Stars shine brightest when the pressure is highest, and this postseason has been full of athletes stepping up when it matters most. From overtime heroics and game-winning goals to long touchdown runs and emphatic spikes, this tournament stretch has had it all. Here are some of the standout performances so far.
Starting on the gridiron, St. Mary’s leaned on quarterback Yaniel Belliard in its opening-round playoff win over Greater Lawrence Tech. Belliard rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns, added a passing score, and delivered in all phases of the offense.
In addition to his 16-yard touchdown run, Belliard broke free for a 63-yard score and connected with Rowan Merryman on a 32-yard touchdown pass. He’ll need another big performance later this week when St. Mary’s faces top-ranked Shawsheen Valley Tech.
Staying with the Spartans, Sophie Skabeikis, the program’s all-time leading scorer, once again showed why she’s among the best players in the state. Against rival Bishop Fenwick, Skabeikis opened the scoring with a highlight-reel strike from 29 yards out. The goal stood as the difference, lifting the Spartans into the Round of 16.
In Marblehead, the Magicians hosted Walpole and were on the brink of elimination. But when the lights are brightest, stars show up.
With just minutes left in the second half and down 2-1, Sydney Ball, the Northeastern Conference MVP, moved into the midfield and delivered with a solo effort to tie the game. Then, in double overtime, Callie Gilmore found Lucy McDonald, who fired a shot from more than 30 yards out that hit the back of the net for the game-winner.
The Magicians faced adversity but, time and time again, found a way to overcome it.
Also in Marblehead, the Magicians’ volleyball team enjoyed its best season in program history, led by NEC MVP Greta Sachs.
In a rematch against Burlington — a team that swept Marblehead earlier in the year — the Magicians turned the tables with a 3-0 win. Sachs was unstoppable at the net. Whether it was her blocking or thunderous spikes, she rallied her teammates and helped Marblehead advance to the Round of 8.
Over in Lynnfield, the Pioneers are making a deep tournament run and have reached the Final Four. But their journey nearly ended in the Round of 32 against Lynn Classical. Down two sets, the Pioneers rallied for a 3-2 victory behind junior captain Audrey Manning, who totaled 16 assists and 30 kills. Manning did it all to will her team back, and now Lynnfield is one win away from the title match.
In KIPP’s 46-6 rout of Frontier Regional, quarterback Elai Machado and Aavian Peña combined for eight touchdowns. When both are rolling, the Panthers’ offense is nearly impossible to stop. Mixing speed and power, they’ve become one of the most dangerous duos in the tournament.
Both Machado and Peña rushed for more than 100 yards and will need another strong showing Friday when KIPP faces top-seeded Nashoba Valley Tech.
Sticking with KIPP, Jossue Giron netted a hat trick against Old Colony Tech in the opening round. Giron has been the go-to player all season for the Panthers, finishing with 22 goals and 16 assists.
Lastly, but certainly not least, Swampscott’s Eve Byrne and Chloe Rogers each had standout playoff moments. In the opening round, Rogers — a freshman who played nothing like one — recorded a hat trick in a 4-0 win over Quabbin Regional. She scored the first and final two goals to lift the Big Blue to victory.
Byrne, on the opposite end of the field, starred against Cardinal Spellman. The Cardinals generated several early chances, but Byrne made save after save to keep the game scoreless. She continued her stellar play in the second half, though Swampscott was eventually eliminated. Still, Byrne’s performance was top class.
It’s been a postseason defined by clutch performances and players rising to the moment — proof that when the spotlight’s brightest, local stars are ready to shine.
