By CT McDonald
End-of-season action is heating up for area high school spring sports teams.
Most teams will complete the regular season next week, with many of them playing for a chance to advance to a berth in the playoffs.
But today, Thursday, two local girls lacrosse teams are set to meet in the second round of the 5A playoffs with the winner advancing to the third round on Monday, according to game results reported Tuesday evening.
Both Dutch Fork and Chapin won their first round games on Tuesday to advance to today’s matchup against each other. The Eagles are the No. 1 team in District 4, and the Silver Foxes are No. 3.
That makes Chapin the host team for today’s game, according to bracket rules.
The Foxes defeated Carolina Forest in Tuesday’s first round, and the Eagles beat St. James to set up the matchup between the two District Five schools.
Lexington’s Lady Wildcats held a commanding lead late in their first round game against Socastee Tuesday, and that creates a possible third round matchup Monday with either Dutch Fork or Chapin if, in fact, the Wildcats did advance and then do win their second round game today.
Also this week, Irmo’s varsity boys tennis team will complete the regular season with a non-region match against Dreher and then prepare for next week’s start to the playoffs.
The Yellow Jackets are just behind A. C. Flora in Region 5-4A and are expected to kick off first round competition at home on April 27. Irmo’s opponent would be the fourth place team from Region 6, with playoff teams to be named after this week’s end to the regular season.
Class 5A tennis teams will also start the playoffs next week, with four teams from each region qualifying for a spot in the postseason games.
Baseball, softball, boys soccer and girls soccer will begin the playoffs the first week of May.
