North Buncombe joins the WNC high school softball power rankings as playoffs approach

There are only two more weeks until the NCHSAA softball playoffs begin.

Here are the Week 9 WNC high school softball power rankings with the playoffs looming.

1. West Henderson (13-1)

Second baseman Marley Orr and center fielder LaShea Morlu helped West Henderson knock off previously undefeated Franklin 12-7 on April 12. Orr hit a three-home run, and Morlu gave the Falcons a 7-6 lead they never relinquished in the bottom of the fourth.

Last week: No. 1. This week: vs. Erwin (Monday), at No. 8 Pisgah (Tuesday)

2. Enka (13-2)

The Sugar Jets have won six in a row, averaging 11 runs per game during that span. Enka also picked up impressive wins over No. 8 Pisgah, Reynolds and Tuscola. It can avenge its last loss to No. 10 North Buncombe on Friday.

Last week: No. 3. This week: vs. No. 6 McDowell (Tuesday), vs. No. 8 Pisgah (Wednesday), vs. No. 10 North Buncombe (Friday)

3. Robbinsville (14-2)

Tennessee signee Zoie Shuler and pitcher Memory Frapp have guided Robbinsville to an eight-game win streak since falling to Reynolds on March 27. The Black Knights have outscored opponents 94-16 during this stretch.

Last week: No. 4. This week: vs. Smoky Mountain (Monday), at Hayesville (Tuesday), vs. Hayesville (Friday)

4. Franklin 11-2

Franklin falls in this week's power rankings after losing to North Henderson 5-4 in extra innings. The Panthers get a chance to avenge that loss Tuesday.

Last week: No. 2. This week: vs. North Henderson (Tuesday), vs. No. 5 Murphy (Thursday), at Smoky Mountain (Friday)

5. Murphy (11-1)

Murphy has won 11 straight since losing the opening game of the season to No. 4 Franklin. It can avenge that loss on Thursday. The Bulldogs will need a strong effort from pitcher Paisley Johnson, who is 4-1 with a 0.80 ERA and 111 strikeouts to just 10 walks in 70⅓ innings pitched.

Last week: No. 7. This week: at Swain County (Monday), at No. 4 Franklin (Thursday), vs. Swain County (Friday)

6. Owen (13-2)

Owen has won nine in a row thanks to shortstop Mia Roland and pitcher Sophie Neal. The Warlassies picked up impressive wins vs. No.10 North Buncombe and Swain County last week.

Last week: No. 8. This week: at Freedom (Monday), vs. Avery County (Tuesday), at Avery County (Thursday)

7. McDowell (10-4)

McDowell falls back a spot after beating Reynolds but losing to No. 10 North Buncombe last week.

Last week: No. 6. This week: at No. 2 Enka (Tuesday), vs. Bandys (Thursday), vs. Asheville (Friday)

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8. Pisgah (9-5)

Pisgah has suffered losses to No. 4 Franklin and Land O' Lakes (Fla.), but it picked up an impressive 6-3 win over No. 9 Brevard. Sadie Messer allowed only one earned run while striking out 10 in the win.

Last week: No. 5. This week: vs. No. 1 West Henderson (Tuesday), at No. 2 Enka (Wednesday), vs. Tuscola (Friday)

9. Brevard (10-5)

Brevard lost to No. 8 Pisgah, but Claire Wilson continues her hot hitting. She is batting .654 with 12 doubles, three triples, three home runs, 29 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

Last week: No. 9. This week: vs. Polk County (Tuesday), vs. North Henderson (Thursday), at Polk County (Friday)

10. North Buncombe (8-5)

Sadie Jo Hunter continues to mow down opposing hitters and helped the Black Hawks rejoin the top 10 after picking up a win over No. 7 McDowell last week. Hunter has a 5-2 record with a 0.53 ERA with 100 strikeouts to just 15 walks in 60 innings pitched.

Last week: Unranked. This week: vs. East Rutherford (Tuesday), at No. 2 Enka (Friday)

Zachary Huber is a high school sports reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times and Hendersonville Times-News. Email him at zhuber@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @zacharyahuber. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times and Times-News.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: North Buncombe joins the WNC high school softball power rankings as playoffs approach