Boys lacrosse wraps up season

Sisters boys lacrosse squad wrapped up their season with a 10-7 victory at Burns on Wednesday, May 12. The Highlanders have a tough time getting teams to come to their home turf due to their remote location, but Coach Paul Patton told The Nugget the Outlaws had a nice drive over and it was nice to see their home fans turn out to watch the boys play.

The game was a JV contest and the Outlaws played with just 12, most freshmen and sophomores. It was a fairly even matchup as the Highlanders had 14 players. With 10 players on the field, Patton had to rotate the middie line of Mason Sellers, Sean Alvarez, and Clayton Heuberger back-and-forth with the attack group of Adam Maddox-Castle, Kyle Pilarski, and Eli Palanuk, to get them rest.

Bodie Dachtler, Ryan Kissinger, and Scotty Henderson, the defensive trio, played well and varsity goalie Clayton Craig and Nathaniel Alvarez filled in as subs wherever they were needed.

Hayden Kunz played the entire game in the goal and had some spectacular saves.

Patton said, “This was our only full JV game of the season, since we only got in two quarters of JV action after both our Summit and Bend games. This talented young group, combined with a strong junior class moving up to seniors next year, should give us a very competitive roster.”

On Friday, the team held their award barbecue. The team awarded Nathaniel Alvarez MVP, best teammate, and outstanding defender award. Titan Kroytz earned the outstanding leadership award, and Connor Martin was recognized with the outstanding team player award.

Dominic Minney was chosen as the most improved player, Kyle Pilarski as the outstanding young player, and Adam Maddox-Castle was picked as the top attack player. Riley Sellers and Ricky Huffman shared the top middie award, and Griffin Gardner and Ricky Huffman tied as the most competitive players. Oscar Rhett, Wyatt Maffey, and Gaven Henry were acknowledged with the all-around player award.

Three Outlaws received all-conference honors. Nathaniel Alvarez earned second-team attack, and Riley Sellers earned honorable mention face-off midfielder. The Outlaws squad was given the sportsmanship award by the High Desert League coaches.

Patton said, “Even though the season was a short one due to the pandemic, it was just good to be playing again after having last year’s season cancelled. We are looking forward to a great full season in 2022.”