The quiet, somber memory of last year’s Spring Break for high school sports is a motivating factor this year.

Having seen athletics shut down due to the pandemic, Chronicle Country teams are capitalizing on any opportunities to play a full spring sports season.

The week started with Dutch Fork, River Bluff, White Knoll and Gray Collegiate taking part in the Forest Acres Classic at AC Flora High School.

Dutch Fork shut out the host team Falcons 9-0 in its opener, while River Bluff blanked the Timberwolves 5-0.

The 4-day tournament concludes Thursday with 3 games capped by the 3 pm final

Airport and Gilbert also completed its respective tournaments earlier in the week.

The Eagles faced Wade Hampton on the final day of the Sheppard’s Glass Invitational, while Gilbert finished the Indian Spring Break Tournament Monday with a 3-1 record.

The final Spring Break baseball tournament taking place involving Chronicle Country teams started Wednesday.

The SC Diamond Invitational has Lexington and Brookland-Cayce High School serving as home sites.

The 4-day tournament concludes Saturday with the championship at Lexington High School.

SOUTH CAROLINA DIAMOND INVITATIONAL

Thursday’s Games (AT LEXINGTON HS) Lexington vs. Westwood 11 am Blythewood vs. TL Hanna 3 pm

(AT BROOKLAND-CAYCE HS)

Chapin at Brookland-Cayce noon

Greenville vs. Dorman 4 pm

Friday’s Games

(AT LEXINGTON HS)

Lexington vs. TL Hanna noon

Blythewood vs. Westwood 4 pm

(AT BROOKLAND-CAYCE HS)

Greenville vs. Brookland-Cayce noon

Dorman vs. Chapin 4 pm

Saturday’s Games

(AT LEXINGTON HS)

2nd place game noon

Championship 4 pm

(AT BROOKLAND-CAYCE HS)

4th place game noon

3rd place game 4 pm

NIKE PALMETTO CUP

Also on Thursday, the Nike Palmetto Cup wraps up play at Saluda Shoals Park at Irmo High School. Each of the 12 teams (8 boys, 4 girls) will play their 3rd and final contest with the champions determined by a points system.

Gray Collegiate Academy boys opened the tournament with a 6-0 win over Ridge View.

Visit www.lexingtonchronicle.com and http://www.nikepalmettocupsc.com/history.html for full results.

Thursday’s Games

(GIRLS)

Pinewood Prep vs. Spring Valley (Field 2) - 9 am Gray Collegiate vs. Hammond

Gray Collegiate vs. Hammond (Field 1) - 5 pm

(BOYS) A.C. Flora vs. Ridge View (Field

A.C. Flora vs. Ridge View (Field 1) - 11:30 am

Gray Collegiate vs. D.W. Daniel (Field 3) - 11:30 am

Blythewood vs. Bishop England (Field 2) - 2:30 pm

Cardinal Newman vs. Legion Collegiate (Field 4) - 2:30 pm