Who is the best Arizona high school softball player? Vote in our poll

The Arizona high school softball season is underway. Here is The Arizona Republic's preseason All-Arizona team, with each of the 12 players in early running for Player of the Year. The Republic's final All-Arizona team and player of the year will be presented after this season based on overall performance, so names could change.

In the meantime, vote in our poll for the player on this list you think should be preseason No. 1. The poll closes at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 5. Print readers can find the poll online with this story at azcentral.com/sports/high-schools.

The Republic's Preseason All-Arizona softball team

Lilly “Goose” Goodwin, Desert Mountain, P, Sr.

One of the top players in the nation who has signed with Northwestern, she's the best in the circle with a changeup that is virtually unhittable. She's put up career numbers that might not be matched for a long time, leading the Wolves through a 5A dynasty.

Emma Reynolds, Queen Creek, SS, Jr.

She's a hitting machine and a tremendous infielder with a strong arm and great range. Has a combination of power and speed. One of the toughest hitters in the nation to get out.

Payton Westra, Red Mountain, OF, Sr.

Signed with Oklahoma. Highly ranked nationally by Softball America, she was part of the gold-medal winning WBSC Under-18 World Cup Finals. She hit an incredible .755 for the Lions last year.

Torynn Slaughter, Pinnacle, C, Sr.

This Alabama commit earned MaxPreps honorable mention honors last season when she hit .459 with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs. Played on the AZ Rising PGF championship team.

Avery Gehrke, Desert Mountain, SS, Sr.

She is one of the state's best-hitting shortstops, who has been a key to the Wolves' dynasty on the diamond.

Angie Falls, Xavier Prep, P, Jr.

She pitched the Gators to the 6A title last year, when she was 12-1 with a 0.30 ERA with 191 strikeouts in 93 innings. She also hit .402 with 37 hits and 30 RBIs.

Makay Fraley, Valley Christian, P/1B, Jr.

She was first-team all-state last year and her region's Offensive Player of the Year. She has committed to Harding University.

Madison Kirby, North Canyon, SS, So.

Despite the team's struggles, Kirby had a great freshman season, hitting .625 while facing top pitching.

Sariah McNabb, Xavier Prep, INF, Jr.

One of the best fielding infielders in the state, she's also a top hitter. She hit .512 with 38 runs and 42 hits to go with 33 RBIs last season.

Kelsey Rolls, Canyon del Oro, C, Sr.

One of the best players in Southern Arizona for a well-established powerhouse program, she is a great defender who hits over .300.

Ava Briski, Desert Vista, 2B, Sr.

She's an Alabama commit who can play nearly every position. Great utility player who hits for average and power. Big key to Thunder's fortunes this year.

Sydnee Williams, Sandra Day O'Connor, OF, Sr.

She has a career batting average over .500. A four-year starter for the Eagles who had 63 hits as a freshman and 56 hits, including 11 home runs, as a junior.

Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Who is the best Arizona high school softball player? Vote in poll