Union Pines softball and girls’ lacrosse join Pinecrest baseball in the later rounds of their respective state tournaments, while girls’ soccer gets ready to kick off the postseason. Boys’ tennis All three local teams saw their playoff runs come to an end last week. No. 10 seed North Moore fell to No. 7 Chatham Charter, 5-2 in the second round, finishing their season with a 3-9 record. In 4A, No. 5 Pinecrest was upset by No. 12 Broughton in the second round, ending the season with a 13-2 mark. In the 3A bracket, No. 10 Union Pines got a second-round…

Playoffs are underway in boys’ tennis, as well as boys’ and girls’ lacrosse. Baseball and softball are joining the NCHSAA postseason this week. Here’s a look at how the area teams are doing in the brackets. Boys’ tennis Pinecrest and Union Pines both won their NCHSAA playoff openers, while North Moore got a first-round bye, meaning all three area teams were still alive as of the start of this week, which saw second-round action take place after press time. North Moore, the No. 10 seed in 1A faced No. 7 Chatham Charter (12-6). No. 5 Pinecrest advanced via forfeit past…

It’s crunch time for high school spring sports. Girls’ soccer, with a week to go in the regular season, is the only sport preparing for playoffs already. Baseball and softball have wrapped up the regular season, and playoff fields have already been announced in golf, lacrosse and tennis. Boys’ tennis North Moore finished the regular season with a 3-9 record and received the No. 10 seed in the 1A bracket. The Mustangs received a first round bye and will take on No. 7 Chatham Charter (12-6) in the second round. At 12-1, Pinecrest earned a No. 5 seed in 4A…

Moore County schools saw many of their spring sports teams play the penultimate week of their regular seasons, with conference titles and playoff berths up for grabs. Baseball North Moore suffered back-to-back losses in conference games. The Mustangs fell to Bartlett Yancey, 10-3, then lost at Seaforth, 5-1. North Moore enters the final week of the season at 11-6. Their 11 wins are more than the Mustangs have had in four of their last 10 seasons. With two games to play in the Mid-Carolina Conference, North Moore is in fourth place, with a one-game lead over Chatham Central, their opponent…

Athlete of the week Mason Konen of Pinecrest provided the highlight for teams in Moore County, throwing a seven-inning no-hitter against Northwood to lead the Patriots to victory. It was hardly the only high point for county sports teams, however, on the diamond and beyond. Baseball Konen’s gem keyed a 3-0 week for Pinecrest, who ran its winning streak to six straight. The Patriots beat Scotland in a road game, 15-3, then had back-to-back shutouts, 9-0 over Northwood in the no-non, and 15-0 at home in the rematch with Scotland. Konen also had company in his mound dominance. Connor Tepatti…