It was a better year than last, but still a lot of room for improvement. That was the assessment of Hawk’s Jr C coach Karl Carnduff, as he looked back on the 2018 lacrosse season after the team’s recent wind-up banquet.
The Hawks finished with seven wins and nine losses in the Ontario Junior C loop, and were eliminated in straight games in the playoffs.
“We started out 3 and 0 after trips to Cornwall and Clarington,” explained Carnduff, “ and then we ran into Whitby and Peterborough. We gave it our best but talent always prevails.”
Despite the record, Carnduff said this year’s team was a big improvement over the previous season.
“When Caleb and I first got there each practice was like nine guys, “ he recalled. “This year we had 20 guys at the start of the year and 20 when it was over.”
“As long as they have fun, that’s the main thing. At our banquet we had 16 guys show up and that’s good.”
At that banquet several of the team’s players were recognized for their contribution to the team and their play.
Duke Knox was the Hawks Most Valuable player. This was his final year with the club. “He’s been playing lacrosse since he was four years old,” said Carnduff. “He’s Jack Bionda’s grand kid and very boisterous and a real leader. He’s going to be a coach somewhere someday.”
The top defensive player of the year award went to second year player Tyler Arnott. “He’s a big kid, our best D guy,” said Carnduff, “and was noticed by a lot of coaches who talked to me about him. He’s aggressive .”
Leading scorer for the Hawks was Jack Drinkwalter. “He was great with the ball and has a great shot,” said Carnduff, “and didn’t mind getting hit and led in points after we traded Chris McLaughlin to Whitby.”
Rookie of the year was Dylan Lawrence who made his size felt on the floor. “He really came on and if we had a most improved player award he would have won that too,” said Carnduff. “He never missed a practice all year. Even after a school trip to Europe he made a special effort to get to practice on the day he returned. The award was well deserved.”
The coaches award went to Zach Greening, recognizing his effort through the year even when out for a month with a shoulder injury. “We picked him up from Oakville when the family moved to Huntsville, “ explained Carnduff. “He impressed me first tryout.”
The Mark Simmons award went to Shea Greenaway. That award goes to the player picked as the team leader, on and off the floor. “Heart and soul, that’s the thing,” said Carnduff . “We call it the team spirit award, usually voted on by the team. Shea was in his last year with the club and had been playing lacrosse since he was four years old.”
Greenaway is one of seven players who will not be returning next year because of age and that is going to be a challenge for the Hawks organization as they continue to try and improve their record. Some of those holes will be filled by upcoming midget players, but 2019 is going to require some creativity and good fortune. Carnduff looks at the Huntsville minor lacrosse program and says the future is promising when looking at the Tyke and Novice numbers and results.
But first things first, and that is building on the successes of this year’s team and keeping the fun in the game.
Photos courtesy of Debbie Reynolds, Hawk President
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Sandy McLennan says
Congratulations to all for your involvement and work. I like the photo: original to me way of showing a sports team. We can see the faces and personalities.