There will be a lot of familiar names at Caswell Park in North Mankato on Thursday and Friday for the girls’ softball state tournament. Sixteen of the 24 teams playing in the three classes also played in last year’s tournament. Classes 3A and 1A are almost identical.

This isn’t by coincidence, and Stillwater veteran coach Bob Beedle is convinced the trend will continue. Beedle’s Ponies, the defending Class 3A champions, are part of a group he believes has figured out a formula to continually be among the elite programs in the state.

“I definitely think there are some programs that are doing things the right way,’’ he said. “They are fundamentally strong, well-coached, and really know the game.’’

In Class 3A, that group of returning teams includes Stillwater, Maple Grove, Farmington, Bloomington Jefferson, Forest Lake and Orono. In Class 2A, defending champ New Ulm, St. Anthony Village and Kasson-Mantorville return.

Returning Class 1A teams include Cherry, New Life Academy of Woodbury, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, New Ulm Cathedral, Red Lake Falls, Blooming Prairie and Eden Valley-Watkins.

Many of these teams are in some of the most competitive conferences in the state. Forest Lake and Stillwater both play in the Suburban East Conference, which just missed sending a third team (Hastings) to state. Beedle said his team benefits from the consistent high level of competition and is well-prepared come playoff time.

Fixing the trend

New Life Academy continued its trend of playing in state tournaments — eight consecutive — but is focused on fixing another trend of sorts. The Eagles’ streak of four consecutive Class 1A titles ended when they placed fourth last season. They are eager to get back on top and will start their quest with a first-round game against Cherry, the defending champion.

Sophomore Valerie Hohol will play a big role. She led New Life Academy with a .554 batting average and 21 RBI. As the team’s pitcher, she posted a 16-3 record with 128 strikeouts.

No rematch

There won’t be a rematch of the 2012 Class 3A final. If Maple Grove and Stillwater win their quarterfinals, they will meet in Thursday’s 5 p.m. semifinal.

Scheduling conflicts

Commencement ceremonies once again overlap with Thursday’s long day of softball. Any second-round games involving Orono (noon), Bloomington Jefferson (2 p.m.) or Rockford (3:30 p.m.) will be played at those times to allow athletes to participate in graduation.