They're all champions now, but the last four Jersey Sports Now-area teams still playing spring sports have the chance to achieve statewide glory in this final week of the season.  Two lacrosse teams will shoot for a Tournament of Champions title, while the Pequannock baseball and softball squads seek state Group II crowns.   Here's a preview for each team:

Boys' Lacrosse - Kinnelon:

They've already outdone everyone else's expectations, and maybe even their own.  But the Kinnelon Colts aren't going to be satisfied with their first Group I state title.  Kinnelon will now participate in the Tournament of Champions, beginning Monday.

As the #4 seed in this six-team event, Kinnelon is the official home team in its quarterfinal game against the fifth seed, to be played at 5:00 at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.  The only problem:  the #5 seed is Bridgewater-Raritan High School.  While the site was chosen well in advance, it hardly seems fair to the Colts.  (Kinnelon isn't alone:  third seed Ridgewood plays in the first game of the doubleheader against Immaculata, which is located within walking distance of the Bridgewater field.)

If Kinnelon survives the home-field disadvantage, the Colts would earn a semifinal rematch Wednesday with top seed and #1 in the state Delbarton.  The Green Wave won the teams' regular-season matchup by a 6-3 score.  As usual, Kinnelon wouldn't be expected to win, but the Colts have been defying expectations all year.

Girls' Lacrosse - Mountain Lakes:

We knew the Lakers had talent.  We just didn't know they had the ability to morph from one kind of team to another in such a short time.  After pouring in 20 goals in their sectional semifinal, Mountain Lakes suddenly turned into a defensive juggernaut, holding two quality teams to a total of seven goals in their next two contests.

Mountain Lakes drew the #3 seed in the four-team Tournament of Champions.  The Lakers will play second seed West Essex in the semifinals, 5:00 Tuesday at Monmouth University.  West Essex pulled the upset of the tournament so far with its win over Mendham, the same team that beat the Lakers handily twice this season.

It would be a tremendous feat for the Lakers to beat West Essex.  Their prize would be an almost-certain finals meeting with top seed Moorestown, which has won over 200 straight games against New Jersey opposition and is the only school ever to win the Tournament of Champions since it came into existence in girls' lacrosse.

Softball - Pequannock:

After scoring 60 runs in a five-game span leading up to the sectional final, Pequannock didn't forget how to win a typical important softball contest.  Even with just one hit, the Panthers managed to beat Indian Hills 1-0 in the sectional final.

The bats could come back to life in the state Group II semifinal against Caldwell.  Pequannock is very familiar with the Chiefs, as members of the same league, and should have confidence leading into this meeting.  The Panthers beat the Chiefs 11-4 in a regular season matchup.  The game is set for 4:00 Tuesday at Whippany Park.

If the Panthers reach the state Group II final on Saturday at Toms River, they'll meet either Cranford or Overbrook.  South champ Overbrook is a newcomer to this level, but Cranford is a perennial softball power featuring a pitcher (Kelly Hardman) who nearly threw a perfect game in the Central section final, and a hitter (Katherine VanBenschoten) considered one of the very best in the state.

Baseball - Pequannock:

The Panthers pitched their way to a sectional title, allowing just one earned run in the three games they played.  They will probably need more of the same as they go after a Group II state crown.

Pequannock plays Tuesday at 4:00 at William Paterson University in the semifinals against West Essex.  The Knights also got outstanding pitching in their run to a sectional title, allowing one run total in three games.  West Essex did get some breaks, facing no team higher than a fifth seed due to upsets elsewhere in the bracket.  Pequannock is expected to throw ace Jordan Tabakman against the Knights.

If the Panthers move on to Saturday's state final, they will face the winner of the other semifinal between Shore Regional and Haddon Township.  Both are somewhat surprising sectional winners:  Shore was a 6th seed, while Haddon was a #3 seed and won its first section title in three decades.   -- Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now