The Nook Canyon Excessive boys lacrosse group practices in Draper on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. The group is presently ranked No. 1 within the state and is among the many high 25 groups within the nation. Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information
On a chilly, windy night at American Fork Excessive, Nook Canyon boys lacrosse remained scorching, once more proving its dominance within the sport with a 14-point win over the Cavemen.
The 6A state rankings had the 2 faculties separated by the thinnest of margins — Nook Canyon coming in at No. 1 and American Fork at No. 2. On the sector, nonetheless, the Chargers confirmed the hole between the 2 packages is way wider than it seems on paper.
Nook Canyon has begun turning heads within the lacrosse world, discovering itself slated among the many nation’s elite at No. 16 to associate with its high rating within the state.
The Chargers have been spectacular of their contests performed exterior Utah as effectively.
“We went out to Colorado, performed the No. 1 group there and beat them,” Nook Canyon coach Aaron Ika mentioned. “We went out to California, performed the No. 1 group, beat them. We’ve been attempting to get these guys as battle-tested as we are able to for these in-state video games.”
However the Chargers’ dominance didn't start this 12 months. As an alternative, their success has are available in lockstep with the game’s first sanctioned season in Utah excessive faculties two years in the past.
“I feel it began with our 2020 seniors within the instance they had been to the (gamers) which can be seniors now,” Ika mentioned. “You realize, that 2020 group was large time and their legacy nonetheless lives on, in the way in which we act, the way in which we play, the way in which we put together. So it’s been implausible for us, the legacy they’ve left.”
Nook Canyon began the 2020 season 3-0 earlier than COVID-19 canceled the remainder of the schedule. The following 12 months, the Chargers put collectively an ideal 22-0 document, ending their flawless season with a win over Park Metropolis within the Division A state championship recreation.
The Chargers’ familiarity with one another has led to a lot success on the sector.
“It’s identical to sort of a sixth sense I really feel like all of us have enjoying collectively,” Chargers senior midfielder Mason Fast mentioned. “That’s what actually makes us good. We discover one another on the sector to have the ability to get open and get these targets.”
Since boys lacrosse turned a sanctioned sport in 2020, the Chargers have compiled a formidable 36-1 document, their solely loss approaching the highway in double additional time to California’s Corona del Mar earlier this month.
“We’ve been enjoying one another for a very long time,” Nook Canyon senior Jon King mentioned when requested about what makes this group so particular. “We have now good leaders on this group and other people that actually care about one another and it’s greater than lacrosse, actually. We’re just about brothers at this level.”
King and kin have put collectively a outstanding run over the previous few seasons. The senior attacker ranks first within the state in targets scored with 53. Fast is available in at fourth with 45 targets on the 12 months.
“My teammates greater than something have gotten me the ball in the fitting scenario,” King mentioned of his goal-scoring prowess. “So I give most the credit score to the folks passing me the ball on the objective.”
Nook Canyon is loaded with expertise, boasting a number of gamers with provides to play lacrosse after highschool.
“I feel we've at this second 13 dedicated gamers,” Ika mentioned. “That’s a testomony to how arduous they work on their very own they usually come right here they usually’re prepared to purchase right into a group system and the group environment. It’s hats off to them for working so arduous on their very own however then shopping for into the group idea that we’re attempting to get them to do.”
Few groups within the nation play on the degree of Ika’s squad. With a lot expertise, the Chargers are assured they'll win one other state championship this 12 months. “I feel the one approach we might lose is that if we shot ourselves within the foot by not enjoying as a group,” Fast mentioned. “However I don’t assume that’s going to occur as a result of we’ve been enjoying as a group all 12 months.”
Nook Canyon’s teamwork has catapulted the varsity to extraordinary heights, placing it on the height of greatness.