A lot is running through the mind of Emma Turner when she’s behind the plate catching for an unbeaten Pace softball team on course to contend for a state title. If the ball is hit, she has to be ready to communicate with her teammates. If the ball is popped up, fouled off or is thrown toward her at the plate, the junior standout has to be ready for that scenario as well.

What was just supposed to be a normal Thursday night game turned into a thriller with a late rally as the Pace Patriots opened District 1-6A play against the Gulf Breeze Dolphins. The Patriots entered this game with a 5-1 record, and would improve to 6-1 after a late scoring rally propelled them to a 10-4 victory.

A few rain drops fell just before game time, and the clouds hung around, but nothing put a damper on the experience the Milton Panthers were able to soak in during a game against West Florida Tech on the home turf of the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. And though the scoreboard didn’t favor the Panthers in the end – they lost 3-1 to the Jaguars – the chance to play at Blue Wahoos Stadium in Pensacola was still memorable.

A few weeks ago the Milton boys weightlifting team faced a critical juncture in its season that has proven to be a turning point.

Area athletes took to the track for the first big meet of March, competing in Pensacola Saturday at the Steve Garst Wildcat Invitational at Washington. Several athletes placed in the top 10 in their respective events. Gavin Schulte took home a pair of firsts in the 400 and 800, clocking in with times of 49.83 and 1:59.87, respectively.

Hallie Ueberroth crushes a two-run home run to center that trims the Milton deficit to one in the fifth inning. Macee Graber smacks a base hit into the outfield that drives in the game-tying run an inning later. Those are among the moments that highlight the Panthers’ will to battle back no matter the situation they are facing in a game.

A roster of experienced and talented players is what the Milton girls lacrosse team has working in its favor this season. That group includes seven seniors.

Haley Dunckel never stopped bringing the pressure against Pine Forest last Wednesday night in Pace’s flag football season opener. Play after play, Dunckel was on the move, forcing the quarterback into uncomfortable situations that led to pulled flags, incomplete passes or plays that went for little gain.

Take the third inning of Monday night’s game against W.S. Neal as the one that highlights the power and ability of the Pace softball team from an offensive standpoint. Fifteen batters. Eleven runs. That was the gasoline the Patriots poured onto the fire during a breakout inning in a 15-1 win over the Eagles.

The value of the preseason cannot be underestimated. Pace’s flag football team knows that as well as anyone. And this weekend, the Patriots are headed to Tampa to play in a tournament at the Bucs’ practice facility.