Those teams hoping to sneak their way through the big-school softball bracket won't have the luxury of missing the big guns when the state tournament begins Friday at Aurora Sports Park. No large-scale surprises occurred in regionals, meaning defending champion Legacy again is among the fold along with runner-up Bear Creek - and each returns its pitcher from last season. And did we mention top overall seed Rocky Mountain, the 2006 state champion?

In addition, six Jefferson County League teams qualified among the field of 16, as the league tries to end its four-year title drought.

While Rocky Mountain pitcher Aubree Maul undoubtedly gives the Lobos a prime chance for their second title in three seasons, it will be tough to pick against Legacy to repeat, particularly after hearing All-Colorado pitcher Shelby Babcock describe this season's squad.

"I feel like this year's team has jelled more, jelled a bit better than last year," Babcock said. "Not saying that last year wasn't a good year, but I feel like this year is more like a family."

* Top pitchers: Babcock has been her amazing self, posting an 18-1 mark with an 0.19 ERA and 234 strikeouts for the Lightning. . . . Maul enters state with a 17-0 mark and a 1.09 ERA. . . . Two Continental League pitchers have posted double-take numbers: Kelly Unkrich of Mountain Vista (17-1, 148 strikeouts) and Kaitlin York of Highlands Ranch (14-2, 100 strikeouts). . . . Kelsey O'Brien started off slow because of injuries to both wrists, but the Columbine senior (11-4, 0.76 ERA, 175 strikeouts) looks now to be in peak form. . . . Meaghan Murphy guided Ralston Valley to the 4A title last season and has compiled a 12-7 mark with an 0.89 ERA in her first season in 5A. . . . The season was up and down for Grandview's Hayden Snyder (12-9, 168 strikeouts), but she helped the Wolves reach the tournament. . . . After a rough first week, Bear Creek senior Mallorie Sulaski has helped the Bears win 16 of their past 17.

* Top hitters: Legacy sophomore catcher Buggs Torrez hit a home run in the state tournament last season and her prowess carried over to this fall, where she has batted .647 with four homers and 35 RBI. . . . Xia Wilson has driven in 37 runs for Rocky Mountain, the highest total for any player whose team qualified for the tournament. Maul has been a force at the plate, too (.547, four homers, 31 RBI). . . . Highlands Ranch's Tahnea Leeling has hit seven homers, a total that trails only the 11 of Liberty's Raquel Howes, whose team was eliminated in regionals. . . . Rachel Romine (.500, five homers) has been one of the catalysts for surprising Grand Junction Central. . . . Arvada West center fielder Mikey Kenney (.467, 21 RBI) had another solid year for the Wildcats.

* Overview: While it's difficult to pick against the top seeds, recent history in the classification suggests bracket busters are prone to come along. Don't forget, 13th-seeded Eaglecrest won the title in 2005 and scrappy Loveland overthrew powerful Wheat Ridge the year before. Things have returned to form the past two seasons with teams among the favorites capturing the hardware, but don't fill out your bracket with a pen until the final out of each game is made.

Get in the game

* Do you want to see more pictures and feel the emotion from the week's top game? Check out the new Rocky Preps Remix each weekend at RockyPreps.com.

The new photo/video feature offers a unique look at the games the state's high school athletes play. Previous games are posted at the site.

Rocky Preps Remix will be at the state softball tournament Friday.

Look for it this weekend at RockyPreps.com.