At every glance, as the Archbishop Williams girls’ lacrosse team worked through a practice session last week in advance of their Division 2 South tourney game, there was a reminder of Kate McCarthy.

Take a peak down at each player’s left shoelace – purple, McCarthy’s favorite color.

Sneak a look at any player’s stick, and just below the head is a white sticker with three purple letters: KPM, her initials.

On the back of the team’s windbreakers is the No. 3, which is the number the sophomore wore for the Bishops.

But that all changed on Saturday, April 9, when the 15-year-old Weymouth resident was killed whilie a passenger in a car accident in her hometown.

“We didn’t know what was going on,’’ recalled Archbishop Williams senior captain Rachel McManus.

“It was kind of surreal. We still couldn’t believe it.’’

Tuesday aftenoon, the sun shone brightly over the Bishops’ practice, with temperatures creeping into the 80s. It was a day the bubbly McCarthy would have liked.

“I remember we had to do a fitness test at the beginning of the season,’’ said McManus, a faint smile creeping up the corners of her mouth.

“She would always beat us all in pushups and sit-ups . . . always smiling.’’

Amidst their heartbreak, the Bishops put together a 14-6 season, securing the 11th seed in the D2 South tourney. ABW is one of several tournament-bound programs that have battled through adversity and tragedy.

“I don’t think you ever move on, but you build onto that understanding,’’ said Archbishop Williams coach Gordie McClay, also the school’s athletic director.

“It’s about sticking together, being a team and dedicating our season to Kate.’’

This spring, the Cohasset High boys’ program has dealt with the death of 2014 grad Will Holden, a freshman hockey player at Skidmore College who fell off a roof in March while visiting a friend in Delaware during spring break.

As a senior at Cohasset, he helped the Skippers capture the Division 3 state lacrosse title. His younger sister, Corey, is a senior midfielder on the Cohasset girls’ squad.

“With Will, it’s always on the kids’ minds, especially the older ones,’’ said Cohasset boys’ coach James Beaudoin.

“His intensity from the playoffs will certainly be remembered.’’

During a snowstorm in February, Tom Cunning, a 48-year-old Canton resident, was killed by a falling tree limb. He coached, and was a fundraiser, for Canton youth hockey for 15 years. He also served as the president of the youth lacrosse program for three years.

“Every decision he made for Canton youth lacrosse was what’s best for the kids,’’ said Canton High coach Bill Bendell, who guided the Bulldogs to an 11-7 record and the Division 2 South tourney.

Gunning built a network of coaches and introduced a univeral playbook.

“He always coached all the kids the same,’’ said Pete MacKay, a youth coach whose son Matt plays for Bendell.

“Whether they were superstars or just starting out.’’

Junior Michael Pigeon, a long stick midfielder that has developed into a two-time All-Hockomock League selection, said “a lot of us wouldn’t have the skills we had if he hadn’t helped out and built the youth program.’’

At Gunning’s service, a line snaked out the door of St. John the Evangelist and into the winter morning, despite temperatures in the teens.

“I’ve never seen that many people from Canton in one place,’’ Pigeon said.

On Father’s Day, Canton will rename a field complex after Gunning. The town will also erect a wall for players to practice passing, or “wall ball.’’

“It will be a symbol,’’ said Jack Dixon, now the league president.

“Having a wall like that helps with the program: helps the skill development of every kid.’’

At Walpole High, the spirit and determination of a former Rebel athlete has served as an inspiration for the boys’ lacrosse team. Shawn Maloney, Class of 2004, went on to play collegiately at Colorado College. Last April, he broke two vertebrae in his back while hiking in the Bay Area.

He was told that he would not walk again. Step by step, the 30-year-old Maloney has persevered. He started with a giant brace, and then began walking with 2x4’s strapped to his legs for support. His doctors set a goal: 100 steps.

Walpole coach Jason Andalo learned of his former player’s plight.

And his Rebel captains adopted “100 steps’’ as a team slogan.

“It was emblematic of how Shawn is approaching his injury,’’ said Walpole High captain Dan Ryan.

“You take it one step at a time, you stay humble, you work hard. And the big thing is, you never give up.’’

During Walpole’s double-overtime victory over Wellesley in April, Andalo said his players yelled “100 Steps’’ in every huddle.

“They see the bigger picture,’’ said Andalo, whose squad finished 14-3 in the regular season, qualifying for the Division 2 Central/East tournament.

“Sure, it’s nice to win, and luckily this year we’re doing it. But there’re bigger things out there.’’

Maloney’s recovery was miraculous. He started playing “wall ball’’ just months after the injury. By September, he could walk with little assistance. He received encouragement from former Boston University hockey player Travis Roy, whose foundation funds research for spinal chord injuries.

Walpole captain Ben Lucas said 100 Steps resonates beyond lacrosse into the classroom.

“Any sort of goal you want to achieve, just do that extra bit to get that grade or pass that test,’’ he added.

At Archbishop Williams, the healing process is progressing slowly. McClay said his team did not practice for nine days after McCarthy’s passing.

Throughout the season, ABW opponents honored McCarthy and her family with flowers. The Austin Prep players wrote a moving prayer.

“They’re hurting because they see it could happen in their lacrosse family,’’ McClay said.

The Bishop players have their own ways of remembering.

Senior Victoria Dean of Plymouth was not surprised when Archies drew sixth-seeded Martha’s Vineyard in the first round of the tourney on Thursday.

The Vineyarders’ main color?

Purple.

“We all feel like she’s here with us and guides us on through the season,’’ Dean said before jumping back into a one-on-one drill at practice.

“We take signs that she’s here with us and acknowledging that we’re doing good.’’

Matt MacCormack can be reached at matt.maccormack@globe.com.