5 Things to Watch This Spring Sports Season

Spring sprung for High School athletic teams on Monday. That’s when the Patriots took to the fields and courts to begin preparations for the upcoming season. The actual start of the season is still some ways away, but we at Patch decided to take a look at a few storylines that should make this spring as memorable as ever.

5. Girls’ Lacrosse: Youth and a few early injuries made for a rollercoaster season for the Patriots in 2010. But they bounced back nicely to make the state tournament and give a talented Andover High School a run for its money in the MIAA Division 1 North First Round. The Golden Warriors ousted C-C from the tournament, but the Patriots knew they had built something special to take into this season. Perhaps in 2011, C-C can make a return trip to the North semifinals, which it reached in 2009.

4. Baseball: Here’s another team that had plenty of youth to go around last season. The growing pains led to just two wins in DCL play and five overall. But, in American Legion play, the Concord team, which consists of many C-C players, showed many signs of improvement. It remains to be seen if the Patriots can build on that summer success and bring it into the spring season. They open the year at Billerica Memorial on April 6 and play their first home game on April 8 against Burlington.

3. Boys’ Lacrosse: Last year had the feeling of being The One for the C-C boys’ lacrosse team. The Patriots had plenty of talent top-to-bottom and were ready for a deep postseason run. Then they ran into Medfield, Massachusetts high school lacrosse’s answer to the New York Yankees. C-C and Medfield met in the Division 2 East semifinal as the No. 2 and No. 3 seed, respectively. The Warriors won a 7-6 low-scoring affair. After the game, Patriots coach Tom Dalicandro said it showcased the fact that his team belongs on an even playing field with Medfield. Perhaps this will be the year C-C takes that next step. It opens the season March 29 against Billerica at home.

2. Boys’ Tennis: You can’t talk about spring sports at Concord-Carlisle High School without mentioning the boys’ tennis team. Talk about a perennial power – the Patriots have won two of the past three D-1 North sectional championships. And though they were denied a third straight last season, look for C-C to be back in full force in 2011. That’s because Alex Steinroeder, the two-time individual state singles champion, should be back for his senior year, giving the Patriots a more than fair chance at making another deep postseason run. They’ll take on nemesis Acton-Boxborough to open the season on April 11.

1. Softball: C-C’s tradition of successful spring sports continues with coach Lisa McGloin’s softball team. After enjoying much success in Division 2 the past few years, the Patriots decided to crash the D-1 postseason party in 2010. A string of dramatic victories, including unseating two-time state champion Lexington in the North final, earned C-C a spot in the state semifinals. The Patriots lost some top talent, but have plenty returning as well. After sitting out much of the basketball season with an injury, staff ace Gayle Miner could be prepped for another successful season in the circle. The Patriots open the season against Medford on April 7.