It’s your last chance to catch some class acts

It’s appropriate the Greater Spokane League spring sports seasons end and the state playoffs begin in May.

It’s appropriate because no one knows what may happen.

With nine sports, the possibilities are nearly endless.

But before we look ahead, let’s look back.

The end of the track season always brings us seniors who run or jump or throw themselves into your memory. It’s been happening since the first poor wordsmith called a runner a thin-clad.

But few will remain as stark a memory as Becca Noble.

You have two more chances to watch the Rogers High sprinter-turned-middle-distance-runner compete, so don’t miss the opportunity. She’ll be out at University today and tomorrow for district competition, then there is a 99.99 percent chance she’ll be running in the regional meet, also at U-Hi, next weekend.

Of course, there are other seniors to watch during the meets – West Valley leaper Rashad Toussaint, Shadle Park’s Bryan Braman and Catie Schuetzle, LC’s Briann January come to mind – but it’s Noble that’s at the top of the list.

Speaking of memories, bring your video camera to Avista if Ferris is still playing baseball.

Train the lens on Saxons senior Casey Brett. Push the record button every time he steps on the field. Take the tape, load it into your computer and burn a DVD.

Then show it to every little kid starting to play baseball or softball for the first time.

Tell them “This is the way to play baseball.”

Sprint to your position. Sprint to the batter’s box. Sprint back to the dugout.

Give it everything you have every time you play. Respect the game.

Be like Casey.

Or like Steph.

Catch the softball districts Friday at Whitworth College and you’ll see class in a uniform.

For three years Stephanie Trudeau was, as they say in the movie business, the talent for Shadle. When it came time for a big game, the ball was in her hands as she toed the rubber and delivered quality pitch after quality pitch for the Highlanders.

Then came her senior year. Along came a freshman, Sam Skillingstad, with a golden arm and a sparkling array of pitches.

A recipe for disaster? No, because Trudeau wouldn’t let it.

In an early-season game at Mead, a game against the defending league champions, a game that Trudeau would have pitched the past couple of years, Skillingstad threw and tossed a shutout.

The loudest voice from the Highlander bench? Trudeau’s. Throughout the season, that’s been her M.O. When she pitches, she still throws as well as just about anyone in the league. When she’s not in the circle, she’s the one leading the cheers.

Mead’s Amy Eneroth has been hearing lots of cheers this year. That happens when you finish the GSL season with a stroke average that’s nearly five shots a round better than the rest of the league.

The senior isn’t the biggest, strongest athlete in the area. But she’s among the most dedicated.

As she takes her final shot at a state title, she will once again be one of the favorites. But this year will be different, because she, and the rest of the GSL golfers, will be at home. After finishing 23rd, seventh and 12th in her three appearances in the Tri-Cities, this year’s tournament at MeadowWood just may be hers to win.

If it isn’t, she’ll react like any of these four would.

With class, come what may.