In less than a month, the high school sports season will begin once again.

That’s right, in just about four weeks, fall sports teams will begin preparing for the 2010-11 season.

It may be hard for you to believe, but summer is nearly over for the boys and girls who have decided to take up the challenge of playing high school sports.

It seems as if summer gets shorter and shorter for these kids.

Wasn’t it only yesterday that we were wrapping up the 2009-10 year with the state championships?

There are still a couple of high school games left to be played for a select few graduated seniors as the softball and football All-Star games are coming up later this month in East Lansing.

Dowagiac’s Torie Lowe has been honored with a selection to the softball game, which will be played on July 21.

It couldn’t happen to a nicer kid either.

Lowe has worked hard to be the best she can be and it has paid off in several sports.

An All-State selection in both basketball and softball, Lowe decided to continue her career in the softball arena.

This caps off a tremendous four-year career for Lowe. I hope she enjoys the experience. I know all the players I have talked to who have played in the game in the past said they had a good time.

Werner remembered
I would encourage all Chieftain football fans to stop by and pay tribute to former Dowagiac coach George Werner.

The Werner family is holding a memorial today for the late coach, who passed away back in June in Florida.

Werner turned the Chieftain football fortunes around and started Dowagiac on a path of success that it is still following.

His legacy lives on in the likes of former assistant coach Denny Dock, who passed on his knowledge to an assistant named Bernard Thomas.

All three men accomplished great things at Dowagiac before moving on to different jobs.

City tennis
The deadline is rapidly approaching for the Dowagiac City Tennis Tournament.

The tournament is now in its 37th year and nothing more would I like to see than a full field for all of the singles and doubles events.

Participation is in need of a boost especially on the female side.

It costs just $5 for the singles tournament and $10 for the doubles. It’s a great deal.

While the tournament is competitive, the players seem to have a lot of fun while it’s going on.

Cut out the entry form and sign up. I know you will enjoy the experience.

Scott Novak is sports editor for Leader Publications. He can be reached at scott.novak@leaderpub.com