I read recently where the Carson’s softball coach was quoted as saying, “Player for player, we’re the best team in this league.”
Hmmm.
The Cougars will get their chance to prove it Friday when they take the short jaunt up the road to East Rowan — which has a pretty decent team ranked high in the state polls — to face pitcher Chelsea White and the Mustangs in a big North Piedmont Conference matchup.
That — not the NPC baseball championship at West Iredell— is the can’t-miss game on Friday.
In fact, this is the can’t miss week for spring sports. Who’s the best will be decided in something almost every day:
• High school baseball — which draws the biggest crowds — begin its tournaments today.
In a county that prides itself not on conference titles but state championships, NPC baseball coaches weren’t happy with their showing in the F&M Classic against Cabarrus teams. Only Carson came away with a winning record at 2-1. East and West were 1-2 and South 0-3.
South had three close games it could’ve easily won. Both East losses were close. West could’ve finished 2-1 but blew a seventh-inning lead to A.L. Brown.
This week, they can all redeem themselves and get on a roll.
North Rowan, which joined football and basketball as YVC champs, start its tournament tonight at home.
Salisbury is playing its regular-season finale at East Davidson on Tuesday with second place in the CCC at stake. The tournament begins Thursday at Salisbury.
• One sport we’re used to seeing champions in is track.
Salisbury is the defending state champion in boys while the girls were second last year. The Hornets host the CCC meet on Wednesday.
Romar Morris, the “Zoomin’ Human,” is reason enough to come watch. The future North Carolina football player is the two-time champ in the 100 and 200 meters.
Does Robert Steele ever lose at North Rowan? Johnny Oglesby and Sam Starks, along with all of those talented girls like Teaunna Cuthbertson and Meloney Ramos will be hosting the YVC meet on Thursday.
The one thing we enjoy about Steele is that he gets his kids to love the sport. That’s evident by their bright socks and even brighter smiles. There are some really good kids in Spencer and Steele gets credit for a lot of that.
North is the defending 1A girls champ and the boys think they can make it a sweep this year.
And then, there’s East Rowan which has lost only once — to North. The Mustangs, which won the girls and boys NPC meets, will be at Mount Pleasant on Saturday for the 3A regionals.
• Salisbury’s golf team was winning the state tournament last year with around nine holes to go before finishing second. The Hornets are stronger this year and begin their march today at Sapona in Lexington in the 2A regionals. They are definitely one of the favorites to win it all.
• Salisbury, the CCC boys tennis champ, is in action today at home in the dual team tournament. West Rowan coach Jonathan Brown has the Falcons on the rise. The NPC’s second-seed is on the road.
• Salisbury’s soccer team proved it was Rowan’s best by beating West in the county tournament and has proven it’s one of the state’s best 2A clubs by going into tonight’s game at East Davidson undefeated.
• And then, there’s that softball game at East on Friday. We’re not going to miss it.
Neither should you.
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Contact Ronnie Gallagher at 704-797-4287 or rgallagher@salisburypost.com.