This year’s edition of the Central South conference promises exciting times. Last season saw the addition of two new varsity expansion teams in Vancouver, with the birth of Camas and Union. Both are fielding JV teams this season and the growth is looking good down south. In the Tri-Cities, Richland split to see the birth of Southridge in 2014. Tri- Cities continues to grow and hopes to have both programs fielding JV squads next season. Selah will remain a part of the Central South Conference, but will only be fielding a junior varsity squad this spring.

Central South Preview

TEAM OUTLOOKS:

(In Alphabetical Order within each conference)

Camas

Camas returns nearly all of last season's squad only losing one to graduation. Growth has been huge in Camas as they have almost doubled in size this year allowing them to field a JV squad. Led by senior midfielder Bryce Tabbut and senior LSM Cassius Johnson, Camas should challenge for the conference crown. Head Coach, James Avino has plans to take his squad far this year.

Kings Way

The Knights have been reclassified as Division II due to the creation of two new teams in Vancouver last season (Camas & Union). Returning 13 players from last year's DI varsity squad, KW is the clear favorite in the Central South. They will be led by senior Justin Held on defense, senior Chris O'Conner at attack and junior midfielder, Brian Prigmore. With an experienced new head coach in former assistant, Josh Peck and the most experienced squad in the Central South, look for KW to make a run this year.

Richland

Growth in Richland gave birth to a split this year to form the new program at Southridge. Between the split and graduation they return just one varsity player from last year's squad. The young team will be led by sophomore midfield, Hayden Rukhaber and a new head coach, Chad Mitchell

Selah

Selah will only be fielding a JV team this year. We all look forward to their return to varsity status in 2015.

Southridge

Southridge is now home to lacrosse enthusiasts in the Kennewick school district. The split from Richland left Southridge with the more experienced half of the players. Senior attackman Chris Helms, Charles Williams and Junior Mario Midili should provide some offensive fire power. Junior midfielder Michel Hubbard will have to lead a young midfield. New head coach Terry Brown does have some challenges though, as the defense has no returning varsity experience.

Union

Union returns most of its squad from last season and has added some new young talent. Senior attackman Gunnar Drell and Junior midfielder Trey Chambers lead the offense.-With the loss of two non returning junior defensemen, Head Coach Eric McGuirk has his some defensive challenges to contend with. Fortunately, junior defenseman, Jack Lamey and junior goalie, Payton Summers are a good foundation to start from.

2014 Pre-Season Central South All-Conference Team

Attack

Mario Midili - JR - Southridge

Chris O'Conner - SR - King's Way

Charles Williams - SR - Southridge

Midfield

Brian Prigmore - JR - King's Way

Bryce Tabbut - SR - Camas

Hayden Rukhaber - SO - Richland

Defense

Justin Held - SR - King's Way

Cassius Johnson - SR - Camas

Jack Lamey - JR - Union

Goal

Payton Summers - JR - Union

Eastern Conference Preview

University-Central Valley

The Titans are excited to start the season with 9 talented seniors and an influx of new talent. The senior attack group should again combine for the bulk of the scoring, with Dane Konshuk-Mas and Devon Johnson leading the way. Seniors Chandler Hansen and Devayne Lewis will lead a promising midfield group. Defensively, senior Sam Polsin is a commit to NCAA DII Notre Dame de Namur, and is ready to gobble up groundballs.

Gonzaga Prep

After graduating more than 10, the Bullpups will need to go back to the cupboard, returning a total of only 8 upperclassmen. Prep will rely heavily on young talent from a 20-deep sophomore class. A solid defense will be led by Evan Ogden and John Stone while newcomers Conor McKenna, Ian McGinn, and Josh Condon will look to fill voids. Midfielders Brock Dineen, Matt Pennell, and Cian Peterson all add solid skills refined over the summer. Other top goal scorers will be Ashton Atwood, Cain Martin, and Ethan Barr. Each has the speed and quickness to wreak havoc on defenses.

Mead-Mt. Spokane

Big Cats lacrosse will be taking the field this year with a wide variety of experience levels and individual talents as the team is comprised of mostly sophomores and juniors. Zach Stewart is the leader from the back in goal. Isaac Miller will own the crease as a defensive stalwart. The midfield is deep, led by Josh Crawford. Crawford is also a top face-off man. The Big Cats are poised to make their mark on Washington Lacrosse.

Lewis & Clark

The LC-Ferris group plays under the banner of SouthHill Lacrosse. In just their second year they have grown from 13 players to 28 athletes committed and ready to play under the direction of new Head Coach, Mike Gerry.

Wenatchee-

The Thunder graduated just six from a squad that reached the playoffs a year ago before falling to Ballard. 2nd leading scorer Cory Leenders is back and is still just a junior. He will lead the offense from the midfield. Converted midfielder Thomas Higley, the top returner in the groundball category, is now running at attack. Junior netminder, Jace Pauley stopped 64 shots last year while posting a 7-1 record and should man the pipes again. Wenatchee should once again be at the top of the Eastern Conference.

2014 Pre-Season All-Eastern Conference Team

Attack

Thomas Higley - SR - Wenatchee

Dane Konshuk-Mas- JR - University-Central Valley

Ashton Atwood - SO - Gonzaga Prep

Midfield

Cory Leenders - JR - Wenatchee

Adam Chvilicek-SR-Wenatchee

Josh Crawford - SR - Mead-Mt.Spokane

Defense

Sam Polsin - SR - Univesity-Central Valley

Dane Collier - SR - Wenatchee

Evan Ogden - SR - Gonzaga Prep

Goal

Jace Pauley - JR - Wenatchee

Edits and Corrections…

Last week we mistakenly referred to Vashon lacrosse as the Pirates, and not the Vultures. Thanks Vultures, for the correction!

Best Upcoming Match-Ups…

O’Dea vs Seattle Academy 3/19 5:00pm – Last year teammates, this year opponents, two Garfield offshoots meet on Wednesday

We’ll give a shout out to the best emails of the week and include your comments/quotes in next week’s Sunday Stroll. We are still compiling a list of WHSBLA commits as well as WHSBLA alumns currently playing college ball this season so please send us your knowledge!

Feed us your thoughts… Time to hear from you… Bring it! EMAIL: [email protected]