Red Mountain’s Lion Country Classic softball tournament kicks off the season this week.
The tournament begins Feb. 22 and runs through Feb. 25 at either Red Mountain H.S. or Skyline H.S. (both have two softball fields).
Here’s the schedule for the first three days:
Wednesday, Feb. 22
at Red Mountain H.S.
3 p.m.: Mesquite vs. Red Mountain; Mountain View vs. Desert Ridge;  5 p.m.:  Deer Valley vs. Red Mountain; Salpointe Catholic vs. Mesquite;  7 p.m.: Chaparral vs. Salpointe.
at Skyline H.S.
3 p.m.: Basha vs. Skyline; Queen Creek vs. Corona del Sol; 5 p.m.: Mountain Pointe vs. …

Caught in the frenzy of February Madness with the boys and girls basketball state tournaments that reach its crescendos this week, baseball (gasp!) preseason tournaments also begin later this week.
Here’s a quick rundown of baseball tournaments that get underway:
Paradise Valley Preseason Tournament: Runs Feb. 22-27, is held at Paradise Valley H.S. and Phoenix Cortez H.S. and features Paradise Valley, Cortez, Tempe and Phoenix Washington.
Scottsdale Invitational Tournament:  Runs Feb. 22-March 3; This features some of the best in the Scottsdale (and the state) at Chaparral H.S. and Desert Mountain H.S.  Features …