Press-Telegram Previews Top High School Softball Teams in the Area

Los Alamitos, La Mirada, and Millikan lead the preseason rankings

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Press-Telegram has released its 2026 high school softball preview, highlighting the top teams and players to watch in the upcoming season. Los Alamitos, led by sophomore ace Jaliane Brooks, is ranked number one after winning the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 title last year. La Mirada and Millikan round out the top three, with both teams returning key players and looking to make deep playoff runs.

Why it matters

High school softball is a beloved spring sport in the Long Beach area, with passionate fans and a rich history of successful programs. This preview provides an early look at the teams and players expected to dominate the local softball landscape in 2026, building anticipation for the upcoming season and the fierce competition to come.

The details

Los Alamitos returns its star sophomore pitcher Jaliane Brooks, who led the Griffins to a CIF-Southern Section Division 2 title as a freshman. The Matadores of La Mirada are led by junior national recruits Riley Hilliard and Reese Hilliard, both committed to major Division I programs. Millikan is seeking its sixth straight Moore League title, led by senior Riley McAndrew, who is transitioning to the mound after playing infield for her first three seasons.

  • The 2026 high school softball season is set to begin in late February.
  • The CIF-Southern Section playoffs will take place in May and June.

The players

Jaliane Brooks

The sophomore pitcher is the ace of the Los Alamitos Griffins, leading the team to a CIF-Southern Section Division 2 title as a freshman.

Riley Hilliard

The junior catcher for La Mirada is a national recruit committed to the University of Oklahoma.

Reese Hilliard

The junior infielder for La Mirada is a national recruit committed to Stanford University.

Riley McAndrew

The senior for Millikan is transitioning from infielder to become one of the team's top pitchers after committing to George Washington University.

Ki'ele Ho-Ching

The senior shortstop for Long Beach Poly signed with the University of Oklahoma after leading the Jackrabbits to the program's first CIF-Southern Section Division 4 title.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The 2026 high school softball season in the Long Beach area promises to be an exciting one, with several powerhouse programs and elite-level talent set to battle it out for league titles and CIF-Southern Section championships. Fans can look forward to intense rivalries, standout individual performances, and the continued growth of the sport in the region.