Fall 2018 Seasons in Review
Cross Country
Hard work paid off with large steps in personal growth throughout the cross country season. Coaches Stephanie and Shawn Lewin helped propel their young team to better running times with expanding practice locations to include Nanny's Mountain. Running regularly on hills taught students to run various inclines efficiently and achieve better times on hilly race course. Both high school and middle school races were scheduled, and the team performed well in both situations. All of the runners achieved their personal best times in the last two meets.
As the exclamation of the season, the team participated in a fun run in York. During this race, student runner Shawn Lewin placed top in his age bracket (pictured right).
Boys' Soccer
For the second season in a row, the boys' soccer squad accomplished a winning season, which qualified the Mariners to host the first round of the play-offs. Painfully, as with last year, the boys fought hard for a tie and then lost in the final minutes.
To play against larger population league schools is quite a challenge. The LPA athletes rose to that challenge and have much to celebrate. Especially considering that the Mariner soccer team only had two seniors this season, there is much to suggest that next fall will witness even better team play and success. Go boys! Go Green!
Girls' Volleyball
For the past several years, the quality of team play has ratcheted up and up on the volleyball court. This was evident in the team's performance against the larger schools the ladies often play. A strong league record qualified the volleyball athletes directly to the elite state tournament in Spartanburg, where the Mariners earned a strong seed. After a strong start, the team was eliminated from the tournament by a coastal region school.
If trophies were all that was considered, the early exit might bathe the season in disappointment, but the team's accomplishments were so many, that there is much to celebrate! These include defeating the York High School JV team in a scrimmage and coming with a whisker of defeating York Prep in the team's last away game. As with soccer, the team having only one senior player promises a strong year next fall, as all the players mature in their abilities.
State Soccer Champs!
Mariners are 2-A state champs in soccer!
The girls soccer team went undefeated through both the season and the state playoffs, earning its first ever SCACS state soccer title.
The Mariners first swept through their conference with a balance of strong defense and an agressive scoring strategy. That same combination helped Lake Pointe overpower a tough Emmanuel team from Hartsville 5-1 in the semi-finals, and to clinch the championship 5-2 over a talented Hampton Park team from Greenville.
The state title required many components, of course. From the ingredients of a strong team and hard work, to unselfish play and encouraging coaching, everything came together through the season.
The accomplishment is the latest installment in a longer story. Two years ago, in LPA’s inaugural soccer season, the girls' team fought valiantly just to earn a win. Last year, the team was highly competitive, barely missing the playoffs when the tie-breaker didn’t go the team’s way.
This season, the Mariners left no doubt or discussion, achieving an undefeated season all the way to top match. Well done. Go Green!
Mariners in JV tourney
Basketball practices continue through next week to prepare the JV teams for their SCACS state tournament at Tabernacle Christian in Greenville, Sc. That tournament for players through tenth grade begins on Friday, Feb. 24.
Varsity in BB play-offs
Congratulations to both the girls’ and boys’ varsity teams for making it to the SCACS 2A basketball play-offs!
Both squads earned home court advantage for the first round, and those games were held this past week. In both contests, the Mariners came out on the short end of the score to teams from Oconee Christian near Clemson. In the case of the guys’ game, LPA had a last second chance to tie with a long 3-pointer that bounced off the rim. Thanks to the fans who turned out both nights to cheer on the young men and women.
The Mariner varsity teams have one final match to complete their season, a road game this Monday in Lancaster, SC against Carolina Christian.
In evaluating the season, a win-or-nothing mindset might focus just on the play-off losses, but actually, there is very much to celebrate:
- The boy’s varsity played very well during the year.
- The girls’ team won its SCACS Piedmont region, based upon strong defensive play.
- Both teams faced off against excellent competition, including public charter schools.
- With only five seniors on the two squads, younger players put a lot of playing experience in the bank for next year.
VB comes up just short
A two-and-a-half hour trip south was filled with expectation and anticipation. The Lady Mariners had a rematch with the talented and very well coached Oconee Christian team that eliminated Lake Pointe in the play-offs last year. Bethany Luke was on crutches for the match, injured during a practice earlier in the week. Without her anchor at the net, Lake Pointe players had to rise to the occasion.
With lengthy volleys on almost every point, the Mariners and Warriors rang scores in the 20's on every game. With a 2-1 advantage, Oconee pulled out game three and ended the season for The Green, but what promise for next year!
Soccer team ends season in play-offs
In its first official season in SCACS 2-A competition, the boys' soccer team faced Bob Jones Academy at the Bob Jones University stadium in Greenville.
After playing spirited defense, and holding the Bruins scoreless for much of the first period, the Mariners fell to BJA's excellent skills and teamsmanship.
While the Lake Pointe schedule is now over, the team's record is commendable, suggesting great promise for the next season.
VB advances to region play-offs
Sparked by talented seniors, a winning season in the competitive 2-A upstate region has propelled the Lady Mariners into the play-offs.
The team travels to Oconnee Friday for round of post-season play. The trip is a repeat of last year, when the Mariners also advanced to face the Warriors. Last year, Oconee Christian edged out Lake Pointe. This year, the Mariners hope to turn the tables. Go Green!
Boys' soccer reaches play-offs
The boys' soccer team earned a play-off bid in its first official season in SCACS 2-A competition. The Mariners posted a winning season, and earned the chance to travel to Bob Jones University's stadium for the regional play-offs.