Area high school teams return to action

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on May 22, 2007 1:46 PM

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Three eastern semifinal tilts and two grudge matches highlight today's schedule as the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs resume in baseball, softball and men's tennis.

No. 2-ranked Charles B. Aycock is making its first semifinal-round appearance since 2003 and entertains Wilson Fike. The Golden Falcons (26-3 overall) swept the regular-season series against the Golden Demons, who are directed by veteran head coach Will Flowers.

North Lenoir, the two-time defending 2-A state champion, is expected to have its hands full at Wheat Swamp. The Hawks entertain Cedar Ridge, which boasts one of the state's top-hitting teams with 11 players averaging .300 or higher at the plate.

Wolves pitcher Jake Dailey is 10-1 on the mound.

On the 1-A scene, three-time Carolina Conference champion Princeton plays host to Coastal Plains champion Topsail. Game time is 7 p.m. on the Fred Bartholomew Athletic Complex diamond.

In softball, Southern Wayne (23-4) travels to perennial powerhouse D.H. Conley. The teams split their regular-season series. The Saints, directed by eighth-year head coach Brad Matthews, are making their first-ever, third-round playoff appearance in the school's fast-pitch era.

A grudge match between county tennis archrivals Eastern Wayne and C.B. Aycock takes place at Herman Park. The Warriors (16-3) play host to the Golden Falcons (15-8) for the third time this spring.

Eastern Wayne swept the regular-season series. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m. on the John Allen Farfour courts.