Only four league games in Division I this week with Mercer Island and King’s Way each involved in two of them, including their head to head match up. Bellevue finally lost a game but earned more national respect in battling Long Beach and Wantagh of New York to close, tough losses. Issaquah has quietly won 5 straight after an early three game losing streak, including wins over Oregon Episcopal and Lake Oswego in Oregon this week.

I don’t know about you, but for me this lacrosse season has been suspiciously empty of foul weather; uncharacteristically dry and unseasonably warm. My Paul Rabil Shop99™ long underwear and my Lewis Ratcliff signature ear muffs haven’t even been out of their bags yet. But on the drive from Seattle down to Vancouver to catch Friday’s Mercer Island v. King’s Way game, the heavy rains convinced me I would have to at least break out my Coach-V-what -is-that-on-your-head Rainhat.  By McNutty

OREGON CITY, Ore. – Sean Sternberg scored seven goals as Sammamish-Newport secured its fifth boys high school lacrosse win of the spring with a 14-2 defeat of Oregon City, Tuesday at Oregon City High School in Oregon City, Oregon. Sternberg finished the night with nine points (7g, 2a) and two ground balls to lead all scorers while Ian Weiss had three goals and an assist in the win. Courtesy of US Lacrosse – Washington.

If not already doing so, get in the habit of browsing the WHSBLA Stroll Twitter feed avaialbe through Twitter or available in condensed form directly on the WHSBLA and Walax home pages.  In addition to reading this weekly column a quick browse of the WHSBLA Stroll Twitter page or feed will give you a good sense of what took place during the past week.  A relatively light week due to Spring Break, but here are a few nuggets for you…

“We need a stick.” Rarely have such innocent words impacted the lives of so many people all over this country. The year is 1980 and the students at St. Hugo of the Hills grade school in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan were watching their 6th grade science teacher, Ron Hebert.  Mr. Hebert had a lacrosse stick, leftover from playing days at Michigan State and box lacrosse days in Windsor, Canada. During lunch he would run with the stick, cradling a ball and arousing curiosity in young boys.  They’d never seen one before and were intrigued when Mr. Hebert would let them hold it, and on rare occasion throw a ball against the side of the school. It didn’t take long  before they realized, “We need a stick.” By McNutty.

CONCORD, Mass.  – Erasing any doubt that Mercer Island High School is a force to be reckoned with on the national prep lacrosse stage, the Islanders emerged from their latest East Coast foray with a respectable 2-1 record after dishing out back-to back defeats of defending boys state champions in Maine and Massachusetts. Story courtesy of US Lacrosse - Washington.

The Eastlake Wolves visited the Bellevue Wolverines on Tuesday. The game was circled on the calendar by both teams because it was the return of Chris O’Dougherty, head coach of Eastlake, and former assistant coach at Bellevue. OD, as he is known to all, is a coach well-liked by players and parents all over Puget Sound, as well as a celebrity member of Washington Stealth indoor professional lacrosse team.  After three years and two State Championships at Bellevue, Coach OD was ready to take the reins of a new program. And tonight, his new boys faced his old boys for the first time. By McNutty.