Can Garland return to state? Garland reached the state tournament each of the last four years, winning the 5A title in 2006 and 2007. Garland finished second in District 10-5A this season but has beaten defending 5A state champion Alvin and state-ranked Spring Branch Smithson Valley and Rowlett.

Can McKinney North continue its playoff magic? McKinney North has reached at least the regional final in 4A each of the last three years. Baylor signee Kathy Shelton (.407 average, 36 steals) was ranked as the nation's 20th-best senior by ESPNU.

A 4A strikeout shootout: How many strikeouts will there be when the area's top two strikeout pitchers – Royse City's Alicia Pille and Frisco Centennial's Shelby McCoy – meet in the first round? Pille has 330 strikeouts in 158 innings. McCoy, who struck out 21 in a 10-inning win vs. McKinney, has 320 strikeouts in 206 innings.

Erinn Jayjohn, Justin Northwest: The Mississippi signee is 19-3 with a 1.20 ERA. She's hitting .432 and has led the District 5-5A co-champion to 11 consecutive wins.

Teri Lyles, Keller: The UT-Arlington signee is 23-1 with a 0.35 ERA for the state's seventh-ranked 5A team. She leads area 5A players in strikeouts (265) and wins.

Brianna Rodriguez, Rowlett: The junior is 21-4 with a 1.27 ERA, and she pitched a no-hitter to clinch the District 10-5A title. She's hitting .533 for the state's 10th-ranked 5A team.

Kylie Roos, Celina: The Northwestern State signee led Aubrey to a state runner-up finish in 2A in 2007, and now she is 23-2 with a 0.61 ERA for Celina, the state's second-ranked 3A team.

Brittany Talley, Little Elm: The junior has committed to Arkansas. She is 21-5 with 259 strikeouts in 158 innings and leads area 4A players in ERA (0.66).

Brittany Caruthers, Midlothian: The Stephen F. Austin signee is hitting .440 with four home runs and 43 RBIs for the District 16-4A co-champion.

Taylor Hoagland, Flower Mound: The Texas signee is hitting .456 with four home runs and 29 RBIs for the District 6-5A co-champion. ESPNU ranked her the nation's 15th-best senior.

Haley Lemons, Rockwall: The Texas State signee is hitting .500 with 29 RBIs for the District 10-4A champion. Lemons will face a tough test in the first round when Rockwall plays McKinney North.

Meagan Michele, South Grand Prairie: The sophomore has hit nine home runs – most among area 5A players. She's hitting .542 for District 7-5A champion SGP, and 52 percent of her hits have gone for extra bases.

Vonnie Martin, Plano: The junior, who committed to Fresno State, is hitting .341 with four homers and 31 RBIs for the District 8-5A champion.

Denton Guyer: The District 5-4A co-champion has won 13 of its last 14. Layne Greenlee is among the 4A area leaders in batting average (.500), home runs (seven) and RBIs (50). Pitcher Kylee Crosek is 21-6 and is hitting .421.

Denton Ryan: The 5-4A co-champion has won seven in a row. Misty Dooley is hitting .455, Micah Foutch is hitting .436 with 40 RBIs, and Krystal Johnson has hit six home runs.

Flower Mound Marcus: The 6-5A co-champion has gone 22-2-2 since starting the season 1-4. Devon Wallace is hitting .516.

Forney: The state's 10th-ranked 4A team has won 22 games in a row. Ten players are hitting better than .300, paced by Tulsa signee Caitlin Everett (.508 average, 30 steals) and sophomore Hillary Steed (.487, six home runs, 45 RBIs).

Mesquite Horn: The 11-5A champion went 10-0 in district, outscoring the opposition, 106-13. Courtney Moore and Taylor Bratcher have combined for eight homers and 49 RBIs.

Frisco Wakeland: The team moved from 3A to 4A this season but finished in a three-way tie for first in District 9-4A. Kelci Garza has hit seven home runs, and pitcher Alexis Cantu is 22-5 with a 0.92 ERA and is hitting .438.

McKinney: A year after placing sixth in its district, McKinney tied for first in 9-4A and is ranked seventh in the state. Pitcher Jennifer Gilbert (20-4, .481 batting average) has committed to Ball State, shortstop Ashley Thomas (.427) has committed to Arkansas, and catcher Meredith Baker (.424, 37 RBIs) is among the 4A area leaders in RBIs.

Mesquite Poteet: Central Arkansas signee Lindsey Barsoum is hitting .560 and takes a 24-game hitting streak into the playoffs for the 15-4A runner-up. Fellow Central Arkansas signee Bradie Baker is 22-5 with a 1.45 ERA and 317 strikeouts in 173 1/3 innings.

Plano West: The 8-5A runner-up beat defending 5A champion Alvin and state-ranked Fort Bend Clements. Southern Mississippi signee Christina Roosmalen is hitting .430.

Rockwall-Heath: Chelsey Eddy is 20-6 with a 1.05 ERA for the 10-4A runner-up. Heath is No. 6 in the state and opens the playoffs vs. No. 7 McKinney.