LAURINBURG — The cold clutches of winter is loosening its clammy grasp just in time for the spring sports season.
Several Scotland High spring sports teams are scheduled to begin their respective seasons next week, and a few others are slated to start in the days following.
The Scots girls soccer squad will take the field first on Monday when they host Southern Lee. First-year head coach Abbi Giaier will make her debut, and optimism is abound in the program that the Michigan native can help the Scots rebound from a 3-12 record a year ago.
On March 16, the Scots will travel to Purnell Swett for the first conference game and they conclude the regular season on April 27 in Rockingham against Richmond Senior. Senior night is scheduled for April 25 when the Scots welcome Lumberton to Laurinburg.
The Scotland baseball team will follow with its regular-season opener on Tuesday.
Scots baseball will feature a fresh face in the dugout as Chad Hill, formerly of Union Pines, was tabbed to take over the program in the offseason. The Scots finished 11-8 a year ago under former skipper Jamie Coleman and lost in the first round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4A playoffs.
Scotland opens the year with a home tilt against Overhills and begins its SEC season when it hosts Purnell Swett on March 22. From March 26-29, the Scots will participate in an Easter tournament at Douglas Byrd High School, and they wrap up the regular season at home against Richmond on April 28.
The conference baseball schedule underwent a format change during the offseason — SEC schools will play both of their games against a conference opponent, home and away, in the same week.
Patrick Williams’ softball team also begins the regular season on Tuesday when the Scots host Jack Britt. Scotland compiled a 13-5 record a year ago en route to an SEC tournament championship and an appearance in the second round of the NCHSAA 4A playoffs.
The Scots travel to Purnell Swett on March 18 for their first conference contest and end the year April 28 in a road matchup against Richmond. Scotland’s senior night festivities are scheduled for April 26 when it hosts Lumberton.
On March 10, Scotland’s boys tennis team will take the court for its opener against Purnell Swett. The Scots are led once again by Atondra Ellis, and they will end the year against Richmond on April 21. April 19 marks Scotland’s senior night celebration when it hosts Lumberton.
The SEC conference tournament is scheduled for April 26-27.
March 10 also marks the start of the track and field season as Scotland travels to Rockingham to compete against the Raiders and Purnell Swett. Scotland hosts two meets this year — one on March 17 against Pinecrest and Richmond, and another on April 14 against Hoke and Lumberton.
The boys are coached by Keith Wood, and the girls are led by Megil McLean.
The conference meet hosted by The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is slated for May 3-4.
Michael Way enters his second year as the boys golf coach, and Scotland begins its season March 14 when it travels to Raeford to compete in a conference meet hosted by Hoke. The SEC schools will convene in Laurinburg on April 4, and the Scots conclude their regular season April 25 in Southern Pines.
Logan Martinez can be reached at 910-506-3170. Follow him on Twitter @L_Martinez13.