Players are back in school and fall ball is heating back up. Who are the top team this year in the IHSA

4A
Marist: Always a juggernaut. New bandit frosh class filling in the hole left behind with graduation. Always one one of the deepest line-ups in terms of offense, defense, and speed.
Probably the best frosh class in 4A arrived.
Oswego: 4A champs return their ace but is there enough supporting cast to get them back down to state.
LWE: They have gobs of hitting and can play defense. Quite a few big time commits. Can they make the leap? Good coaching and some pitching depth to cover the lack of elite pitching. Can they survive the sectional to make a run at state?
Barrington: Pitcher is back and only has 1-2 holes to fill in the line-up, can Perry win it finally? Does the road get easier with teams out west getting weaker. 2nd place last season surprised a lot of teams.
Lockport: Always a well coached and disciplined team. New ace to take over with some depth in the bullpen. Made a nice run to state last season. A tough conference schedule also helps. Can the Porters shock the naysayers and get it done. Hall of Fame coach and competitive conference helps.
St. Charles East: The South Carolina battery might make them the favorites in 4A. Typically a well rounded team. Playing in a tough conference will make them ready for the playoffs. Will North be able to knock them off?
Lake Park: Another team with typical strong offense and defense. 2-3 deep in the circle with elite talent. Will have to get through some tough teams to get down to state.

3A
Glenwood: Most of the impact players are back as well as both pitchers. The defending 3A champs look like the team to beat. Elite and depth in the circle. Good mix of experience on the roster and one of the top coaches in 3A.
Prairie Ridge: Indiana commit in the circle but lost some starters including a D1 commit at SS. Do they have enough to win a tough sectional loaded with pitching.
Antioch: 1 run from state, returns 9 starters including 4 D1 commits, plus one of the top frosh classes in the state. Throw in an elite coach and a killer nonconference schedule, the Queens of the North are back.
Dunlap: Returns all four of its all-Staters including its first team Pitcher and Catcher. Tough sectional and will have to face Glenwood to make it to state.
Crystal Lake Central: One of the deepest pitching staffs in the state and an elite lead off hitter to get the offense off the ground. Will have to get through PR at the sectional and then Antioch at the Supers.

2A
This is a two horse show. Beecher and Carterville return all their star power and pitching. Someone will have to fumble for these two teams not to make it to the state title game.