ESPN High School Sports

The following players have been added to the verbal commitment/signing list since Sunday:

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The ESPNHS spring state rankings were released every Monday throughout the spring season. The final POWERADE FAB 50 ranking appears Tuesday afternoon.

NOTES: The spring season includes the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California (spring sections), Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The number of ranking positions for each state is based on the size and competitiveness of the state.

Rankings reflect matches played through June 16 - Final.

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Region IV covers more ground than any other region, stretching from New Mexico to Montana, from Colorado to Hawaii. Next week, more than 200 teams from across the west meet in Phoenix for the US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships.

The Championships begin with group play on Monday, June 18, and continue with the knockout stages concluding on Saturday, June 23.

The tournament includes a number of interesting story lines, from an up-and-coming California club looking for its first title, to an experienced Idaho club looking to prove themselves on a national stage. This preview also highlights a handful of National Team players, a young rivalry in the Southwest, and a team looking to defend last year’s National Championship.

ESPNHS takes a look at some of this week’s top stories, top teams, and top players heading into the championships: Under-15s | Under-16s | Under-17s | Under-18s

For each of the past four years, LaRoca has won the Utah State Cup and earned a spot in the US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships. For each of the past three years, the team made it out of group play and was knocked out in the elimination rounds. This time around, the girls from Utah are taking aim at their first ever regional championship.

“A lot of teams that go to the regional events, they are just happy to be there,” says coach Tim Crompton. “But we’ve been there so many times, that anything less than winning would be a disappointment.”

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Eric Simmonsen knows his Super Nova team might get overlooked. Idaho doesn’t exactly have the soccer reputation of Southern California or Arizona. And the trip to the President’s Cup last summer might have some folks thinking this team won’t compete at the highest level.

“It gives us kind of an underdog feeling,” says Simmonsen. “We’re out to prove ourselves every time we step onto the field.”

But it wouldn’t be wise to gloss over the Idaho squad.

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If you don’t know the name FRAM Premier, you probably should. The Under-16 team’s roster includes nine Division I commitments and together they have won the South California State Cup and the Far West Regional Premier League this season. And coming into the US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships, they are one of the more feared teams in the age group.

“We have a little bit of everything,” says coach Rich Boon. “We have some very athletic players, we have some very technical players… we really have a great mix of what it takes to be successful.”

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It’s nearly 3,000 miles from Honolulu to Phoenix. It’s a six hour flight – if you’re lucky and have no layovers – and a three-hour time difference. But Leahi Premier couldn’t be happier to make the trip.

The Hawaiian State Cup champs come over to the mainland three times each year to play in tournaments, according to coach Joelle Sugai. The team competed in the Players Showcase in Las Vegas in March, and will travel to Surf Cup later this summer in San Diego. In between, they look to make waves at next week’s US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships.

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Region III spreads from North Carolina to Texas, and this week more than 200 of the region’s best teams converge in Greenville, S.C., for the US Youth Soccer Region III Championships.

The Championships begin with group play on Friday, June 15, and continue with the knockout stages concluding Wednesday, June 20.

This weekend’s story lines include returning champs with impeccable rosters, last year’s finalists who are trying to get over the hump, and teams from Louisiana, Arkansas and Alabama trying to prove their state has what it takes to win a regional title. The preview also highlights a brewing Carolina rivalry, a down-to-earth Tennessee squad and even a possible “group of death.”

ESPNHS takes a look at some of this week’s top stories, top teams and top players heading into the championships: Under-15s | Under-16s | Under-17s | Under-18s

It’s rare to see two different Gatorade Players of the Year -- from two different states -- on the same club team. But for NASA Elite of Georgia, a squad that also boasts three U.S. Soccer national player pool players and 18 college commitments, it’s just another day on the pitch.

Emily Sonnett, this year’s Georgia Girls Soccer Player of the Year, and Sara Coleman, the award winner from Mississippi, both patrol the midfield for NASA. They led the team to the Region III crown last year and coach Dave Smith says he likes their chances to do it again this year.

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NWA Lightening Strikers of Arkansas enters the weekend with unmatched experience. The squad has won their sixth consecutive Arkansas State Cup title, and is making the trip to the Region III Championships for the fourth straight year.

“I have to admit, it’s kind of a rare find,” says coach Doug Estrada, “finding that level of commitment from the girls in this area who have this kind of ability, and have competed nationally.”

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Each of the past two seasons, the Tennessee FC 96 Impact team has made the Region III Championships. And both times, they were eliminated by the eventual regional champion.

This time around coach Tommy Cochran likes his team’s chances and knows that his team is ready to play at the highest level.

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At first glance, Group C may not look all that spectacular. It features teams from Louisiana, Alabama, Oklahoma and Tennessee. But don’t be fooled by their location – this group will be one of the most intriguing this weekend at the US Youth Soccer Region III Championships.

Louisiana Fire returns to the Region III Championships this year after winning their third consecutive State Cup. And in their group they see a list of familiar opponents.

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Rewind 12 months.

This time last year, Eclipse Select’s U16 squad was the top team in the country. The team had a 10-1-1 record in the regular season and entered the Elite Clubs National League playoffs as the No. 1 overall seed.

But something went wrong. Whether it was the Colorado air, a lack of mental preparation or an injury to a star forward, Eclipse came out flat. The team lost the first game of the playoffs 1-0 to Real So Cal.

“It was devastating,” said forward Michelle Prokof. “We never want to feel like that again.”

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The ESPNHS spring state rankings will be released every Monday throughout the spring season. The POWERADE FAB 50 rankings appear on Tuesday afternoons.

NOTES: The spring season includes the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California (spring sections), Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The number of ranking positions for each state is based on the size and competitiveness of the state.

Rankings reflect matches played through June 10.

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ESPNHS soccer tracks results of the Top 25 teams in the POWERADE FAB 50 in this forum. If we are missing a result, e-mail Sheldon Shealer at Sheldon.Shealer@espn.com.

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