The NCHSAA released the final brackets for the lacrosse and dual team boys’ tennis state playoffs Monday.
Here’s a preview of where Chatham County’s teams will start in their respective brackets:
Boys’ Lacrosse
1A/2A/3A East Bracket:
No. 9 Western Alamance at No. 8 Seaforth (Friday at 5 p.m. at Seaforth High School)
Seaforth and its familiar conference foe Western Alamance were both granted a bye in the first round and will compete for a spot in the regional quarterfinals. Although the Hawks are coming into the playoffs on a three game winning streak and have already beaten Western Alamance twice this season, this is looking to be a tough draw for Seaforth. The last two times these teams met, the games were close, and in the most recent game on April 12, Seaforth got the slight edge in a 7-6 victory. The third meeting will likely be just as close and low-scoring, but to the Hawks’ benefit, they’ll be playing at home where they’ve only lost twice all year.
No. 10 Northwood at No. 7 Voyager (Saturday at 7 p.m. at Voyager Academy)
Northwood and Voyager will also start in the second round as both teams received first round byes. Although the Chargers will have to travel, Voyager should be a favorable matchup for them considering the Vikings competed in a small and relatively weaker conference and went 5-10 overall. Voyager won just one game outside of the conference while Northwood has faced tougher competition all year. It won’t be surprising at all if Northwood pulls off the upset and advances to the regional quarterfinals.
Girls’ Lacrosse
1A/2A/3A East Bracket:
No. 9 South Brunswick at No. 8 Seaforth (Friday at 7 p.m. at Seaforth High School)
Seaforth and South Brunswick will meet in the second round Friday night in what could be a close matchup. The Hawks struggled in the beginning of the year, but they finished strong by winning three of their last four regular season games. Momentum is definitely on Seaforth’s side as South Brunswick lost its last four games in blowout fashion. However, those losses came at the hands of some really good teams in the Mideastern conference. South Brunswick is more productive on the offensive end than Seaforth, averaging 7.1 goals per game compared to Seaforth’s 6.1, but the Hawks are better defensively, which may be the determining factor in whether the Hawks advance or not.
No. 13 Cape Fear at No. 4 Northwood (Saturday at Northwood High School)
Northwood shouldn’t have any problems with Cape Fear in its playoff opener Saturday. Cape Fear has lost by double digits in six of their eight games and averages just under three goals per contest. In comparison, Northwood averages 12.5 goals per game and is a better defensive team than the Colts.
Boys’ Tennis
1A Duals Bracket:
No. 13 West Columbus at No. 4 Chatham Central (Monday at Chatham Central)
No. 10 North Moore at No. 7 Chatham Charter (Monday at Chatham Charter)
2A Duals Bracket:
No. 17 Northwood at No. 16 NCCSM: Durham (Wednesday at NCCSM: Durham)
Winner of No. 11 J.F. Webb vs. No. 22 South Columbus at. No. 6 Seaforth (Monday at Seaforth High School)