There’s nothing more exciting than tournament time in spring high school sports. Whether the AAA playoffs or the spring jubilee for A and AA teams in Radford, playoff action offers pressure-filled games among the best teams in the state.
For the ‘Big-11’ seniors, it’s the last time they get to perform at the high school level, with many games actually taking place after the graduation ceremonies themselves.
Accordingly, we devote this edition to all the hard work the athletes have committed in helping their team succeed. Here’s a look at which teams at press time were still in the hunt in various sports.
BASEBALL
Patrick Henry- advanced to Northwest regional first round and will host Forest Park on Thursday.
Blue Ridge District: William Byrd had advanced to semifinal round Wednesday against Rockbridge County. (Played at Lord Botetourt)
River Ridge District: Cave Spring had advanced to semifinal round Wednesday to face top-seed Hidden Valley at Kiwanis Field.
Three Rivers District: Glenvar had advanced to semifinal round Wednesday to play Auburn at Calfee Park in Pulaski.
SOFTBALL
Patrick Henry had advanced to Northwest Region first round to play at Albemarle on Thursday.
Blue Ridge District: Northside was set to play in semifinal round Wednesday against Rockbridge County. Lord Botetourt was set to play in semifinal round Wednesday against Alleghany. Both Blue Ridge games played at Staunton River.
River Ridge District: Cave Spring was set to play in semifinal round Wednesday against Christiansburg. Salem was set to play in semifinal round Wednesday against Blacksburg. Both River Ridge games played at Harkrader Field in Christiansburg.
Three Rivers District: Glenvar had advanced to semifinal round Thursday to play Auburn at the Botetourt Sports Complex.
BOYS SOCCER
Patrick Henry had advanced to Northwest Region quarterfinal and will host their next match Thursday against a team TBD.
Blue Ridge District: Northside advanced to play Lord Botetourt in semifinal round Wednesday at Alleghany HS.
River Ridge District; Cave Spring had advanced to play Salem in semifinal round Wednesday.
Hidden Valley had advanced to play Blacksburg in semifinal round. Both River Ridge matches at Dwight Bogle Stadium.
Three Rivers District: Glenvar had advanced to semifinal round Wednesday to play Radford at Glenvar HS.
GIRLS SOCCER
Blue Ridge District: William Byrd had advanced to play Northside in semifinal round Wednesday. Lord Botetourt had advanced to play Staunton River in semifinal round Wednesday, both Blue Ridge matches at Northside HS.
River Ridge District:Cave Spring advanced to semifinal round to play Salem Wednesday at Hidden Valley HS
BOYS TENNIS
Region IV: Hidden Valley had advanced to semifinal round Wednesday to play Patrick County at Martinsville HS.Three Rivers District: Glenvar’s Igor Ponjavic won singles championship to advance. Glenvar’s Alex Dunkenberger and Colton Walls won doubles championship to advance
GIRLS TENNIS
Patrick Henry’s Ciara Mulcahy advanced to Northwest Region singles championship match Wednesday at UVA. Patrick Henry’s Mason Wheeler and Allie Green advanced to doubles semifinals Wednesday at UVA.
Region III: Northside advanced to play Broadway in semifinal round Wednesday afternoon at Broadway HS.
Region IV: Hidden Valley had advanced to play Carroll County in semifinal round Wednesday at VA Tech. Cave Spring had advanced to play Abingdon in semifinal round Wednesday at VA Tech.
BOYS LACROSSE
West Central Section: Patrick Henry advanced to semifinal round and will play Friday at Albemarle.
GIRLS LACROSSE
West Central Section: Salem advanced to play in semifinal round Friday vs team TBD. Partick Henry was set to play Wednesday in first round at Western Albemarle.
Good luck to all our ‘Big-11’ squads in their pursuit of a state championship!
OTHER NOTES: The Salem Red Sox are on the road before returning home May 31st to begin a seven night home stand through June 6th.
The City of Salem hosts the NCAA Division II softball champiopship this weekend at the Moyer Complex.
On the golf front, The Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame will conduct their men’s and women’s championships the weekend of June 7-9. The men’s 3-day event plays out at Mariner’s Landing, Blacksburg CC and Ole Monterey GC. The women’s two-day event tours the latter two courses on the 8th and 9th.
BILL TURNER
