By Sonny Jones
Almost a year ago — May 23, 2024, for those checking a calendar — the East Bladen girls’ soccer team lost to Woods Charter 5-0 in the fourth round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A playoffs.
It was the first time the Eagles had advanced to the fourth round. Monday, they’ll look to reach the fourth round in consecutive seasons.
Fourth-seeded East Bladen (16-1-2) is scheduled to host No. 5 Wake Prep Academy (12-7-1) on Monday in the third round of a postseason that often has been interrupted by rain.
East Bladen had its opening round game scheduled last Monday postponed twice, then played consecutive days for its two playoff wins. No. 5 Wake Prep Academy didn’t play its first game until Thursday, then beat No. 12 East Wake Academy 1-0 on Friday.
Fortunately, the weather forecast appears promising Monday, although it may be a bit toasty with temperature in the 80s even with the expected 6 p.m. kickoff.
• East Bladen girls’ soccer and winning have gone hand-in-hand for many years. Since the COVID-shortened 2020 season when only two games were played, the Eagles have a 74-12-5 record. The program’s last losing record came in 2015 at 7-11.
• A pair of Diamond Youth Baseball district coach-pitch tournaments are scheduled to be played in Bladen County in June. The District 9 tournament will be June 7-12 at Elizabethtown’s Leinwand Park. The District 2 tournament will be June 8-12 at the Clarkton DYB Complex.
POTATO’S PICKS TO WATCH SATURDAY
• GOLF: PGA Championship, 10 a.m. (ESPN), 11 a.m. (ESPN2), 1 p.m. (CBS). It’s “moving day” at a major tournament being played in Charlotte. So cool.
• WNBA: Chicago at Indiana, 3 p.m. (ABC). Yes, I’ve got Clark Fever.
• NHL PLAYOFFS: Winnipeg at Dallas, 8 p.m. (ABC). Can the best team during the regular season win on the road and force Game 7?
Sonny Jones can be reached at wibbyj@gmail.com
Author: Sonny Jones
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