Bearden girls take over as nation’s top-ranked team

It was a close call between defending state champions Mount Notre Dame (Ohio) and Bearden (Tenn.) and perennial power Noblesville (Ind.) for the girls preseason FAB 50 No. 1 ranking. Unfortunately, those teams will not come in contact with each other this season. Instead, it means the slightest blemish could alter that order, and the first one came last week. Mount Notre Dame was held to a draw, which knocked the team from the top spot while Bearden moves up to No. 1 and Noblesville to No. 2. Basically, if Bearden can deliver a perfect season, there will be no reason to move the squad from the No. 1 spot. However, Noblesville, which has yet to be scored on as the season nears the midway point, is lurking in the event Bearden stumbles. On the boys side, it's status quo with St. Ignatius (Ohio) and St. Benedict's Prep (N.J.) still holding down the No. 1-2 spots, which is likely to continue until these powerhouse programs clash on Oct. 1 in New Jersey. VIEW THE COMPLETE FAB 50s -- FALL BOYS | FALL GIRLS