1 Weddington Baseball: Coach Travis Poole and the defending 3A state champion Warriors are loaded with four Division I players, headlined by a 6-foot-4 pitcher, Clemson recruit Alex Bostic. The Warriors are looking for a repeat performance.

2 Alexander Central Softball:Any discussion of the top teams begins with Coach Monte Sherrill and Co., who have been nationally ranked eight of the past nine seasons and will look to do it again with all-state performers Taylor Wike and Christina Krider and Sherrill’s daughter, Vada Sherill.

3 Hough Girls Soccer: The defending 4A champions look for an encore performance with coach David Smith and the likes of All-Observer forward Sarah Moon and all-state goalkeeper Marnie Merritt (Ole Miss commit) leading the way.

4 Providence Day Tennis: Coach Ryan Harper has a dynasty going, winning eight of the past 10 NCISAA 3A tennis (boys/girls) titles, including two of the past three with boys.

5 South Stanly Baseball: Defending 1A state champions are consistently one of the best and coach Terry Tucker has a lot of talent again, starting with all-state pitcher Russ Weiker.

6 Salisbury Boys Golf: Coach Dale Snyder and his Hornets squad have won the past two 2A titles, including a 31-shot victory last season. They are loaded with talent like Eric Edwards once again.

7 Charlotte Latin Girls Soccer: The five-time defending state champion Hawks have another championship-level team with all-state senior Ashley Finke (Davidson signee) back and coach Lee Horton calling the shots.

8 Charlotte Christian Baseball: Coach Greg Simmons has guided the Knights to 11 state titles. With players like pitcher Bailey Ober (College of Charleston commit), Nick Owens and Simmons’ son, Matt Simmons (Appalachian State), No. 12 could come this season.

9 Shelby Boys Tennis:Defending 2A state champion has top player Ray Webb Parker back to try and repeat after going 22-0 last season.

10 Forestview Boys Golf: The defending 3A champions return two of the state’s best golfers, Will Long (Auburn) and Will Blalock (N.C. State) to take them back to the top.

11 Cuthbertson Girls Soccer:The Cavaliers and coach Nelson Garner have proven they are among the top teams in the state. Now an experienced team wants to win it all again.

12 Providence-Ardrey Kell Baseball: The teams may not have the stars they usually boast, but as long as coaches Danny Hignight and Hal Bagwell are in the dugouts, this is every spring’s best rivalry.

13 Hough Boys Golf Team: Coach Erik Herberth has four Division I players in his lineup, which has the defending 4A West Regional champions thinking about a state title run.

14 Monroe Girls Track Team:The Redhawks, led by coach Nichole Jackson and sprinter Reneazia Collins, look to defend their 1A state crown.

15 Lake Norman Boys Lacrosse:The Wildcats have the daunting task of trying to replicate last season’s 23-0 season that ended with a state title. But with state championship MVP Kyle Gradert, they are going to give it their best shot.

16 Cannon Boys Golf:With promising young talents like Noah Edmondson (Arkansas commit) and Will Gordon (Vanderbilt commit), the Cougars have state title ambitions.

Jay Edwards