Category All Art Classes Classical Music Concerts DANCE Etc Exhibits Families Farmers Markets Film Happenings Holiday Holiday Lectures Music (non-classical) Theater

Submit events

Spring sports in full bloom

By Ben Miller

The end of March is big time in the world of sports. Whether it’s the NCAA tournament, the end of the NBA season or opening day in Major League Baseball that you look forward to, the end of March is the best time of the year. However, there are some fans that may not find this time of year to be all that great: prep sports fans.

The high school basketball season has just ended and football won’t start again until September. Instead we’re left with a ton of sports and no idea what to watch. But for the devoted preps fan that wants to know what’s going on, here is a rundown of what is going on in high school sports in Tacoma during the spring sports season.

Let’s start on the diamond – the softball diamond.

Two of the best fastpitch teams in the state of Washington can be found right in our city. Wilson and Stadium showed their talent last year by finishing first and third respectively in the Narrows League, and this year both teams are on a roll.

Off to 5-0 starts, both Stadium and Wilson not only look like they are the favorites to win their divisions, but they also seem like contenders to snag state tournament berths. The Tigers have represented the city of Tacoma at State the last two years, while Wilson, with a team full of seniors, is looking to get back to the state playoffs for the first time since 2005.

If you want to see high quality softball this spring, Wilson and Stadium are going to be your best bet.

On the other kind of diamond – the baseball diamond – things haven’t quite shaken out the way some expected. With 13 seniors back this season and an offense that should be able to light the world – or at least the Narrows League – on fire, Stadium was expected to be one of the top contenders in the state for a State berth.

It seems, however, that graduating all of their top pitchers has left the Tigers in a hole in the early going. At 0-3 in league play and alone in last place in the Bay Division, Stadium is a good candidate for a run back up to the top. That is especially true when you look at the two teams that Stadium has already played: Olympia twice and Gig Harbor, schools that currently sit at the top of the Bay and Bridge divisions respectively.

The Tigers should have an easier road ahead of them.

Another surprise so far has been the play of Bellarmine Prep. A middle-of-the-road Narrows League squad last year, the Lions are undefeated on the season and currently sit behind Olympia for second place in the Bay Division. Bellarmine can pass a big, early season test if it can out-hit Stadium March 26.

On the soccer field, things have been pretty standard. Bellarmine is at the top with Stadium lagging not too far behind. Wilson’s second place league finish of a year ago seems to be just a memory as the Rams have yet to find a win in league play so far this year.

And with the individual sports of golf, girls tennis and track & field, the options for prep sports fans in Tacoma are plentiful. Well that is, if it ever stops raining. 

Story Tools