The spring sports season has reached a critical point as teams prepare for do-or-die playoff competition. 

Last week, the lacrosse postseason started, while all other sports started to end their regular seasons. During this stretch of games, teams all over Lexington County will begin leaning more heavily on their star players to lead them to victory. 

This week’s Athlete of the Week winners both hail from Chapin and put up big numbers in consequential wins. 

Voting for Athlete of the Week runs from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Monday each week at lexingtonchronicle.com/athleteoftheweek. To submit a nominee for consideration, email a photo and short bio to sports@lexingtonchronicle.com.

Charlie Meja

Pitcher Charlie Meja had an exceptional outing against Spring Valley to help Chapin get its week started right. 

The Eagles defeated the Vikings 12-2 last Monday. The game lasted just five innings after Chapin went up big, scoring seven runs in the final inning of play. While the Eagles’ bats had a lot of success, Meja’s play gave them the boost needed to end the game early. 

Meja pitched a complete game against the Vikings. He did a great job keeping the Vikings off the board, allowing just three hits, two runs and one walk. He struck out 11 batters in the process. 

The junior is a key piece of Chapin’s pitching rotation. As the playoffs get started, teams tend to lean more on their aces to deliver in must-win scenarios. 

Brooke Holmes

Chain girls lacrosse star Brooke Holmes lit up the scoreboard during the team’s opening round playoff game against White Knoll. 

The Eagles entered the postseason as the defending champions, winning the 5A state title last year. Holmes was one of the returning players from that team, meaning she knows what it takes to win. 

Holmes delivered a standout performance against White Knoll, leading the team with seven goals and adding two assists. Her nine total points matched her season-high, which she previously set in a game against Riverside.

The senior’s Chapin career came to an end in the next round after a loss versus Lucy Beckham. She ended her decorated career as one of the most successful players in Chapin history.