On Wednesday, the long-awaited A-5A girls championship that was originally slated for the previous Saturday was finally played, and the Blessed Trinity Lady Titans beat the Kell Lady Longhorns 11-9 in a rematch of last season's title game, which the Lady Titans also won.
That makes it two consecutive A-5A titles for the Lady Titans under coach Liz McFarland, who has steadily built the program into one of the best in the state, regardless of classification. The win also closes out a stellar prep career for Lady Titans leading scorer Mary Markwordt, who finished her final game with 4 goals, 2 assists, 2 ground balls and an interception. For the season, she had 103 goals, 54 assists, 68 ground balls, 139 controls and 11 interceptions, McFarland said.
For Markwordt, she'll get the chance to take her game to the next level as she's committed to play for Duke. For the Lady Titans, it remains to be seen if they can continue their championship run without her, but they should be confident in their chances. In an interview just before the postseason began, McFarland alluded to the team relying heavily on sophomores and juniors this season, so the potential to again be highly competitive is there. McFarland has proven she can get the most out of her players, as demonstrated by Blessed Trinity's finishes over the past four seasons years: state champs (2017, 2016) and semifinalists (2015, 2014).
The two state titles are the first in program history for Blessed Trinity.
Wednesday was also an important day in i n 6A-7A, as the boys and girls semifinals were played. On the boys' side, the top-ranked Lambert Longhorns beat No. 3 Centennial 12-7 to advance to the title game, where they'll play the No. 6 Lassiter Trojans, who beat Allatoona 11-9. This will be a rematch of last year's state title game, which Lambert won 6-3 to complete a 21-0 season.
Before the tournament began, I picked Lambert to beat Lassiter.
On the girls' side, the top-ranked Milton Lady Eagles crushed No. 3 North Gwinnett 16-3 to advance to the championship to play the No. 7 Cambridge Lady Bears, who edged Lambert 9-8. The title game will be a rematch for the two teams, who played on April 28 with Milton winning 10-8.
I have Milton winning the title game in a prediction made before the postseason began.
Both championship games are scheduled for Saturday at Lakewood Stadium in Atlanta, with the girls playing at 2 p.m. and the boys at 5 p.m.
For capsules of boys and girls semifinals, go here.
Check back on Tuesday when I sign off with one final blog to recap the 6A-7A champions and recap the season.
Credit: Seth Ellerbee
Credit: Seth Ellerbee
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