44 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com BY L. C. LEACH III Spring Stars Girls High School State Champions Every spring, high school girls’ teams across the Lowcountry compete for state titles in track, tennis, golf and lacrosse. This year, whether it was their first time tasting gold, raising another trophy in a series of repeats or achieving a long-awaited milestone for their teams and school, the following three Lowcountry girls’ squads not only emerged as the best in the state, but also accomplished these impressive feats in memorable fashion. Lucy Beckham Girls Lacrosse Nobody really saw it coming until it was almost over, and as the last seconds ticked down in the girls 5A state lacrosse championship, the Lucy Beckham Lady Bengals, clinging to an 8-5 lead against Fort Mill, were finally able to say, ‘We won one.’ “This was our first state title in program history,” said third-year head coach Vanessa Southworth. “The current seniors were an integral part of beginning this program and taking us to that first state championship game.” The Lady Bengals were led by senior team captains Abby Butler, Violet Anderson and Cat Chance. Butler finished her career with 98 points, 116 ground balls and 79 caused turnovers. Chance led the team in points (63) with 41 goals and 22 assists, and reached her 200th career point this season. Senior Ady Brickle tallied 33 goals and 20 assists. Sophomore Emily Butler showed promising signs for next year with two goals, one assist, three caused turnovers and 10 draw wins in the final. Junior team captain Iliana Kane had a landmark season, scoring 49 goals en route to reaching the 100goal plateau, making first-team All-State Midfield, being named District Player of the Year and saving her best for the final with three goals and three caused turnovers. But with five season losses and only 13 wins, there were times when the team looked like they might be lucky just to make it into the playoffs. A close 10-8 victory in the first round against Chapin only seemed to bear out an otherwise OK season, until the Lady Bengals suddenly caught fire with a 21-2 smashing against second round opponent Socastee and then hung on in the last moments against feisty Fort Mill. Now they are the defending champions. “We have been at this since the program started,” Southworth said. “Winning a state championship has always been our goal at the start of every season. And to finally win it in their last season was so rewarding.” Lucy Beckham girls lacrosse captures their first-ever state championship since the school opened. our sports
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