HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: PREP DISTRICT SOFTBALL OPENS ACTION TODAY

The top seeds are the "usual suspects" as area high school softball teams gear up for district play.

Action kicks off today for Class 4A, with classes 3A and 2A teams getting under way Thursday.

An oddity of the Class 1A playoffs is Delta, in its first year of fall softball, is guaranteed an appearance in the championship game since there are only two teams in its district. Delta (6-10) meets host Naylor for the crown and a chance to advance at 1 p.m. Friday.

All the district champions advance to sectional games next week. Following is a preview of how the districts shape up:

Class 4A, District 1

(at Arena Park, Cape Girardeau)

Cape Central (19-6) earned the top seed over rival Jackson (11-15), which had held that position for the past two years. Jackson justified its ranking by winning the district title each of those years.

"I think it'll be tough, but if we play the way we're capable of playing, we'll be okay," said Cape Central coach Amy Blattel. "Jackson is playing really well now and Poplar Bluff is tough. We're not overlooking anybody."

Farmington (No. 4) takes on Sikeston (No. 5) today at 4:30 p.m. Cape Central goes against the winner of that game at 4 p.m. Thursday. Second-seeded Jackson meets third-seeded Poplar Bluff at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Winners of the semifinal matchups battle for the district championship at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Class 3A, District 1

(at Park Hills)

Top-seeded Perryville (16-9), seeking a third straight district title, is hoping to improve beyond its sectional championship in 1999. The Lady Pirates lost in the first round of the state quarterfinals last year.

Doniphan (No. 5) meets De Soto (No. 4) at 4:30 p.m. Friday, with the winner facing Perryville at 10 a.m. Saturday. Third-seeded Ste. Genevieve takes on host Park Hills Central at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The semifinal winners tangle at noon Saturday for the district championship.

All games will be contested at the Park Hills Memorial Sports Complex.

Class 2A, District 2

(at East Prairie)

Kelly, the premier 2A program in Southeast Missouri and one of the best in the state, goes after its 15th consecutive district title. The Lady Hawks (16-2), third in the state last year, are again the No. 1 seed.

Notre Dame (16-8), the second seed, figures to give Kelly its toughest competition in the tournament. The Lady Bulldogs have succumbed twice to the Lady Hawks this season by scores of 6-4 and 5-2.

"Kelly is the team to beat obviously," said Notre Dame coach Chris Janet. "We've had two competitive games with them this season and if we play as well as we can play, I think we can get them. But it's going to be tough."

St. Vincent comes in as the third seed with an 11-11 record.

East Prairie (No. 4) and Crystal City (No. 5) get the action started at 4 p.m. Thursday. The winner meets Kelly in a semifinal matchup at 4 p.m Friday. St. Vincent and Notre Dame meet in the other semifinal, at 2:30 p.m. Friday.

The winners vie for the district title at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Said Kelly coach Melanie Heuring, "We had a really good regular season and we think we have a good chance (of winning the district). But you never know. A lot of things can happen. I expect to meet Notre Dame in the finals and I expect another good game with them."