The memories came flooding back last Wednesday evening.

While watching the Cedar Park Christian fastpitch softball team play Chimacum at the Inglemoor High field — that pristine, four-based wonderland tucked deep into the back of the school campus — I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic about my 11-plus years with the Northshore Citizen/Bothell-Kenmore Reporter. I started out covering sports, switched to copy editing and am now editor. However, I’m also the sports reporter again — and that’s a good thing.

On that very field, I recall an epic Inglemoor-Bothell fastpitch game that went on late into the evening with the Vikings winning. A few years later, though, the Cougar gals upended the Viks up at Bothell on a grand-slam homer that sticks in my mind whenever I drive by that diamond.

Ah, yes, it’s those Bothell-Inglemoor battles — in whatever sports are in season — that get the blood pumping. For a while there, the Vikings feasted on the Cougs in the football Spaghetti Bowl rivalry game, but now it’s reversed. Those games always draw a throng of fans, and the one that I remember most vividly was a Bothell victory that had former coach Dan Bunten doing a goofy, happy dance in front of the Cougar faithful.

But let’s not forget our friends over at Cedar Park, winners of many state titles in my years covering them. In fact, it’s always an honor to see a few of my stories framed and hanging on the CP walls whenever I come by.

Speaking of Cedar Park stars, I ran into Melissa Salios and her dad, Greg, out at last week’s game. Melissa was on the Eagles’ volleyball and basketball teams that made it to state, but also tore it up on the fastpitch diamond. However, it was her pitching performances — two perfect games — for Woodinville that are at the top of her list. Cedar Park didn’t have a fastpitch team during her years there, so she was a Falcon during the spring. Coach Greg’s CP teams have made it to state seven straight seasons, and the Eagles are hoping to continue that streak this year.

So many memorable moments I’ve shared with athletes, coaches and parents on Northshore sports fields. I’ve given away athletes-of-the-year trophies and all-sports awards at each high school and followed teams to events from Marysville to Tacoma and everywhere in between. There were many high points, but many lows, as well. But I’ve always managed to get a good story out of every moment, thanks in great part to the athletes, who are a talented and classy bunch and always have a nice word to offer me in a winning or losing cause.

So, I’m out on the sports scene again — in addition to all my other duties (!) — and I’m looking forward to a satisfying experience all over again.

See you out there.