Telegraph Sports Reporter Tom KIng.

One more week to go before all the Madness of March, sports fans.

And it will be a wild month we’ll take a look at next week.

But for now, much on these late February tids and bits:

• There should be no reason for colleges in New Hampshire not to have spring sports. In the summer, there was plenty of local baseball and softball being played. And yes, even lacrosse.

If the high schools can play contact sports like football in the fall and wrestling in the winter, then lacrosse shouldn’t be an issue. Follow the protocols, safety, no fans or limit fans, etc.

Southern New Hampshire University will have its spring seasons, following the guidelines of the Northeast 10 Conference, which announced this week it will have regular season and postseason play in baseball, softball, lacrosse and tennis, along with conference championship-only events in golf and outdoor track.

• The New England Patriots/NFL sports talk rumors can be maddening, just like the Tom Brady talk all last winter was. Media types come out with these outlandish rumors, trying to top the other. For example, former Pats linebacker Rob Ninkovich predicted that Rob Gronkowski would go to Miami as a free agent. Now that could have been some things thrown out by the Gronkowski camp as a negotiating ploy, but Ninkovich more than anyone should know Gronk wants to play with one and only one quarterback – Brady. Remember the words when he was asked about the trade to Detroit he squelched while a member of the Patriots: “Tom is my quarterback.” Guarantee you that still holds true today.

The other rumor? The re-signing of Cam Newton. Just can’t see the Patriots taking a $12 million chunk out of their cap to bring back a QB who couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with his passing, or attempt at passing.

• It’ll be interesting to see the intensity the new pandemic-driven dual meet wrestling format creates for high schools. Two rounds are done, and next week’s semis and finals should be entertaining. The crowds will be small, but the benches will be heard loud and proud, you can be sure.

The only downside is the loss of individual weight class division titles, plus the absence of overall state titles with no Meet of Champions.

• This is a big week locally for high schools with Bishop Guertin hoop teams facing Nashua South and North, and a few other all-local matchups.

But if you want to circle one game as a must-see, put some layers on and head over to Hudson’s Cyclones Arena this Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. for the scheduled girls hockey battle – we say scheduled because in these days of pandemic pauses you never know – between Bishop Guertin and Hanover.

This is the best Cardinals team since those two teams squared off in the 2010 finals with Hanover winning 2-0.

The sport has come a long way since then, and Guertin’s success this year is one example of it. Should be a good one.

• Still on schools and pauses, here’s hoping the Nashua South-Pelham Kings can return as scheduled this week and be ready for and able to take part, as expected, in the Division I tournament. It’s been a tough winter and athletic directors simply can’t wait to get the student athletes back outside. We’ll get there.

• The Red Sox opened up spring training this week. Have to ask, did anyone really notice? At least MLB won’t open its regular season in March this year.

February, take it easy on us this last week, OK?

Tom King may be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com, or on twitter at @Telegraph _TomK.

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