A year of HS Physics is often recommended because it is a foundational science. Even if you are not a STEM major, a solid HS-level knowledge of Physics may be useful in many other academic and professional contexts.
But I don’t think it matters what year you take it. The point is selective colleges want to know you will be well-prepared to thrive in your college classes, and so sometimes recommend classes for that purpose. But I don’t think they will need to see a grade in Physics in order to make a positive admissions decisions.