Feb. 20 marked the beginning of the high school softball. West Valley Preps asked local coaches to take a look at their teams and four coaches responded:

Paradise Honors Panthers

4A Skyline Region
Coach: Cristy Waring (first year as Paradise Honors head coach)
2023 Record: 26-8-1, 8-2 region (Semifinal of 4A playoffs)
Top returning players? Anice Upshaw, Sr., C/3B (.464, 7 HB, 40 RBI); Ashley Albert, Sr., 2B (.429, 8 RBI)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Our best attribute entering the season is the versatility of our players. Every player can play multiple positions, and that gives us the flexibility to adapt to different situations and opponents. We also have multiple options in the circle and won’t have to rely on one arm to get us through the long season.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We are a young but talented team that just needs to learn to play together and find their place. We have seven freshmen and three sophomores on a team of 14 players. We return four everyday starters from last year (Gabby Marquez, Makayla George, Meghan Stroh, and Anice Upshaw), and we need them to lead the way for the newcomers.
Who are your team leaders? Our veteran centerfielder, Makayla George, is leading our young outfielders, our senior catcher, Anice Upshaw, is guiding our other catchers and our pitchers, and Ashley Albert is our vocal leader who keeps the energy and focus up on the field. Gabby Marquez and Meghan Stroh are also stepping up as leaders on the field and in the dugout.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? We have too many to list here. We have tremendous young talent on this squad, and I am so excited to see what our freshmen can do over the next four years. At any given time, we may have four or five of them in our starting lineup, and they all will have a positive impact on our season this year.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? The kids just need to stay focused, have confidence, and trust each other. Every player on our team is essential to our success, and when they all come together, they do amazing things on the field. I am confident that this year’s squad will continue the great successes that the previous coaches and players have had at PHHS.

Shadow Ridge  Stallions

6A West Valley Region
Coach: Kortny Hall (fourth year as coach)
2023 Record: 25-8, 10-0 region (Second round of 6A playoffs)
Top returning players? J’kai’a Graves, Sr., SS/OF (.561, 30 SB, 23 RBI); Jordan Hart, Sr., C (.530, .870 slugging, 3 HR, 44 RBI)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We have a lot of returning players so we should be able to work well together this year
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We need to improve our hitting execution for us to be more successful this year.
Who are your team leaders? J’kai’a Graves and Jordan Hart do a great job of leading the team. They both are passionate about softball and bring different attributes that help make our team successful.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? We need to play as a team and attack each game right from the beginning. Tight defense usually helps us stay in the close games..

Valley Vista Monsoon

6A West Valley
Coach: Jordan Scott (first year as head coach)
2023 Record: 4-18, 1-9 region
Top returning players: Izzy Black, Jr., (.364, 8 RBI); Jordan Hart, Sr., C (.530, .870 slugging, 3 HR, 44 RBI)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Our defense is going to be what carries us this season. Yes we can swing the bats and score runs, but our defense will be the difference in our wins and losses.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? The biggest key to success in this game is consistency. Bringing your best to the field every day is huge. We have a number of ladies that can produce at high levels on the defense and at the plate, if we can be consistent.
Who are your team leaders? Our team captain is Brooke Hyde. She is a senior and on her way to play college ball. But we have others that will step up in leadership roles like Katie Mayen, Zayda Atalima and Charlyan Durazo. Leadership should be a strength this season as we have multiple ladies that want to do everything possible to bring their teammates along for the ride.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? Sophomore Teagen Sorensen is one to watch for. She played a few games with the varsity team last year, but she is a defensive force and swings the bat really well. She is someone we are counting on for big things this year.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? For Valley Vista it comes down to playing consistently and sticking together. There will be some rough patches (as there are for any team). For us it is learning how to lean on each other in the tough times. The unit is stronger than the individual.

Willow Canyon Wildcats

5A Northwest Region
Coach: Donnie Tizzano (sixth year of second stint at Willow Canyon).
2023 Record: 30-2-1, 12-0 region (5A runners up)
Top returning players: Harmony Andrade, Sr., SS/OF (.469, 11 SB, 9 HR, 55 RBI); Rylee Turlington, Sr., OF (.438, 12 HR, 64 RBI)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Our kids are athletic. We have a lot of experience that we will lean on as the season progresses.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We need to go back to what we do well. We have to focus on and believe that being great at the little things will lead to better results.
Who are your team leaders? Mia Viramontes and Izzy Ray are our captains. We have a lot of seniors on this roster, so the leadership responsibilities are shared amongst the team.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? Freshman pitchers Aubrey Kautman, Sierra Tartaglia and Mykah Herrera will anchor our pitching staff. Freshman Maddie Jones and Mataya Olson are capable of playing all over the field. Sophomore Caylee Walding will challenge for a starting outfield position.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? We need to come together and trust the process that has made us so successful for the last five seasons.