L.J. Figueroa, the second-leading scorer in the Under Armour Association circuit, is transferring high schools.

Figueroa, a four-star shooting guard who is one of the top 10 prospects in the Florida, will leave Oldsmar Christian for West Oaks Academy (Orlando), USA TODAY High School Sports has confirmed.

The 6-5 Figueroa averaged 20.4 points for Team Breakdown. His 41 points are a game high for the association this year.

RELATED: Figueroa making case as top scorer in Florida in Class of 2017

He has nine reported offers thus far, including Florida, Miami and Louisville.

His departure comes as Oldsmar coach Jordan Fair leaves for a position as a grad assistant on Rick Pitino’s staff at Louisville.

“It was a mutual parting of ways,” Fair said. “I’ve taken a job at Louisville and I believe that felt like it was a good time for him to move on.”

Kurt Taylor (right) is bringing his skills to Grayson (Photo: Cory Fravel, 247Sports)

Last month, we told you how Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) and new coach Jeff Herron were experiencing an influx of talent and facing one of the nation’s top schedules.

Grayson opens its season with IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) on Aug. 26, a televised game that’s part of the GEICO ESPN High School Kickoff. Grayson also will play Deerfield Beach, Fla., Georgia state playoff teams McEachern (Powder Springs) and Archer (Lawrenceville) and another possible TV opponent in Hoover, Ala., which has won three state titles in the past four years.

Grayson already had a number of high-end players and then added wide receiver/cornerback Deangelo Gibbs; four-star Breon Dixon linebacker crossed over from Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee); five-star defensive back Jamyest Williams from Archer (Lawrenceville); and four-star offensive tackle Tony Gray from Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville).

According to reports from 247Sports, the run of new talent is continuing as Michigan running back commit Kurt Taylor and 2019 defensive tackle Tru Thompson have enrolled. Taylor played for Newton (Covington, Ga.) and Thompson was at Griffin, Ga.

Taylor is 5-9 and 200 pounds with 4.48 speed. He committed to Michigan in October and is ranked among the top 50 running back prospects in the Class of 2017. He ran for 1,169 yards and 16 touchdowns last fall.

Thompson is listed as 5-11, 330 pounds and has a Florida State offer.

Jack Sears. (Photo: 247Sports.com)

San Clemente (Calif.) QB Jack Sears,one of the top uncommitted quarterbacks in the class of 2017, is looking to reach decision by next month. He has recently visited Cal and Washington, and he has also seen USC and UCLA. He has a trip planned for Texas A&M, as well.

Sears, who locked up a spot at next month’s The Opening in Oregon, talks about the recruiting process, what he has learned this week, his projected commitment date and more with USA TODAY Sports’ Dave Schmulenson.

Q: So you’re one of the few uncommitted ones out here at the Nike Elite 11. Who are your top choices?

A: As of right now, I’m not sure of my top choices. I’m taking a couple more visits in the upcoming weeks to narrow it down hopefully to two or three.

Q: So you said you’re visiting Texas A&M, and there’s Duke. Who else is on your radar?

USC, UCLA, Washington, and Utah are still on my radar, as of right now.

Q: When you look at school are you looking for more of a spread-style offense or pro-style offense?

A: For me, I’m looking for the best fit and how I see myself in their offense. Everyone has something different to offer. A lot of them run similar offenses, so it’s more the coaching staff and how I see myself there.

Q: What would you say is the best attribute of your game?

A: My ability to make plays when things break down.

Q: What do you want to work on most for the upcoming season?

A: I really want to work on the mental side of the game—understanding defenses, their coverages, and also their fronts. So when I get to college I’ll be more prepared for what they’re going to ask me to do.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about football?

A: I think everyone says competition, but I love the off the field work, the lonely work as Coach (Trent) Dilfer calls it.

Q: Is that the work in the weight room? Or studying film? 

A: I love studying film, but I also love speed and agility training, as well.

Q: When you’re not playing football, what do you like to do for fun?

A: I like to golf and just hang out with friends, like a normal high school kid.

Q: When do you think you’ll make your college choice?

A: I’m hoping to make my decision in July at some point.

Q: What would you say is the best thing you’ve learned from the past couple days so far?

A: They do a great job of making you a better quarterback while you’re out here, but they do a tremendous job of making you realize you’re much more than a quarterback. You come out of this a better man.

Q: Who do you model your game after, if you could pick any quarterback out there? Who would you say you’re most like?

A: I don’t model my game after anyone, but I’ve looked up to Tom Brady since I was little because I’m a Patriots fan. I kind of just play my style, a unique style.

Pitchers Jason Groome and Riley Pint are listed as the top high school prospects for this week’s Major League Baseball Draft, but if the Philadelphia Phillies selected a prep player with the No. 1 overall pick, don’t expect it to be either of them.

Indications are the Phillies are looking for a hitter, although many mock drafts have Florida left-hander A.J. Puk going No. 1. That puts the focus on a group that includes Mercer University outfielder Kyle Lewis, Louisville outfielder Corey Ray and Tennessee third baseman Nick Senzel among college players, and La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) outfielder Mickey Moniak and Chaminade (Canoga Park, Calif.) outfielder Blake Rutherford among high schoolers.

“We’ve been talking to the various players, and their advisors and we’re got some final looks at some guys in the last week,” Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said. “I think the most important thing is we’re trying to prepare for an entire draft. Not just for one pick. But obviously the first pick is an important one.”

RELATED: ALL-USA Watch, Mickey Moniak

Moniak, who is signed with UCLA, has emerged as a later entrant into the conversation for No. 1 overall. He also creates an interesting scenario because of the allotted pool money for the No. 1 overall pick. Analysts suggest he might be willing to take than the full allotment because he would still make more than if he were selected later in the Top 10.

“If a high school player goes No. 1 overall to the Phillies, it will be Mickey,” said Jim Callis, senior writer for MLB.com and MLBPipeline.com. “In this draft especially, most of the guys will move to the corners. He is someone who can stay up the middle in centerfield.

La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) center fielder Mickey Moniak could be the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft. (Photo: Heather Joy Flannigan Moniak).

“He’s a plus defender, he can really run and he’s one of the best hitters in the draft. He doesn’t have big-time power, but he’s also not just a slappy guy. He can hit 12-15 homers. For a high school guy, he’s very polished and provides positional value and hitting ability. You’ve got a solid regular. His floor is very high and his ceiling is very high.”

La Costa Canyon coach Justin Machado says Moniak “will be a leadoff guy and a center fielder wherever he goes.

“His first step as a defender is amazing,” Machado said. “He has a nose for the ball and can read swings pretty well.”

RELATED: Ranking the top HS players available in the draft

Melissa Lockard, the MLB editor at Scout.com, said consistency is what has separated Moniak from the other high school position players.

“Every time scouts came out to see him, they seem to love him more,” she said. “You always got the same level of play. He can do everything pretty well.

“There’s not one super standout tool, but he gets good marks in pretty much every category. He looks like he can stick in centerfield, hit around .300, hit double digits in home runs and stolen bases and be a good defender. He’s shown more and more than he’s got the skill set to stay in that position and provide that kind of offense.”

A year ago at this time, the title of best high school position player belonged to Rutherford.

“I don’t think he’s slipped terribly,” Callis said. “I do think one thing people hold against him is he is 19 for a high school guy. You’re still talking about a guy winds up as a corner outfielder and profiles very well. Some team like him a little bit less than they did coming into the year, but it’s not a huge difference. It’s more Moniak pushing himself up than Rutherford pushing himself back.”

Lockard suggested Rutherford is a victim of having been so good for so long.

“When you’e the No. 1 guy for so long, it’s hard to keep people’s interest for the whole time. There tends to be some fatigue when someone has been that closely scouted for so long. There’s no reason that he falls, other than that he’s a little older than most high school seniors.”

Jaylen Pitre (Photo: 247Sports)

Amid the firing of coach Art Briles amid scandal at Baylor, five of the Bears’ six football commits in the Class of 2017 decommitted.

The one who remains: Stafford (Texas) three-star safety Jalen Pitre.

The reason?

“The education hasn’t changed,” Pitre told the Houston Chronicle. “My coach is still there. Coach Briles is a big part, but I didn’t feel like he was the whole reason I committed in the first place.”

The Baylor safeties coach is Cris Dishman, a 13-year NFL veteran who has spent two years at Baylor. He was named safeties coach in January 2015.

Pitre, who committed to Baylor last July, is ranked among the top 50 safeties in the nation and among the top 100 in Texas, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Pitre’s Stafford teammate, four-star wide receiver Hezekiah Jones decommitted from Baylor after Briles was fired. He told the Chronicle that he is still considering Baylor but wants to see what happens. He has more than 25 offers, including Alabama, Auburn, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Oklahoma.

“(Recruiting) just started to pick up again,” Jones told the Chronicle. “It’s really the same, but more (schools) are starting to come in. I haven’t set up any recruiting visits yet. (This summer) will probably consist of a lot more visits than what it was going to.”

The biggest loss in the class was the decommitment of quarterback Kellen Mond, the San Antonio area native who is playing at IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). Mond is considering Auburn, Ohio State and Texas A&M.

Bellevue football coach Butch Goncharoff

Bellevue (Wash.) football has been banned from the postseason for four years by the KingCo Conference following an extensive investigation that uncovered multiple violations, including illegal recruiting, money provided to players’ families, payments to coaches without approval of the district, and the use of false addresses by players to be eligible.

One of the most successful programs in Washington — winning 11 state titles in 15 years — Bellevue football also cannot accept donations from outside sources for four years. That includes money and equipment. That follows allegations against the Bellevue booster club.

KingCo also set greater oversight and restrictions on transfers for the next two years; banned Bellevue from playing out-of-state opponents for four years; and barred the program from playing non-league games and limited the program to only 3A league games for two years. The Bellevue athletic department is on probation for four years.

Left still to be determined is whether Bellevue will be forced to forfeit its state titles.

“This begins the discussion of the penalty phase of the violations, and there are several steps working through that process,” Mike Colbrese, WIAA executive director, told The Seattle Times.

RELATED: Former Microsoft trying to save coach’s job

Bellevue had issues a 68-page report in which it outlined violations and suggested sanctions.

Bellevue can appeal to the KingCo principals within five school days and then can take appeals further to the executive board of the SeaKing District and potentially the executive board of the state association.

School district officials have already said they are seeking to terminate the contract of longtime coach Butch Goncharoff for violating district policies.

In a statement, Goncharoff said, “This is another example of the incredibly flawed process that has been guiding this investigation for months. There are absolutely no facts to support KingCo’s conclusion — they have foolishly relied on the false inferences of the WIAA’s original report.

“Further, let me reiterate that I was completely cleared by my district of any wrongdoing, and then was denied the right to articulate my case to this conference. But worst of all, this decision is unfair to the players who are the heart and soul of this program. To deny them the ability to compete with their peers is wrong and goes against every principle of youth sports.”

In response to the penalties, the booster club said, in part:

“It appears the conference adopted – without a critical eye — the flawed rule interpretations and false inferences on which the WIAA report was based … Supporting athletics, the arts, and other extracurricular activities is precisely what the community should be doing, and the conference’s action sets a precedent that should raise a red flag to everyone. We will continue to defend our right, and the right of booster clubs around the state, to make these activities available to kids.”

Jontay Porter, a top 15 power forward in the Class of 2018, committed to Washington last August, partly because of his family’s long relationship with Huskies coach Lorenzo Romar.

That was before his father took a job as an assistant coach with the Huskies. The 6-8 Porter played at Father Tolton (Columbia) and will be transferring to a school in the Pacific Northwest.

Among his next steps will be trying to convince his brother, Michael, to follow he and dad. Michael Porter Jr., ranked among the top 5 players in the Class of 2017, has narrowed his list to five: Washington, Virginia, Indiana, Missouri and Oklahoma.

According to the Seattle Times, Michael was scheduled to take an official visit to the Washington campus this week and he, his brother and father also are planning to scout potential high schools. The remainder of the family is expected to remain in Missouri.

According to the report, O’Dea High is considered the favorite for the brother. O’Dea was the Class 3A state runner-up. Michael Porter Jr. told USA TODAY High School Sports this spring that he also was interested in Garfield and Seattle Prep.

The brothers led Father Tolton to a Missouri Class 3 championship last season and whichever school lands them immediately moves to the top of the list among state title contenders in Washington.

When it comes to high school players and the Major League Baseball Draft, the buzzword is “signability.” As rumors swirl about what sort of bonus a player is seeking, his draft stock can rise and fall. After all, a team doesn’t want to use a first-round pick on a player whom it is unable to sign and opts instead to go to college.

MORE: Everything you need to know about the MLB draft

Given the team salary allotments for picks in the first 10 rounds, one factor to watch is that a player could actually make more money by being drafted in the early part of the second round than if here were selected in the middle of Round 1. The strength of this draft is the middle of Round 1 rather than the top, meaning some players selected in the top 10-15 picks could end up getting lesser bonuses than allotted for the slot, meaning teams could shift money to players selected a bit later.

With the draft set to begin Thursday, here are three potential first-round picks out of high school who could be difficult to sign:

DREW MENDOZA, 3B, Lake Minneola (Minneola, Fla.)

Mendoza could be a late first-round pick. At 6-4, he projects as a third baseman at the next level as he grows and his power numbers increase. Mendoza also was the leading scorer on his school’s basketball team this past season.

“Drew Mendoza seems intent on going to Florida State and could be tough to sign,” MLBPipeline senior writer and draft analyst Jim Callis said. “If he doesn’t go in the first 40 picks, we know he was unsignable. He might not go in the first 40 rounds if he doesn’t go in the first 40 picks.”

JOEY WENTZ, P, Shawnee Mission East (Kan.)

Wentz was 9-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 104 strikeouts with 12 walks and seven hits allowed this spring. He did not allow a hit in his first four starts. He hit .392 with 22 RBI and 25 runs in 75 at-bats. A Virginia commit, the 6-5 Wentz routinely has hit 90-95 this spring – an increase of about 5 mph from last spring – and become more consistent and crisper with his pitches.

RELATED: Joey Wentz has been Dr. No for Shawnee Mission East baseball

MATT MANNING, P, Sheldon (Sacramento)

The son of former NBA player Rich Manning, Matt could be a two-sport star at Loyola Marymount in basketball and baseball should he go to college. At 6-6, Manning made a quick rise in the eyes of scouts this spring after the start of his season was delayed by basketball. His fastball hits 96-97 and he has a powerful curve.

“Matt Manning is a guy who may take a lot of money to get to him sign,” Scout.com MLB editor Melissa Lockard said. “There are rumors of a $4-5 million bonus that he’s asking for. Sometimes those things get overstated. … His dad was an NBA player and he has that two-sport ability. He’s not necessarily a future NBA player, but he has a lot of options.”

Eighteen newcomers are ranked in the latest Scout 100 for the basketball Class of 2017 released Wednesday.

The highest among them are AAU teammates for DC Premier in the Under Armour Association.

Naji Marshall, a 6-6 wing from Roosevelt (Washington, D.C.) checks in at No. 51, and Nate Watson, a 6-8 post player from Bishop O’Connell (Upper Marlboro, Md.) is No. 58.

They are joined by Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Savion Flagg, Kevin Samuel, Nathan Reuvers, Justin Smith, Kyle Young, Isaiah Washington, Alex O’Connell, Lance Thomas, Abu Kigab, Saben Lee, Chris Lykes, Myles Cale, Elias Harden, Bourama Sidibe and Dajour Dickens.

Of the top 100, 28 were named five stars with the remaining 62 and 37 unranked players making four-star status.

The top six of the rankings remained unchanged with big men in the top three spots.

Led by No. 1 overall DeAndre Ayton, the 7-footer from Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix). Ayton is averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds for Cal Supreme on the Nike EYBL circuit.

Mohamed Bomba, a 6-11 forward from Westtown (West Chester, Pa.), is No. 2, followed by 6-10 forward Wendell Carter Jr. from Pace Academy in Atlanta.

Point guard Trevon Duval from Advanced Prep in Dallas is No. 4; forward Michael Porter, who is moving to the Seattle area, is No. 5; and Kevin Knox, a small forward from Tampa Catholic, is No. 6.

And the escalation involving the dueling satellite camps in New Jersey on Wednesday continues.

According to NJ Advance Media, operations staff arrived at Paramus Catholic on Wednesday morning to find Rutgers magnets across the fields, a teddy bear and Rutgers paper packets on the 50-yard line. Paramus president James Vail called the actions vandalism.

Paramus Catholic is scheduled to host 650 players  Wednesday evening as part of a satellite camp run by the Michigan football staff. Meanwhile, at roughly the same time, the staffs from Rutgers, Ohio State and Temple will hold a camp at Fairleigh Dickinson, also for about 650 players.

The Michigan camp was announced first before Rutgers responded. New Rutgers coach Chris Ash is a former assistant to Urban Meyer at Ohio State and is using Meyer’s star power to help attract players to their camp. The situation also has led to New Jersey high school coaches taking sides in terms of which camp they have urged their players to attend.

Police were called in to investigate. Paramus Catholic already intended a heavy security presence at the camp.

Jason Groome is one of the top prospects available in the MLB draft. (Photo: Asbury Park Press)

The 2016 MLB draft begins Thursday night in New Jersey, with the first and second rounds televised on MLB Network. The Philadelphia Phillies have the first pick, and only first-year players are available. There will be 40 rounds, with the draft ending Saturday.

High school seniors, upper-class collegiate players, junior college players, and eligible international prospects are available to be taken.

Below is everything you need to know.

MUST-READ STORIES

• Top 30 baseball prospects for June MLB draft
• What to expect in Round 1
• The quest for a 100-mph fastball: Can MLB prospects safely develop velocity?
• Ranking the top high school players available in Major League Baseball draft
• New rule allows high schoolers drafted by MLB to hire agents
• UCLA commit and potential MLB draft 1st-rounder Blake Rutherford growing into superstar
• Plum (Pittsburgh) pitcher Alex Kirilloff has a tough choice to make
• Reports: Potential HS top-10 MLB draft pick Delvin Perez fails drug test
• 3 high school MLB draft prospects who could be tough to sign
• Potential top 10 pick Jason Groome looking forward to draft, not ruling out Vandy
• Could high school outfielder Mickey Moniak be No. 1 overall in MLB Draft?
• Feeling the heat: For better or worse, radar gun rules modern baseball

What: MLB first-year player draft
Where: Secaucus, N.J.
When and how to watch

• Thursday, June 9, 7 p.m. ET, 1st round and 2nd Round, MLB Network
• Friday, June 10, 1 p.m. ET, Rounds 3-10, MLB.com
• Saturday, June 11, noon ET, Rounds 11-40, MLB.com

For those planning to tune in Thursday, it should be quite a show on MLB Network. There will be draft representatives from each team, as well as numerous analysts poring over the first two rounds.

Here, from MLB.com, are each team’s draft representatives:

ARI: Orlando Hudson, Jim Marshall
ATL: Ralph Garr, Ryan Klesko
BAL: Brian Roberts, Tripp Norton
BOS: Luis Tiant, Willie Romay
CHC: Ted Lilly
CWS: Harold Baines, Kevin Coe
CIN: Tom Browning
CLE: Chad Ogea
COL: Jeff Francis, Michael Kent
DET: Alan Trammell, Murray Cook
HOU: Morgan Ensberg, Mike Wickham
KC: Chris Getz, Art Stewart
LAA: Jim Abbott, Ryan Leahy
LAD: Tommy Lasorda, Lon Joyce
MIA: Jeff Conine
MIL: Ben Sheets, Gord Ash
MIN: Brad Radke, John Wilson
NYM: John Franco
NYY: Andy Pettitte, Mike Thurman
OAK: Dallas Braden
PHI: Mike Lieberthal, Wade
PIT: Jason Bay, Freddy Sanchez
SD: Dick Enberg, Willie Bosque
SFG: Gene Clines, Gary Davenport
SEA: Jamie Moyer
STL: Ryan Ludwick
TB: Andy Sonnanstine, Lou Wieben
TEX: Ivan Rodriguez
TOR: Jesse Barfield
WAS: Bob Boone, Johnny DiPuglia

The American Family Insurance ALL-USA softball team for the 2015-16 season was selected based on performance, level of competition and strength of schedule.

Click through the gallery below to meet the Second Team selections:

MORE:

ALL-USA First Team

ALL-USA Honorable Mention

Player of the Year: Ashlee Swindle, Curry (Jasper, Ala.)

Coach of the Year: Ashley Barber-Strunk, Sherwood (Sandy Spring, Md.)

The American Family Insurance ALL-USA softball team for the 2015-16 season was selected based on performance, level of competition and strength of schedule.

MORE:

ALL-USA First Team

ALL-USA Second Team

ALL-USA Honorable Mention

Player of the Year: Ashlee Swindle, Curry (Jasper, Ala.)

Sherwood High School’s Ashley Barber-Strunk is the 2016 ALL-USA Softball Coach of the Year (Photo: Gary Peters)

Coach of the Year:

Name: Ashley Barber-Strunk
School: Sherwood (Sandy Spring, Md.)
Record: 20-0

In her first three years in charge, Barber-Strunk has yet to lose a game as head coach of the Warriors. That’s 60 wins, zero losses, and three Maryland Class 4A state titles under her watch.

Overall, Sherwood owns a state-record 103-game winning streak and has won five state championships in a row — a streak that began under previous coach Pat Flanagan. But the Warriors are Barber-Strunk’s team now, and the success has caught the attention of one famous Sherwood alum.

Just how dominant were the Warriors in 2016? They allowed 10 runs all year, with seven coming in a victory against rival Northwest (Germantown, Md.). The two runs Sherwood surrendered in the title-game triumph against Chopticon (Morganza, Md.) were the only runs the squad allowed in its final eight games.

The battery of senior pitcher Jaime Schmier and junior catcher Brittany Mathis led the way on the field while Barber-Strunk steered the ship from the dugout, guiding the Warriors to No. 8 in the USA TODAY High School Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Super 25 rankings.

The American Family Insurance ALL-USA softball team for the 2015-16 season was selected based on performance, level of competition and strength of schedule.

In all, 24 states are included in the 40-member squad, with California leading the way with six selections. Texas has four representatives, while there are two each from North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida, Louisiana, Indiana, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Alabama — including American Family Insurance ALL-USA Player of the Year Ashlee Swindle.

Click through the gallery below to meet the First Team selections:

MORE:

ALL-USA Second Team

ALL-USA Honorable Mention

Player of the Year: Ashlee Swindle, Curry (Jasper, Ala.)

Coach of the Year: Ashley Barber-Strunk, Sherwood (Sandy Spring, Md.)

PRESEASON: ALL-USA Preseason Softball Team

LOOKBACK: 2014-15 ALL-USA Softball Teams

The American Family Insurance ALL-USA softball team for the 2015-16 season was selected based on performance, level of competition and strength of schedule.

MORE:

ALL-USA First Team

ALL-USA Second Team

Player of the Year: Ashlee Swindle, Curry (Jasper, Ala.)

Coach of the Year: Ashley Barber-Strunk, Sherwood (Sandy Spring, Md.)

Haley Donaldson of Colorado’s Fossil Ridge (Photo: Coloradoan)

HONORABLE MENTION (listed in alphabetical order):

Player, Pos., High School (Location), Year, College

Jocelyn Alo, C, Campbell (Ewa Beach, Hawaii), Junior, Cal-Berkeley

Mackenzie Boesel, SS, Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.), Senior, South Carolina

Lauren Burke, SS/C, Marist Catholic (Eugene, Ore.), Junior, Oregon

Hayley Busby, 3B, O’Connor (Phoenix), Junior, Virginia

Haley Cashwell, SS, Cape Fear (Fayetteville, N.C.), Junior, UNC-Wilmington

Haley Donaldson, SS, Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins, Colo.), Senior, Nebraska

Nerissa Eason, P, Bear River (Grass Valley, Calif.), Senior, Oregon State

Hannah Edwards, OF, Catasauqua (Pa.), Senior, Pittsburgh

Blake-Ann Fritsch, SS, La Grange (Texas), Senior, Texas A&M

Maggie Gallagher, SS/3B, Kennedy Catholic (Burien, Wash.), Senior, Washington

Alexee Haynes, 3B/P, Sissonville (W.Va.), Senior, Pittsburgh

Caroline Hedgcock, P, Downers Grove South (Downers Grove, Ill.), Senior, Arkansas

Bailey Hemphill, C/3B, St. Thomas More (Lafayette, La.), Senior, Alabama

Jenna Holcomb, OF, Los Alamitos (Calif.), Senior, Tennessee

Alexis Holloway, P, Crown Point (Ind.), Junior, Notre Dame

Olivia Kinsey, P, Park Hill South (Riverside, Mo.), Junior, Oregon

Lauren Mathis, P, West Orange (Winter Garden, Fla.), Junior, Georgia

Ashley Morgan, P/1B, Chapel Hill (Douglasville, Ga.), Junior, Tennessee

Kaylee Tow, OF, North Hopkins (Madisonville, Ky.), Junior, Alabama

Missy Zoch, P, La Grange (Texas), Senior, DePaul

The American Family Insurance ALL-USA softball team for the 2015-16 season was selected based on performance, level of competition and strength of schedule.

MORE:

ALL-USA First Team

ALL-USA Second Team

ALL-USA Honorable Mention

Coach of the Year: Ashley Barber-Strunk, Sherwood (Sandy Spring, Md.)

Curry’s Ashlee Swindle is the ALL-USA Softball Player of the Year (Dennis Victory/AL.com)

Name: Ashlee Swindle

Position: Pitcher

School: Curry (Jasper, Ala.)

Year: Senior

College: Auburn

It took 94 years for Curry High School to earn its first Alabama state championship in any sport when Swindle led the Yellow Jackets to last year’s Class 4A title. Swindle didn’t make the Curry faithful wait long for title No. 2.

The right-handed pitcher cemented her legendary status by leading the Yellow Jackets back to the championship this spring, earning MVP honors of the Class 4A tournament after posting shutouts in the semifinal and final.

Not only has Swindle put Curry on the map in Alabama, the Yellow Jackets are making national waves, having reached No. 1 in the USA TODAY High School Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Super 25 rankings for a portion of the season.

Overall, Swindle finished 45-2 with a 0.59 ERA and 385 strikeouts in an outrageous 262.2 innings of work. She held opponents to a .132 batting average and walked just 34 batters to post a strikeout-to-walk ratio north of 11 to 1. Not only that, she eclipsed the 1,000-strikeout mark for her career in the state semifinal victory.

But pitching was only part of the equation. She also hit .557 and slugged .935 thanks to 13 homers and 14 doubles while driving in 86 runs. She reached base in 47 of her team’s 49 games.

“It’s my senior year, so I wanted to go out with a bang,” Swindle told AL.com after the title-game triumph.

By bringing a second state championship trophy back to Curry, Swindle certainly accomplished that.

Days after Owen Pappoe competed at The Nike Opening regional in the Atlanta area in March, he said he thought he should have been the first freshman to ever receive an invitation to The Opening Finals in Oregon.

It took some time, but Pappoe got his wish this week. Organizers added him to the group of 166 of the nation’s best who will compete at Nike World Headquarters in July. And yes, he is the first freshman invited.

“I wasn’t expecting it because I thought I was too young,” Pappoe told USA TODAY High School Sports. “It feels great to know that I’m the first ever freshman to make it. I’m very honored and going to make the best of this opportunity.”

RecruitDiaries.com: Owen Pappoe in his own words on offseason, recruiting and more

Pappoe’s nickname is “The Freak” and he showed why at the regional. Pappoe — a linebacker for Grayson in Loganville, Ga. — was named the SPARQ ratings MVP and had the highest total at the camp (128.22). It was the highest for any freshman ever and also any linebacker ever. His vertical was 39 inches, he ran a 4.57 forty and a 4.12 shuttle, threw the power ball 42.5 feet.

He has more than 30 scholarship offers as he finishes his freshman year. Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Tennessee are the schools Pappoe named as coming after him the hardest right now.

He has big offseason plans, and those plans now include The Opening.

“I’m ready to compete and show the world what I can do against top competition,” he said.

Shareef O’Neal, a forward in the class of 2018 and the son of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, continues to shine for Cal Supreme on the AAU circuit.

RELATED: Shaquille O’Neal’s son, Shareef, says he plans to work with Kobe Bryant

RELATED: Shareef O’Neal, Shaq’s son, shows his game during Nike EYBL

Check out the latest from Shareef at the Pangos All-American Camp, courtesy of CourtsideFilms.com.

Shawn Robinson is ranked as the No. 4 dual-threat quarterback in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite and has been committed to TCU for almost a year.

But before he gets to TCU, Robinson is hoping to lead his new high school to a state championship. Robinson transferred from Denton Guyer to DeSoto in Texas after his mother took the position as head girls basketball coach at DeSoto. UIL rules allow for the transfer of students to a school where a parent works. He will be eligible immediately.

USA TODAY Sports’ Dave Schmulenson caught up with Robinson at the Elite 11 Finals in California last week to talk TCU, his senior season and what he likes to do off the field in the video above.

The strength at the top of the first round of Major League Baseball’s draft on Thursday is high school pitching. That creates a challenge for general managers, because high school pitching also is the riskiest position to draft.

Beyond that, there is a question as to whether this draft has a standout No. 1 overall pick. Most mock drafts have the Philadelphia Phillies selecting Florida lefthander A.J. Puk, although a hitter could be an option and potentially one from high school.

MORE: Everything you need to know about the MLB draft

“The strength in this draft is in the middle half of the top 40,” said Melissa Lockard, MLB editor for Scout.com. “The first 10-15 picks haven’t necessarily separated from the middle. That makes it a little bit difficult because you’re looking at a pick who could be No. 15 as easily as he could be No. 7.

“There’s been a bigger differentiation in the past because this year there are so many high school pitchers in that top group. There are varying opinions on what a high school pitcher can do and the safety of that type of pick. The right-handed pitchers in general from high school seem stronger.”

And therein lies the rub.

“The deepest thing in this draft is high school pitchers — six of our top 13 are high school pitchers,” said Jim Callis, senior writer for MLBPipeline.com and a draft analyst. “The demographic the industry is most skittish about is high school pitching because of injury risk. Two years ago, high school pitchers went 1-2 (Brady Aiken and Tyler Kolek) and both have had Tommy John surgery. Maybe high schools guys who throw in the mid-90s, they’re bodies aren’t able to hold up as much. Teams are just leery off taking high school pitchers.”