Laurels — To the opportunity for two Pitt County teams to bring home state championships this weekend. D.H. Conley High School's baseball team takes on Jamestown Ragsdale in Greensboro in its bid for back-to-back titles while North Pitt High School's softball team entered Friday's four-team tournament searching for its own state crown. The achievement of these kids, win or lose, is impressive.

——————————

Laurels — To the Drew Steele-Skip Holtz Golf Classic, a weekend of events that looks to raise funds for the Special Populations of Pitt County and the Drew Steele Endowment Fund. The East Carolina University football coach is a key player in the first annual weekend, featuring a dinner, auction and golf tournament. It is a special occasion that benefits a more-than-worthy cause. Kudos to participants.

——————————

Darts — To motorists who juggle the demands of driving while talking on a cellular phone. Driving requires focus and care, two qualities severely diminished when one is engaged in a phone conversation. A move to restrict such behavior by drivers under 18 years old is making headway in the Legislature and deserves passage. But all motorists would do well to limit mobile phone use behind the wheel.

——————————

Laurels — To Health Awareness Day, an event aimed to promote good health habits and help identify risk factors in the local participants. Sponsored by the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina and U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, the day offered free disease and health screenings and information aimed to prompt attendees to adopt better habits regarding personal fitness and health.

——————————

Darts — To the threat posed to the traditional lifestyle along the North Carolina coast by the ongoing development of that region. The North Carolina Coastal Federation offered a report this week that the rapid growth is a danger to the sparse and rural areas of the coastal plain that attracted its original residents. The state's beaches are public resources and should be protected as such.

——————————

Laurels — To the Carolina Hurricanes, which looks to become the first professional sports team in North Carolina to win a championship when the Stanley Cup finals begin Monday. The Canes gave a gutty performance throughout the Eastern Conference finals, besting the Buffalo Sabres in four games. The Edmonton Oilers present a formidable opponent in the finals. Let's hope Carolina rises to the challenge.

——————————

Compiled by Brian Colligan, editorial page editor of The Daily Reflector. Contact him by phone at 329-9507 or via e-mail at bcolligan@coxnc.com.