Here are teams you should watch this postseason in lacrosse that could make some noise. This is a list compiled of the top contenders and sleepers.
Boys
Contenders
1. North Paulding (7A)- The Wolfpack are the lone undefeated team heading into the postseason and are seeking their first state championship in program history. They finished the regular season strong scoring 39 goals in the final two games. North Paulding also held their opponents to an average of 0.5 goals during that stretch. The Wolfpack finished the season 18-0 and are one of the best teams in the state. They will have a bye week in the first round of the playoffs.
2. Lambert (7A)- Another staple program in the GHSA that made it to the state final before losing to eventual champion West Forsyth. The Longhorns are the second-winningest program in state history and will be seeking their third state championship in four years. Lambert also won a very difficult area that featured Buford, West Forsyth, and Milton. In those three crucial games, Lambert reached double-digit goals. Lambert looks primed for another run to the state title.
3. Roswell (5A-6A)- The Hornets dominated Area 5 and will be the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. The Hornets had a blistering start to the season going 9-0 for the second consecutive season. It’s been a season of milestones for Roswell. Coach Bryan Wallace reached 200 career wins back in March in a win against Ponte Vedra. Attacker Ezra Moore has been one of the best players to come through Hornets history and reached another milestone in his illustrious career by scoring 200 career points. The Hornets have a deep team and are loaded at each position on the field whether it’s attack, midfield, or defender. Roswell is looking to go back-to-back for the second time in program history and the first time since 2014 and 2015.
4. Allatoona (5A-6A)- The Buccaneers won their second consecutive area title after a close win against Lassiter 12 days ago. Allatoona has one of the best attacking units in the state in Brayden Smith and Brayden Fountain who have been all-state players the last two seasons. Allatoona’s offense is averaging 12.4 goals and has scored 19 goals in two games this season. Allatoona plays its best lacrosse at the most critical part of the season and has done it for the second consecutive year. Last season, it led them to the state championship before losing to eventual champion Roswell. The team this year has more experience and is loaded with veterans that have playoff experience. This could be the year they win it all.
5. Starr’s Mill (A-4A)- The Panthers finished the season with nine consecutive victories and finished 14-2 overall. Their only losses were to top-ranked Buford and Fellowship Christian. Starr’s Mill is a favorite heading into the playoffs and is at the top of most polls before postseason play begins. They will face Pace Academy for the second time this season in the first round and defeated them earlier in the year 14-2.
Sleepers
1. West Forsyth (7A)- The Wolverines are the defending state champions and won their first-ever state championship last season in 7A. West Forsyth has double-digit wins in a season for the fourth consecutive year. Although their roster is not as loaded as last season, you still have to pay attention to them. They play in one of the toughest areas in the state in Lambert, Buford, and Milton who are all ranked in the top 10. They will be another battle-tested team going into the postseason. Head coach John Laden also has a bunch of experience and it will be valuable to the team in the postseason.
2. Fellowship Christian (A-4A)- Fellowship Christian completed their third consecutive winning season in 2024. The Paladins closed out the regular season on a three-game winning streak outscoring their opponents by 19 goals. They have faced tough competition like Lassier, Blessed Trinity, Wesleyan, and Marist losing those games by a combined six goals. Their defense is one of the best units on the team and is playing great at the right time. They have been a top team all year in the Score Atlanta poll and will have a buy in the first round.
3. North Forsyth (5A-6A)- The Raiders have put a lot of people on notice posting a 15-2 record and being a top team throughout Class 5A-6A. North Forsyth ended the season strong winning their final four games and holding their opponents to an average of 5.75 goals during that span. Going into the playoffs, North Forsyth will be the No. 2 seed and was undefeated at home during the regular season. They will face Pope in the first round of the playoffs.
Girls
Contenders
1. Milton (7A)- The Lady Eagles are the defending state champions and have been the class of girls lacrosse in Georgia for the past almost 20 years, winning all but two championships since lacrosse became a sanctioned sport in the GHSA. Milton ended the regular season with three consecutive wins and scored double-digits in each game. Something the Lady Eagles have on their side is hall-of-fame head coach Tim Godby. They also have played a daunting schedule against some of the top teams in the country in Our Lady of Good Counsel (MD), Cardinal Gibbons (NC), and St. Stephen & St. Agnes (VA). They will be battle-tested heading into this postseason.
2. Blessed Trinity (5A-6A)- You could make the argument that Blessed Trinity should be number one on this list heading into the postseason. The Lady Titans handed Fellowship Christian their only loss this season in an impressive 18-10 win. The defending state champions are seeking their first four-peat in program history. They are the second most accomplished program in lacrosse history and have dominated the competition.
3. Fellowship Christian (A-4A)- what has been most impressive about their run is how they have only lost one game to top-ranked Blessed Trinity without two of their best players Carson Ray and Ella Upchurch. Because of the injuries, the Lady Paladins have had to start younger players including nine sophomores and five freshmen. On the field, they still haven’t missed a beat and have been highly competitive. Their only loss was to a team that is above them in Blessed Trinity, but Fellowship Christian rebounded well in an 18-17 win.
4. Wesleyan (A-4A)- Wesleyan looks like the biggest threat to Fellowship Christian’s hope for a title in Class A-4A. Their offense has reached a new level in the latter part of the season. The Lady Wolves have reached 20 goals in three of the past five games and 15+ goals in every game during that stretch. Wesleyan has reached 15 wins in three of the past four seasons and is seeking their first state championship in program history.
5. River Ridge (5A-6A)- The Lady Knights had one of their best seasons in program history finishing 16-1. River Ridge will be a No. 2 seed in the playoffs after their 18-3 loss in the season finale and area championship to Creekview. Despite the loss, they are still a team to watch in 5A-6A. Their top scorer has been Kaitlyn Manderano who is averaging 5.8 goals per game and 99 goals this season. She has been a force offensively and tough to stop this season. River Ridge will play against St. Pius X in the first round of the playoffs.
Sleepers
1. Kell (5A-6A)- The Lady Longhorns had a blistering start to the season at 7-0 and have been ranked in the Score Atlanta poll throughout the season. Kell didn’t have the best finish to end the season losing four of their final six games, but they still have a lot of upside if they can find their groove again. They will be on the road for the playoffs unless an upset occurs. The thing to watch is if their defense can get enough stops because their offense scored in double figures in their final two games. Kell will face North Forsyth in the first round.
2. Cambridge (5A-6A)- The Lady Bears have matched up well against some of the top teams this season including Milton and West Forsyth, both playoff teams. In those games, they lost by a combined three goals. Cambridge has won four of their last five games entering the playoffs and their offensive production has been steady all season. The Lady Bears are another battle-tested team that could make a run. They will face Ola in the first round of the playoffs.
3. Mountain View (7A)- Mountain View won their first area title in program history defeating Brookwood 15-6 a week ago. The Lady Bears finished their season winning eight of their final nine games before losing to Greater Atlanta Christian in a cross-classification game. Mountain is led by attacker Amina Plummer who is averaging 2.5 goals per game and Bailey Donnelly who is averaging 2.2 goals per game. Mountain View will have a bye week in the first round.
Loading ...
