The high school sports year is almost over, with just baseball and softball left to wrap up. Just one week of play remains after the upper and lower state championships concluded. 

A few Lexington County teams are left in the race thanks to stellar outings from some of their top players. This week’s Athlete of the Week winners helped keep their teams’ title dreams alive as they moved on to the final round. 

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.

Brandon Cromer

Lexington baseball star Brandon Cromer shined in the upper state championship series against Blythewood. 

The senior went 5-5 from the plate in two games, scoring three home runs and eight RBIs. He crossed home plate himself five times. 

Cromer’s best performance came in game two of the series. In front of the home crowd, Cromer hit two home runs and had six RBIs to help Lexington gain separation from Blythewood. His homer in the fourth inning broke a 2-2 tie, and from there, it was all Lexington.

The Wildcats advanced to the 5A Division I championship with the win. Cromer and the team are looking to defend their 2024 title and win back-to-back baseball championships for the first time in school history. 

Aspen Boulware 

Gray Collegiate’s Aspen Boulware helped the War Eagle softball team advance to the 4A state title series. Gray is seeking its second championship in a row after winning the 2A title last season. 

Boulware had two strong outings to help Gray dispose of South Florence in two games. In game one, she had two home runs, three RBIs and four runs on three hits and a walk. She scored three runs in game two and went 1-2 from the plate in a shortened game. 

The sophomore has been a crucial piece of Gray Collegiate’s success this season. She has been the team’s leadoff hitter all season and accounted for numerous RBIs and home runs. 

Her play will greatly affect Gray’s quest to defend its championship.