Things are getting tense as the final few teams are left standing in Lexington County. 

With only soccer, baseball and softball remaining, there are only a handful of local teams still competing for a state title. The games are getting closer as the competition gets tougher, forcing teams to rely on their entire roster to make plays. 

This week’s Athlete of the Week winners have been consistent contributors all year long and have elevated their game under pressure. These athletes hail from River Bluff and Chapin and kept their team’s championship dreams alive in the face of elimination. 

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.

Dominick Norton

River Bluff first baseman Dominick Norton helped the team advance from the play-in round all the way to the Lower State Championship.

In four games last week, Norton had four hits, six RBIs, four runs, seven drawn walks and a home run. He helped his team survive elimination against region rival Lexington. The Gators went on to beat Carolina Forest and then knocked off Sumter twice to win the district.

Against Lexington, Norton finished with 3RBIs on two hits, including a double. He hit his home run in the first game against Sumter, finishing that one with three RBIs, two runs and three drawn walks. 

River Bluff will look for Norton to keep it up as they take on James Island in the Lower State series this week. 

Lila Bowers

Chapin’s girls soccer team is back in the state final, and Lila Bowers is a big reason why. 

The senior continued to have the hot foot, scoring two goals in each of Lexington’s playoff wins last week.

Bowers had two goals and an assist in the team’s win over West Florence to put the team in the semifinal. In the Lower State Championship, she scored both of Chapin’s goals, including the game-winner to take down Lucy Beckham. 

With her last career game as an Eagle looming, Bowers is hoping to help her team finally break through. Chapin has been in the previous two state championship games but lost.