To get to the semifinals, teams typically need a player or two to shine under the bright lights. This year, Swampscott, St. Mary’s, St. John’s Prep and Marblehead each have a team still standing with a chance to reach a state championship game.

Starting on the courts, Swampscott girls tennis has been perfect this season. The Big Blue are 21-0, and first singles player Nikki Carr has been one of the biggest reasons why. Carr has yet to lose a match this season and was named the Northeastern Conference Player of the Year.

At first singles, Carr faces each team’s best player. On the road to the Final Four, she has taken down some of the best Division 3 has to offer. In the Sweet 16, Carr defeated No. 11 Bishop Fenwick’s Caroline O’Hare, 6-0, 6-3. Then against No. 3 Lynnfield, Carr stepped up once again, defeating Lily Alves, 6-1, 6-2, to help lead No. 6 Swampscott one step closer to a state championship. Carr will need to be at her best when the Big Blue take on No. 2 Dover-Sherborn on Wednesday.

Staying on the courts, Marblehead’s boys tennis team has been just as impressive. The Magicians are 20-2, and their postseason run has been fueled by consistent performances from first doubles partners Adam Loughlin and Alex Boehning. 

Chemistry is important in doubles tennis, and Loughlin and Boehning play as if they have been partners for years. Although the duo enjoyed a strong postseason, it did not come without adversity. Against Grafton in the Sweet 16, Loughlin and Boehning dropped the opening set, 7-5. Instead of letting it affect their confidence, they responded by winning the final two sets, 6-2, 6-2.

In the Elite Eight, the pair wasted little time against No. 4 Walpole. Loughlin and Boehning earned a 6-3, 6-3 victory to help Marblehead advance with a 3-2 team win.

From the courts to Fraser Field, top-seeded St. Mary’s baseball has made the most of home-field advantage. The Spartans won all three of their home playoff games to reach the Division 2 Final Four and will now face No. 4 Milton on a neutral field Tuesday at Holy Cross.

The story of the postseason for St. Mary’s has been its pitching. Between senior Rolky Brea-Arias and sophomore Brennan Malloy, the Spartans’ starters have allowed just seven runs in three tournament games.

Against No. 16 Westwood, Brea-Arias got the start and delivered six innings while striking out seven and not issuing a walk. He also helped his own cause at the plate, driving in the game’s first run with an RBI triple that helped propel St. Mary’s into the Elite Eight.

In the next round against No. 25 Masconomet, it was Malloy’s turn. The sophomore pitched five innings, allowing four hits, one run and two walks. After surrendering a single and a walk to begin the game, Malloy retired 13 of the next 14 batters he faced to help send St. Mary’s to the Final Four.

Lastly, in Danvers, St. John’s Prep lacrosse has been cruising through the postseason. The Eagles, the No. 2 seed in Division 1, have looked every bit like one of the state’s top teams. In the quarterfinals, St. John’s Prep rolled past No. 7 Winchester, 15-2. The key has been a balanced offensive attack. Against Winchester, 11 different Eagles found the back of the net.

One of the biggest reasons for St. John’s Prep’s offensive success has been faceoff specialist Will Crawford. Through three postseason games, Crawford has won 89.2% of his faceoffs. Against Winchester, he went 10-for-12 at the X. In the Round of 16 against Needham, he was a perfect 9-for-9, and in the opening round he went 6-for-7 against Arlington.

Crawford’s dominance has helped the Eagles control possession and momentum. Winning nearly 90% of faceoffs gives St. John’s Prep a major advantage, especially after goals when momentum can quickly swing.

With a couple of games left to play, these standout performers will be counted on once again in the hopes of bringing state championships back to their respective schools.