As evident by today’s high school baseball season preview and last week’s look at the area soccer teams, spring is here despite the fact that windy, wet and cool winter was in full effect on Sunday.
Hopefully more spring-like weather will greet players this week as “The Boys of Summer” at Northwest Whitfield will play host to Gordon Lee today at 5 p.m. in the area’s first baseball game. Southeast Whitfield, Murray County, Coahulla Creek and North Murray will all be in action later this week with Dalton opening its season on Saturday at Northwest. Be sure to check out the prep schedule on page 3B to keep up with all of the action.
With soccer, baseball and even a little golf thrown in this week, it is time to start turning our attention toward a whole new string of games as the schedule-packed new season is indeed upon us.
Spring is the busiest time of the year in the prep sports calendar with baseball, soccer, track and field, tennis and golf (with lacrosse soon to come?) all crammed into the schedule. Five sports may not seem like a lot, but multiply four of those by boys and girls, and it gets crowded in a hurry.
But before thoughts turn to sitting in lounge chairs while the center fielder chases down a double to the gap, we still have some unfinished winter business to take care of this week as Dalton and North Murray’s boys and Christian Heritage’s girls will continue their postseason basketball campaigns.
The Lady Lions return to the confines of Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville (free history lesson: former capital of the state from 1807-67) for the Class 2A semifinals of the Georgia Independent Schools Association. Christian Heritage will take on Gatewood (Eatonton) on Friday at 5:30 p.m. with the winner advancing to Saturday’s state final at 3:20 p.m. against the winner of Terrell Academy-Briarwood. Terrell Academy beat Christian Heritage in the semifinals last year and then topped Gatewood in the finals to claim the state title.
Dalton’s boys will be at home for the first round of the GHSA Class 3A state playoffs, hosting Franklin County on Saturday as the No. 2 seed from Region 7. Franklin County beat Monroe Area to take the No. 3 seed from Region 8. DHS head coach Mike Duffie said on Sunday that athletic director Ron Ward was still trying to set the time of the game with Franklin County officials. North Murray’s boys, the No. 3 seed from Region 7-2A, will travel to Jefferson on Saturday to face the Region 8 No. 2-seeded Dragons.
Coming this week, we will have extended features on all three teams as they chase a state title.
• In addition to the regular recreational leagues for baseball and softball, the Whitfield County Parks and Recreation Department will offer select/competitive leagues for ages 7-14 this spring. The WPCRD will hold an organizational meeting on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the WCPRD offices at 136 Gillespie Drive. Anyone interested in the leagues can call (706) 226-8341.
Also, this week marks the final week of registration for the Dalton Parks and Recreation Department leagues for boys ages 4-14 and girls 4-12. Registration is available online at mydprd.com through Friday. On-site registration is also available at the main recreation center at 904 Civic Drive or the Gaston Community Center at 214 N. Fredrick St.
For more information on these and other area events and leagues, be sure to check out the Local Sports Calendar on page 4B.
Chris Whitfield is a sports writer for The Daily Citizen. Got something you think should be in What’s Going On? Write to him at chriswhitfield@ daltoncitizen.com.
Sports
February 20, 2012
What's Going On: Spring is ready to hit fields
- Sports
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Club soccer: Northwest Soccer Academy wins state, starts quest for next title
This past Saturday, the Belles won the U-17 Georgia President’s Cup, beating the Bartow Youth Soccer Association Galaxy 1-0 on a first-half goal from Courtney Bell, who plays high school soccer for Heritage-Catoosa.
Continued ...
With the win, the Belles will represent the Peach State at the United States Youth Soccer Association’s Region 3 championships scheduled for June 7 to 10 in Greensboro, N.C. The region champion will move on to compete at the USYSA National President’s Cup during July in Sacremento, Calif. - Cook and Richards take first at local 5K
- Middle School Roundup: Hawkins’ arm, heavy hitting add up to title
- Wire-to-wire, Noll cruises to victory
- What's Going On: Combo puts a sweet spin on running
- May 20, 2012
- Under construction
- $20,000 raised in contest for 2012 Special Olympics
- A championship pickle
- Dalton native finishes strong, looks for title
- Area ace pitcher gets first All-Region honor
- May 19, 2012
- Spring football: Starters not all set yet for Catamounts
- Spring football: Fired-up Raiders hit hard
- Spring football: Bruins QB passes first test since ACL injury
- Spring football: Colts, Mountaineers, Lions finish up, too
- May 18, 2012
- Clock is running
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Club soccer: Northwest Soccer Academy wins state, starts quest for next title
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