021: IHA
2020: COVID
2019: IHA
2018: Ramsey
2017: IHA
2016: IHA
2015: IHA
2014: Indian Hills
2013: IHA
2012: IHA
2011: Pequannock
2010: Indian Hills
2009: IHA
2008: Ramapo
2007: Clifton
2006: Ramapo
2005: IHA
2004: Clifton
2003: IHA
2002: IHA
2001: Group 1-2 - St. Mary
2001: Group 3-4 - IHA
