Charlie and Chris Norris came to Cathedral with a little fanfare, being from West Monroe, La., where the athletic teams are among the best in the state.

The two brothers had also heard about Cathedral High’s tradition of fielding outstanding baseball teams.

&uot;The first thing we heard was that baseball is bigger than anything else there,&uot; Charlie said. &uot;And it sure is.&uot;

Charlie, a junior, is Cathedral’s top pitcher, touting a 4-1 record with a 2.97 earned run average.

Chris, a freshman, has three hits in limited play this year and is 1-1 as a pitcher with a 5.44 earned run average.

Charlie played at Claiborne Christian Academy last year, while Chris attended West Monroe Junior High.

Claiborne Christian closed down last year and the Norris’ father, attorney Chuck Norris, was doing a lot of his work in the Miss-Lou area, which led to the move.

Charlie transferred from West Monroe to Claiborne Christian as a freshman.

&uot;I’m used to moving,&uot; Charlie said.

Chris attended West Monrore Junior High last year.

&uot;This was my first move, so it was a pretty good change,&uot; Chris said. &uot;It was hard on me at first, but I got used to it got to like it.&uot;

Both said the move was made easier by the students and teachers at Cathedral

&uot;It’s been better than I tought,&uot;&160;Charlie said. &uot;You didn’t have to ask anyone’s name because everyone introduced themselves. It’s a little harder academic-wise.&uot;

&uot;Everybody has been real nice,&uot;&160;Chris said. &uot;The teachers have been great. It’s a little harder, but I’m getting used to it.&uot;

Chris admitted having a brother to make the move with made it easier.

&uot;It would have been tougher being the only one,&uot; he said.

Both boys came onto the scene wanting to contribute.

&uot;We didn’t put any pressure on ourselves,&uot;&160;Charlie said.&160;&uot;’We came over and heard they needed some pitchers and just wanted to help out.&uot;

Both boys played on the football team.

&uot;I wanted to see how it was,&uot; said Charlie, who played cornerback.

Chris plays in the defensive backfield.

&uot;I enjoy playing football,&uot; he said.

But there’s no doubt of their favorite sport.

&uot;I prefer baseball because it’something I know I can do,&uot; Charlie said.

&uot;I&160;like baseball because you play both sides of the ball,&uot; said Chris, who pitches and plays in the outfield.

Charlie said he pitched in some JV&160;games at West Monroe.

&uot;That’s one reason I was excited about coming here, because I knew I would pitch more,&uot; he said. &uot;I’d rather do that than anything else.&uot;

Charlie said he likes the feeling of being in control.

&uot;You get to decide what the batter does,&uot; he said.

The right-hander said he can usually tell warming up what kind of game he is going to have.

&uot;If my arm is feeling good, I feel like I’ll have a good game,&uot; he said.

And when it doesn’t feel good?

&uot;I just keep throwing until my arm gets in better shape,&uot; he said.

Charlie is batting .284, has a double and two triples and has seven RBIS.

&uot;I’ve always hit pretty good, but I got off to a rough start,&uot; he said. &uot;But I’m getting better and hopefully that will continue.&uot;

Charlie stands 6-foot-5, which brings back memories of former CHS&160;pitcher Joseph Durr.

&uot;People mention him to me once in a while,&uot;&160;Charlie said.

Which usually always brings up the question of whether Charlie plays basketball, which he doesn’t.

&uot;Everybody asks me that, but I’m just going to stick to baseball,&uot; he said.

Charlie believes his height is an advantage on the mound.

&uot;I think my long arms help a lot,&uot; he said

The fact both boys are pitchers proves to be beneficial.

&uot;Charlie just started pitching two or three years ago,&uot;&160;Chris said. &uot;I’ve pitched since I was 9 or 10. We try to help each other. If one is a little off, the other one will try to help him get back on.&uot;

And they’ve also get help from a lot of new friends.

&uot;That’s one good thing about a small school, everybody knows one another,&uot; Chris said.