Lawrence Academy, Northeast Academy and Ridgecroft School are all headed to the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association 1-A playoffs.

The Lady Warriors enter as the highest seed – a number five – after winning the Tarheel Independent Conference regular season championship. Lawrence has six seniors on the squad including TIC Player of the Year Ashtyn Mizelle along with Ashton Lyle, Casey Belch, Taylor Sexton, Melissa White and Jennifer White.

Lawrence will be led by fourth-year skipper Dr. Ed Clouse, who is leading his team to the state tournament for the fourth consecutive year. Dr. Clouse has twice led the Lady Warriors to the Elite Eight and once to the Final Four.

While the Lady Warriors earned a high seed and a home playoff game, they will have to face a familiar foe.

Northeast Academy, who earned their first-ever trip to the NCISAA title tournament, was seeded number 13 and will have to make the trek to Merry Hill to meet Lawrence for the fourth time this season.

The Lady Eagles enter the tournament with three seniors on their roster. They include Lacy Pfeiffer, Kelly Sykes and Jennifer Sykes.

Northeast is coached by sixth-year mentor Cap Pfeiffer, who started the program when the Eagles moved into the Tarheel Independent Conference. He has led the team from those humble beginnings to their first appearance in the state tournament.

Ridgecroft School has been a traditional member of the NCISAA field and will make another appearance this season. They will travel to third-seeded Hobgood Academy, another member of the Tarheel Independent Conference.

The Lady Rams will be led into battle by senior Lindsay Jacob and defensive specialist Brice Harrison. They will likely be without the services of injured senior Emily Cooke.

In addition to Lawrence, Northeast, Ridgecroft and Hobgood, the field also included Albemarle School of the TIC. The Lady Colts are seeded number 13 and will travel to Trinity School of Durham.

The tournament’s top seed in Shannon Forest Christian School (26-2). They will host number 16 Davidson Day School in the first round of the tournament today.

The second seed is Statesville Christian (23-2) who will meet number 15 Elon School.

For complete tournament information, visit www.ncisaa.org.