Those long, lazy days of summer have arrived in earnest in southcentral Kentucky, perfect iced sweet tea and nap-in-a-hammock weather.

But for three Warren County and Bowling Green Little League All-Star squads, the hard work they have put in nearly every day since the mercury began to rise will continue without letup.

Those squads blazed their own path to earning spots in the upcoming Little League state tournaments, starting July 21 with pool play in Lebanon, creating lasting memories and forging friendships likely to long endure.

Warren County North’s 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars flashed a real flair for the dramatic in their District 1 Tournament championship game victory over Owensboro Southern at Phil Moore Park. Down to the final out and trailing by two runs, WC North’s Wyatt Nesbitt delivered a thrilling walk-off grand slam to give his team a 7-5, seven-inning victory.

For Bowling Green East’s 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars, the fight was on from the start of the District 1 Tournament against Owensboro Southern. BG East prevailed for a one-run victory in the opening game of pool play, and wasn’t surprised to face that same team again in the championship with a state berth on the line. It was close again – until the fifth inning, when BG East erupted for seven runs for an eventual 14-5 victory.

The BG East 10- and 11-year-old All-Stars kept a jersey with the No. 11 worn by former teammate Mason Goodnight, who passed away suddenly in April 2017. They will continue to honor their friend after winning the District 1 championship with a 9-6 victory over Owensboro Southern on Friday at Phil Moore Park.

Friday’s win had double meaning for BG East’s Chaze Huff, whose sister was badly injured in a dog attack this year and is currently confined to a wheelchair, but still came to the ballpark to cheer on her brother and his teammates.

Each squad – the WC North 12s and the BG East 10s and 11s – set the goal of reaching the state tournament, and each team earned the right to be there.

Already champions, and still not done – now that’s a summer to savor.