As tropical storm Ana dissipates and the weather finally begins to resemble an average spring in eastern North Carolina, six local teams will suit up to compete in the first round of the NCHSAA playoffs today.

Athletes on each of these teams — Northside baseball, Northside softball, Southside baseball, Southside softball, Washington softball and Washington girls’ soccer — have spent countless hours during the regular season preparing for this moment, some locking up conference crowns, while others are simply happy to be playing postseason ball. For coaches and student-athletes alike, the amount of time that goes into an organized high school sport deserves not only recognition, but support as well.

Over the last few weeks, attendance for local sporting events has been at an all-time high. Last week’s Northside vs. Southside baseball game was standing room only and certainly gave fans their money’s worth. Let’s hope that continues today and later this week with two rounds of baseball, softball and girls’ soccer on tap.

And while the Pam Pack football team made history last December, the storyline to watch this spring is the undefeated Northside softball team, which currently stands as the No. 1 overall seed in 1-A for the second-straight season, a feat in itself.

At a perfect 20-0, Northside’s road to the state championship will not be easy, especially considering the team hasn’t played a full seven-inning game since April 21, activating the 10-run, five-inning mercy rule in each of its last seven contests. The road ahead will consist of playoff worthy teams — the lineups more formidable, the opposing pitchers challenging.

If the Panthers are the team to watch, the Washington girls’ soccer team isn’t far behind. After earning the No. 1 overall seed last year, making it all the way to the state championship, the now No. 7-seeded Pam Pack goes from favorites to clear-cut underdogs with the increased level of competition in the East — one- or two-loss teams like Carrboro, First Flight, Dixon, Clinton and Roanoke Rapids are looking to write their own history.

Get out and support your local high school teams as they represent Beaufort County on a statewide scale. Here is a list of today’s games:

 

BASEBALL

(30) Northside at (3) Camden County @ 6 p.m.

(27) Southside at (6) East Carteret @ 6 p.m.

 

SOFTBALL
(15) Washington vs. (18) West Bladen @ 7 p.m.

(1) Northside vs. (32) Creswell @ 7 p.m.

(28) Southside at (5) Whiteville @ 6 p.m.

 

GIRLS SOCCER
(7) Washington vs. (26) South Granville @ 6 p.m.