Another year has come and gone… seems like this stroll just began…

 

The Division I Stroll…

 

·        WHSBLA Division I – State Champions: Issaquah

In the finals, Issaquah bolted to a 4-1 lead, pushing to 8-3 before Mercer Island got one back just before halftime.  A fairly quick 3rd quarter saw both teams go scoreless until the Islanders found the net with just 12 seconds in the period.  Issaquah responded early in the 4th, scoring two straight to push things back to a five goal margin at 10-5.  The game was far from over though, as a furious Islander comeback provided for a cardiac finish.  Mercer cut the lead to 10-8 with under four minutes to play.  Issaquah had a solid chance to put it out of reach, but Hap Giraud came up big in net providing for the final surge.  Mercer was able to put one in with 10 seconds left and won possession after a hold call on the ensuing face off.  Steve Caditz pushed towards net and Issaquah was flagged with 1 second on the clock.  A desperation shot was saved at the buzzer and Issaquah held on for the 10-9 win to repeat as champions!

 

For other complete game recaps of the Final check out Westside Lax.com or the WA Chapter of US Lacrosse. 

    

          SEMIFINALS

  • Mercer Island pounded Curtis, and did so without Daniel Shields, to coast into the finals.
  • Bainbridge and Issaquah played yet another classic semifinal, overtime thriller… bringing back memories of 2005.  This time around was much more low scoring as both team’s keepers stood on their head at times.  Issaquah managed to stop Bainbridge twice in OT and on the second possession of their own, Kevin Powers snuck a bounce shot by Stevenson and sent Issaquah to the final. 

 

  • Issaquah assistant, Jordan Bayly was named Assistant Coach of the Year while Eastlake took home the Everett Smith Sportsmanship Award.

 

  • Sound Lacrosse has done a marvelous job capturing photos from most Division I teams and players.  They have photos of nearly every All-State player for your viewing pleasure.  Check it out!

 

The D2 Stroll…

 

·        WHSBLA Division II State Champions: Overlake

It took 20 years, but it was well worth the wait as one of the league’s oldest program finally made it to a state title game and they made it count.  The Owls came out absolutely on fire.  For those that love the fast paced, transition game this one was for you.  Overlake zipped the ball down field with precision, back door cut an often lost Crusader defense and dodged hard to the cage through waving sticks.  Devin Schmidt and Sky Tweedie-Yates each recorded 8 points while Ithaca commit, George Dolack added 3 goals and the Owls took the tile by a final of 17-11.  In capturing the title, the #2 seeded Owls from the Evergreen Conference knocked off three #1 seeds in Mukilteo, King’s Way and Eastside Catholic.  Their last regular season win was over the fourth #1 seed in Redmond.  An impressive way to finish the season to say the least.

 

For other complete game recaps of the Final check out Westside Lax.com or the WA Chapter of US Lacrosse

 

SEMIFINALS

  • Eastside Catholic took down Redmond 13-10.  The Crusaders got a combined 11 points and 21 groundballs from the Carlton brothers to earn their first trip to the DII State Title game in just their 2nd year of Varsity play.
  • Overlake kept soaring and flew back from Vancouver with a 10-6 win over King’s Way.

 

  • Plenty of awards handed out in Division II and you can read the press releases here… highlights below:
    • Roosevelt’s Bobby Walker was named the US Lacrosse Academic All-American.
    • King’s Way head coach, Dave Holler was named the WHSBLA Coach of the Year
    • Dr. Kevin Martin, a Lake Tapps and WHSBLA board member, was named Person of the Year
    • King’s Way was awarded the Everett Smith Sportsmanship Award

 

Lacrosse The Country… 

 

 

Lacrosse Four Thought…

Who are the players to watch in 2010?

What teams will vie for the title a year from now?

When will a program outside of Issaquah, Mercer, Bainbridge reach the Division I Final?

Why should (or shouldn’t) teams from Division II move to Division I or vice versa?

 

Fans Sound Off…

“Back to the All-American selection process…I guess you do not have to be American to be an “All-American”?  I assumed that our lacrosse All-Americans are ambassadors of Washington State as they go on to college to play lacrosse and represent our state and help pave the way for other lacrosse players from our state.  Was there discussion about this” – Anonymous

  • It is a fair question and one that was definitely discussed.  The facts are that Daniel Shields lives and attends school in our great state of Washington.  And should he choose to go on to play in college he will in fact be a good ambassador for our state as next to his name it will read Mercer Island.  It is no different then say a player from Washington going to boarding school back east and being named an All-American for that boarding school and that state.

 

Any thoughts? Ideas for future stories? Feeling the need to comment or vent?

EMAIL: TheSundayStroll@gmail.com