Four area teams still alive

Four area teams are still alive in the N.C. High School Athletic Association state playoffs, including three softball teams -- all from Beaufort County.

The Washington Pam Pack will play host to Coastal Conference rival D.H. Conley in Tuesday's third round of the 3-A state softball playoffs.

The Southside Seahawks will play host to their Atlantic Conference rival Northside Panthers in Tuesday's third of the 1-A state softball playoffs.

The Williamston Tigers will play host to the Princeton Bulldogs in Tuesday's fourth round of the 1-A state baseball playoffs. The two teams met in 2004, with the Bulldogs winning both games in regional play. Princeton is the defending 1-A state champions.

Thanks for all you do, Mumsy

Thanks for all you do, Mumsy
Commentary by KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
There’s not enough space in this column, or enough space in my heart, to express to my mom just how much she means to me. Just how much I love her.
My “Mumsy” is my best friend. My biggest fan. My harshest critic.
She certainly doesn’t follow sports the way I do, but she’ll “glance” at nearly anything and everything I write. Her words of praise are always appreciated, as are her suggestions.
She always wants the best for her sons, and she’ll bend over backwards to make that happen.
Of course, I sometimes wonder if I should have heeded all her suggestions while growing up.
Mothers mean well. They really do.
Whether it’s spitting on a tissue and then rubbing it on your face to get the chocolate ice cream off your chin, or offering up the idea to wear a light blue tuxedo to your prom, the things they do for their sons and daughters are immeasurable.
Yes, it’s true. I wore a light blue tuxedo to my prom. My mom swears she didn’t offer up that suggestion, but I beg to differ.
An impressionable and already-geeky high school student, I remember hearing something to the extent of, “Why dress like everybody else?”
So I went against the grain. I showed up at prom looking like one of the dudes from “Dumb and Dumber,” only without the top hat and cane. I actually think the top hat and cane would have been better.
What would have happened had I chosen to wear a black tux? Would I have suddenly blossomed into a college sports star? Would I have been the star being written about instead of being the one writing about the stars?
My dear mom and I laughed about that just the other day.
It’s fun to share memories. And I’ve got a ton of great ones, thanks to her.
I remember my first game in little league. I wore a shirt that looked more like a giant dress. And I remember that I was awful. Instead of swinging the bat, I would stick it straight up in the air, praying for a walk. Mom was there, watching me proudly as I would either trot to first base or back to the dugout.
One of my fondest memories involves playing baseball in the backyard of my grandparent’s house. There was a fence at the end of the yard. Hit it over the fence and it was, obviously, a home run. I can still picture my mom, dad and grandparents sitting around a small table watching me and my brothers.
So many of my fondest memories revolve around my mom. She’s always been there for me, and I know she always will.
Thanks for everything, Mumsy. I love you.
Happy Mother’s Day.
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Kevin Travis is the sports editor of the Washington Daily News. You may reach him at 940-4217, or by e-mail at kevin@wdnweb.com.

Area teams in state baseball playoffs

NCHSAA Class 1A State Baseball Playoffs
First Round
Friday
6 p.m. - Northside at Midway
6 p.m. - Cape Hatteras at Williamston
6 p.m. - Roanoke at Bear Grass
6 p.m. - Plymouth at Jamesville
6 p.m. - Columbia at Camden