Starting today, high school lacrosse season is back in action for Washington and that first whistle will come like music to all of our ears. We couldn’t contain our excitement for the 2016 campaign, so with only hours left to spare we’re ready to release the first WALAX Boys High School Lacrosse Ranking of the season.

Before you go on, please keep in mind that the first set of rankings are based on how teams finished in the 2015 playoffs, with some adjustments made due to teams moving divisions and final records. No adjustments have been made since the end of the 2015 season, including changes based on graduations, off-season incidents or staff changes.

Division I

1. Mercer Island (18-1)

2. Bellevue (16-4)

3. Issaquah (16-3)

4. Skyline (13-3)

5. Woodinville (10-6)

6. Kamiak (11-1)

7. Eastside Catholic (15-2)

8. Tahoma (15-5)

9. Seattle Prep (12-4)

10. Sehome-Bellingham (11-2)

There’s been a lot of talk around town about this year’s shakeups in Division 1. Between coaching changes, dozens of incredible local products moving on to the next level and with incoming teams firing into D1 with something to prove, 2016 is setting up to be one for the record books.

Fueled by a 7 to 1 goal surge in the 4th quarter, Mercer Island pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and captured their 6th Washington State Championship in program history. We can be sure the Islanders will bring a polished squad this spring, but will be sporting a brand new look. Saying goodbye to 12 seniors and 14 year head coach Ian O’Hearn, the group will be looking to create a new identity early on as Bellevue and Issaquah, two teams with deep returning benches, will be breathing down their necks from the start.

But there will be dozens of other contenders, chomping at the bit to make a run for the title. Thankfully we won’t have to wait much longer, Blanchet will head to Woodinville tonight for a 7pm start, kicking off the boys’ 2017 season. Shortly after, at 8pm defending DII State Champion Lake Washington will host Seattle Prep. On Saturday we will see three other match-ups including: Issaquah at Newport, 2:30pm; Tahoma at Bainbridge, 6pm; Skyline at Bothell, 7pm.

Division II

1. Overlake (9-3)

2. Providence (11-1)

3. White River (10-6)

4. Union (11-4)

5. Camas (10-5)

6. Gonzaga Prep (10-4)

7. Vashon (9-3)

8. Klahowya (11-4)

9. Lynden (5-8)

10. Columbia River (6-10)

Who could forget last year’s nail-biting finale? Following the intense 3 goal, 4th quarter comeback of Lake Washington over rival, Juanita, winning the Kangs’ first ever State Championship, the pair move into the deep Eastside Division 1 pool together.

Things are going to look a bit different when the defending champions, runners up and a few other major players in last year’s Division 2 scene make the jump in 2016 as well.

Meadowdale, Monroe, Sumner, Peninsula and Wenatchee are also departing the division, making room for some growing programs to shine. Excitement builds as all teams are reminded of the incumbent’s vacancy, a new victor must be crowned in May. All in all, 37 programs will take a crack at the championship chase as the Division 2 season is set to begin on Saturday at 1pm with Shorecrest’s trip to Friday Harbor. Other D2 games on Saturday include: Liberty at Camas, 3pm; Kamiak at Lynden, 4pm. For the final game of the weekend, Liberty will continue on the road, taking on Union at 11:30am Sunday morning.