Last night, the future of this year's Boy's High School State Championship is set in stone.  It seems a match-up all have long anticipated will play out in front of thousands as Issaquah will battle Mercer Island.  After two solid meetings this year leaving everyone wanting more, the two teams will battle for bragging rights and the title belt in the Boys High School Championships this Saturday at Quest Field.

Issaquah squeaked by Bainbridge with a Tierney goal in overtime to give them the birth into the Championships this weekend.  Bainbridge went up 3-0 early, with some back and forth momentum changes from Issaquah to Bainbridge and back again.  Issaquah tied it up with a Travis Wright goal and some well executed transition to level the playing field at 9-9.   Nick Tierney scores the game winner with 3 seconds left in overtime Hutchinson and Campi each had hatricks on the day. Hutchinson scoring 4 times in the playoffs may have awakened his scoring capability, registering roughly 25% of his tally in the last two games.  Look out for freshman Travis Wright.  He will be a weapon of choice as the Issaquah mids leave for college.

Mercer Island juggernaut dispensed Garfield with certainty in a 17-7 offensive showcase of the Mahony brothers.  Kevin, who was third overal in the league in points, had two hatricks on the league's all-state goalie, Jason Montoya.  Greg, had a hatrick as well scoring four goals himself.  If you don't know it, there are three more Mahonys after these two.  Taylor racked up a hatrick as well, with York scoring and proving the face-off victory is a major factor in controling possessions.   Garfield proved they can play in Division I their first year in, and short of losing their own juggernaut, Shane Moriarty to Albany next year, look for Garfield to come back strong with freshman phenom Caldwell Rohrbach and, of course, All-American Drew Snider.  Drew will lead the Bulldogs with fellow All-state team member Jason Montoya between the pipes.

For those who thought last year's Boys high school championship game looked like the superbowl two years ago, you won't be dissapointed this year.  Two offensive powerhouses battle this weekend in an exciting match-up and a break from tradition.  For the first time in recent history, Bainbridge will not make the Championships, and Issaquah's new blood is boiling at the opportunity! 

Mercer Island can expect nothing less, in what may be known as the immaculate Lacrosse season.  Travelling back to the East Coast, playing teams in Oregon, Mercer Island is getting national attention.  Coach Ian O'hearn feels all that will be for naught if the Islanders cannot execute this weekend.  Laxpower wrote an article about Mercer Island that I think drives the point home about the growth and strength in Washington Lacrosse; Washington is becoming a showcase for talent and people are starting to notice...See you Saturday!