TERRY COLUMN: Sun's out, fun's out

The sun!

Did you see it?

It was there, I swear. For a little bit.

Regardless of when you’re reading this, the sun is actually supposed to make an appearance at some point in the next few weeks. History says it should also get warmer over the next few months, too.

That all means play time.

As the weather heats up, so too is the spring sports season. This spring, the Northwest features some of the best talent in the state.

The season starts today in Polson, when the Pirates host Libby and Hamilton for a tennis triangular. Polson is again a contender in the Class A girls field on the courts and joins some heavy hitters from Columbia Falls among the select few that could take home hardware at state. Spencer Johnson and the Glacier boys also should contend in Class AA.

Flathead softball also opens the season today, playing at Class A powerhouse Frenchtown.

The Bravettes, who should be improved from a year ago, are one of 13 teams in Class AA chasing crosstown rivals Glacier for the state title.

The Wolfpack, behind the pitching of star Ali Williams and timely hitting in the playoffs, won the first softball title in school history last season and look to be among the favorites again with the starting battery returning from the championship squad. They’ll fight it out with Western AA foe Missoula Big Sky and a host of talent from the East for the chance to repeat.

The Flathead boys track team is also looking to repeat after bringing home a title last season on its home oval.

The Braves stormed to a tie with Helena High last season at Legends Stadium and could be in contention again, with the most participants out for the first week of practice since splitting the schools in 2007.

As always, the Flathead Valley returns a bevy of talent on the track with defending champions from around the region, including most of the favored runners in the distance events. The talent in the field includes future NCAA Division I javelin thrower Luke May of Whitefish and some of the best leapers in the state.

The talent also shows on the golf course, where Libby’s drop to Class B has the Loggers immediately in the hunt for a title.

Libby freshman Ryggs Johnston, a superstar on the junior circuit, gets his first swings in prep play this spring and is a favorite for the state title even in his first season.

Oddly enough, some of the Loggers’ biggest competition will be from fellow former Class A program Anaconda and senior Caleb Stetzner, who won the A title in 2014 and because of the drop didn’t play prep golf all of last calendar year.

There’s others too. Too many to name here.

Spring is here. Technically.

Soon the weather should catch up. When it gets here, the Northwest is looking like it should have a few trophies by summer.