Hannan, SCC look like ‘56’ contenders

    With the end of the softball season at hand, the all-important power ratings will pair schools from around the state for berths in the “Fast Pitch 56” state tournament that begins April 27 in Sulphur’s Frasch Recreation Complex.
    The unofficial power ranking last week may be an indicator of what’s to come for the 12 local Catholic school teams that are expected to qualify for playoff berths.
    And the rankings show that defending Class 1A champion Archbishop Hannan and St. Charles Catholic have the best chances of making the  56-team championship field.
    For the others – Mount Carmel, Archbishop Chapelle, Dominican and St. Scholastica in Class 5A; Cabrini, Ursuline and the Academy of Our Lady in 4A, and 3A qualifiers St. Mary’s Academy, De La Salle and Xavier Prep – the road to Sulphur is strewn with roadblocks in the form of higher seeds.
    Hannan (16-7 entering the final regular-season week), will probably be the No. 2 seed and draw St. Mary (5-9)of Natchitoches, which appears to be the No. 31 seed.
    The Lady Hawks then just have to beat either No. 15 Houma Christian or No. 18  Country Day (13-3) to get into the quarterfinal round. Hannan edged Houma Christian, 4-3, in a March 19 game at home.
    St. Charles Catholic (17-5) projects as the No. 7 seed in Class 3A with an opening round home game against No. 26 South Beauregard (7-16). No. 10 North Vermilion (16-6) is the likely regional round opponent and again at the Lady Comets’ field.
    Also in Class 3A are St. Mary’s (13-3), De La Salle (8-7) and Xavier Prep (11-4), all still battling for the 10-3A championship. But regardless of the outcome, the three will all have to open on the road against top competition.
    St. Mary’s, perhaps the best of the trio, ranks No. 32 (the last playoff seed) and would open against No. 1 Parkview Baptist (11-4).
    Mount Carmel (17-8) is the highest 5A seed at No. 16. Chapelle (16-8) is at No. 19, Dominican (11-11) is No. 25 and St. Scholastica (14-7) is  No. 26.
    In Class 4A, Cabrini (11-8) is No. 17, Ursuline (12-12) is No. 19 and Academy of Our Lady (16-10) is No. 21.