MICHAEL PISTELLA Cape Coral freshman Derek Pandolfi (38) makes a pitch in his first game as a member of the varsity team Monday in the Early Bird Tournament at Terry Park.

North Fort Myers scored at least one run in every inning it batted en route to a 10-3 victory Monday that spoiled the varsity debut for Island Coast in the first round of the Cape Coral Early Bird Tournament at Terry Park.

Tim Sommer went 3-for-5 and had one of five extra-base hits for the Red Knights (1-0). Ivan Melendez finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and Ralphy Elmi had a triple. James Foster went five innings and recorded the win on the mound.

Carlos Gomez had a double for Island Coast (0-1).

Both the Red Knights and Gators continue play this week in the Early Bird Tournament. The Red Knights play Fort Myers Tuesday, and the Gators return to action Wednesday against Fort Myers. Cape Coral faces Riverdale in Tuesday’s other game.

Island Coast 010 000 2 – 3 6 2

MICHAEL PISTELLA Island Coast shortstop Nelson Candelario is in position to gather up a ground ball in the Gators’ first game in the Cape Coral Early Bird Tournament Monday against North Fort Myers at Terry Park.

North Fort Myers 132 121 x – 10 14 0

W – James Foster. L – Losauro.

2B – Sommer (N), Melendez (N), Branham (N), Smith (N), Gomez (I). 3B – Elmi (N).

Basketball

Ida Baker and Bishop Verot are among the Lee County teams gearing up for regional quarterfinal basketball games Thursday night.

MICHAEL PISTELLA Cape Coral senior Derek Miloff reacts after swinging and missing a pitch Monday night in the Seahawks’ Early Bird Tournament game against Lehigh at Terry Park.

Baker won two games in last week’s District 5A-15 Tournament, before losing to Fort Myers, 76-56, in the championship game. Still, the runner-up Bulldogs (18-10) secured their first regional playoff appearance, and will travel to Oakland Park Northeast Thursday.

“They have to treat this like an honor and continue to work hard,” Baker coach Greg Coleman said of his team. “The way it’s set up, if we win this game, our next game is in Lee County.”

If the Bulldogs can defeat Oakland Park Northeast, they’ll either host Fort Lauderdale Dillard or play at Fort Myers in a regional semifinal on Feb. 24. Fort Myers hosts Dillard Thursday.

The Green Wave got its biggest challenge from Barron Collier in a district semifinal game, but rallied to win 59-56 in overtime.

Bishop Verot (20-8) escaped with a dramatic 53-51 win over Dunbar in the District 3A-12 Championship game Saturday night. Etienne Effenberg, a 6-foot-6 senior, scored 20 points and converted a game-winning three-point play with 2.1 seconds left.

Verot hosts Tampa Catholic Thursday, while Dunbar travels to Tampa Berkeley Prep.