The championship game for the middle school boys’ lacrosse “A” Team was held at the Upper School on Monday, April 13. At stake was the Palm Beach Independent School Athletics (PBISA) championship as well as a team banner – reserved for only those middle school teams who turn in an undefeated season.

The title was a joust for the trophy between our very own Benjamin Buccaneers and The King’s Academy Lions.  It was clear that the Bucs were determined and focused on their goal from the very beginning  as Benjamin scored the first two goals. However, King’s came back and registered three unanswered tallies of their own.

However, the Bucs would not be denied and pulled away in the second half. Players such as Chase Farriss, who scored multiple goals, and Blake Chami, who scored the opening goal, were key to pulling out the victory. The boys’ team was a winning  one, bringing the Middle School its fourth championship this year (the boys’ eighth-grade basketball team, girls’ soccer team, and baseball team also earned titles). The middie for the team, seventh grader Alex Goetschius, said, “The team had a great team aspect and really excelled on offense. We played unselfishly and always looked for the right pass. Transition was also a success. We had some of our bigger players on defense, Jack [Goetschius] and JoJo [LaBovick], really help out with big runs and good passes. Our biggest advantage was the strength of the eighth grade.”

The girls’ lacrosse  “A” team also earned a berth in its championship game against St. Marks. The girls’ team, which also had a great season, were up for the challenge. Players like Samantha Sweeney, Skyler Kretz, Kaitlyn Straub, and Abby Moss were all key players in the game. Unfortunately, after a hard-fought battle,  the girls came up short, losing 10-7.

“This season the girls had great lacrosse I.Q.s [and] they were smart with the ball,” said their head coach, Mr. Keller. “They did need to work on their stick skills, throwing and catching, but most importantly, this season the team treated each other like a family.” So maybe the girls’ lacrosse team didn’t bring home a trophy, but they displayed grit, character, and sportsmanship, and grew closer as a team. Player Skyler Kretz said, “I feel that some of us may have not come out in the right mindset, so we started off slower than we should have,  but we played until the very end.”

It’s certainly a lot to build upon as they look to capture the league crown next season. Based on the success of the program, both the girls’ and boys’ teams should be vying for the championship again next year.