It's a broken record when it comes to schools hanging around the final four orspecifically the  title game in Division I softball. Fans and opposition are (or should be) cognizant of the fact Red Mountain and Basha are the programs they are chasing to snatch a state title banner of their own.

As the prep softball season reaches the last three weeks of the regular season, most  teams have between six and nine power-ranking games to play. It's a chance to take inventory of the top teams (particularly from the East Valley),  but with mention of top teams outside the EV.

Finishing in the top eight in the power rankings is important since it buys those teams a first-round bye. The first two rounds of state are single ellimination so one less elimanation game is a nice reward.

The top-20 schools in the latest D-I power-rankings from Monday (April 8) afternoon are: 1. Mountain Ridge; 2. Cienega. 3. Basha. 4. Centennial. 5. Mesa Mountain View. 6. Gilbert. 7 Perrry. 8. Xavier. 9. Red Mountain and 10. Desert Mountain; 11. Marana. 12. Chaparrall. 13. Sunnyside. 14. Desert Ridge. 15. Horizon. 16. Corona del Sol. 17. Mountain Pointe. 18. Tucson High 19. Willow Canyon and 20. Desert Vista. The Division I state tournament begins onSaturday  April 27.

May as well start with Red Mountain (four) and Basha (two), the schools owning six of the last seven big-school titles Teams are listed with current power ranking and current power-ranking game record:

NO. 9 Red Mountain (7-3), at times, has looked like a four-time, defending state champ. A recent stretch, however, against teams eager to supplant them resulted in late, lopsided losses (Gilbert and Desert Ridge). Defense overall, has been less consistent. The Lady Lions lost one power-ranking game last year. They've dropped three this year with eight left (a favorable schedule). Offense, even with a reduction in speed from the past couple years, remains potent with Jordan Beck and Ashley Hill in he middle of the order and pitching good enough to win with Bre Macha, the winning pitcher in the state title game the last two years, now  in her junior year.

NO. 3 Basha (8-1) has all the pieces to end two years of being bridesmaid to Red Mountain. A tough lineup 1-9, two good pitchers and solid defense. Leadoff hitter Courtney Hiruko  is as good as it gets and Kylie Shull is one of many power bats who adds stellar defense at third. The Lady Bears also have faced the most rigorous schedule of any team (its three losses are to Red Mountain, Horizon and Mountain Ridge) and have a number of quality wins among their 19 thus far.  

NO. 5 Mesa Mountain View (8-1) is solid, but leans even more heavily this year on the pitching of Val Kaff. The Lady Toros are not as good offensively as the past couple seasons. They won't win slugfests against playoff-caliber teams, but can survive the 3-2, 2-1 or 1-0 contest. They have one of the more lethal power bats in Sid Ryan and Kaff handles the bat well, too. Given their overall offensive shortcomgins the Lady Toros like to play small-ball..

NO. 6 Gilbert (8-2) returned more than half its starting lineup from last year and is playing at a similar level. The Lady Tigers are a contender. A very good hitting team more apt to win a high-scoring game than a pitcher's duel. Shortstop Dani Nelson gives with her bat and takes away on defense. Some days Gilbert doesn't put it all togethe, but when they do can compete with the best.

NO. 7 Perry (9-2) suffered through disappointing back-to-back losses to Basha 10 days ago, its only power-ranking losses to date. The Lady Pumas have enough offense and Jillian Leslie can hold her own in the circle. Perry, like Red Mountain, has a favorable schedule the rest of the way and can play with the top teams.

NO. 14. Desert Ridge (6-5) recently recorded a sweep of power-ranking game with Red Mountain (3-2 and 13-7 wins). The Lady Jags five losses are to Mountain View (2), Gilbert (2) and Basha last Friday, 2-1. Desert Ridge has back-to-back games late this week with Perry and another matchup with Basha among its final seven games.

NO. 15 Corona del Sol (10-2) is on the rise thanks in great part to a healthy McKenna Isenberg. Isenberg has put injury and illness behind her from the past season plus (knock on wood)  and has the Lady Aztecs on a roll. They've won six consecutive power-ranking games since finishing 2-5 in the Desert Mountain Invitational.

Outside the East Valley, NO. 1 Mountain Ridge (10-0) is one of two D-I teams unbeaten in power-ranking games -- NO. 2 Cienega (11-0) is the other. Mountain Ridge dealt Basha its lone prg loss last week, 6-3. The Lady Mountain Lions were 6-1 at the Desert Mountain Invite a couple weeks ago, losing only to tourney champ Horizon. They are sailing along as they've done the past several years. Mountain Ridge has been eliminated or suffered one of its two state tourney losses to either Red Mountain or Basha the past four seasons. Cienega has beaten Sunnyside (one of the top 15 D-I teams) and Sahuaro (a top D-II squad). They face both again down the stretch. NO. 4 Centennial (8-1) a tradition-rich program for years in D-II, hasn't been able to reach the top yet in D-I. The Lady Coyotes have feasted on a soft power-ranking schedule.Their lone loss was 16-4 to Mountain Ridge, the only bonafide contender on its power-ranking slate.NO. 8  Xavier (8-2) has fared well relying on freshman pitchers Karlee Johnson and Caitlin  Dickman. The offense is keyed by Katie Park and Kendyl Melton, among others. With 16 wins overall and a decent schedule behind it,  Xavier has shown it can compete and thensome.  

NO. 10 Desert Mountain (8-2), NO. 12 Chaparral (8-2) and NO. 15  Horizon (6-2) rely on the pitching of Andy Wellins, Dallas McBride and Tamara Statman, resepctively, to succeed. Each has shown more offensive punch than Mesa Mountain View or and Corona del Sol and have the ability to win an offensive game now and again. They are, however, at their best when their hurlers are in command. NO. 11 Marana (8-3) and NO. 13 Sunnyside (7-2) don't own a quality power-ranking victory ye. They have each dropped one power-ranking game to Cienega and Tucson High and have rematches coming up.