With the Huntsville Hawks and Gloucester Griffins lined up at each end of the floor ready to start the game, the moment belonged to the most recent minor lacrosse champions. The Hawks had invited them to come and be recognized for their achievements. Four championship teams were honoured.
The players from the 2013 Ontario Pee Wee D championship team along with the 2015 Pee Wee D, Tyke C and Under 11 D Field lacrosse championship teams, stood at their respective white lines and listened as their names were announced.
No doubt the evening brought back memories of those final games. The Huntsville Tykes had beaten Akwasasne10 – 4 to take the C title last year. The Pee Wee D Division final game was much closer with Huntsville beating Mimico 4-3.
Earlier the banners recognizing their championships were raised to join the others in the Jack Bionda arena. In case you haven’t seen the display it is near section E. It’s difficult to see the banners in this location. Sad because the banners are hard earned and deserve to be more visible.
The Huntsville Hawks opened the season with five graduating Midget players this year, an example of the importance of the minor lacrosse program to the Junior C team. They are Kole Smith, A.J. Campbell, Dalton Boothby, Nick Van Gelder, and Jordan Vardy.
Huntsville’s minor lacrosse program has close to 100 players this year, including about 40 who are playing in the Paperweight division. This year, because of the interest in the under-5 category, Huntsville was able to field its first Paperweight rep team.
Most of the players and their coaches stayed to watch the Jr. C Hawks defeat Gloucester 13-6. Ty Conn, who put on a clinic for the younger players, had a 7-point night including two goals. Nate Zantingh had three goals while his twin brother Josh, along with A.J. Campbell and Nick Van Gelder, each scored twice.
The win came on the heels of an 11-10 loss in Whitby Friday night. The Warriors scored with just one second remaining to take the two points.
The win Saturday also helped boost the spirits of Huntsville goalie Zach Hubbard who had been the victim of the late goal the night before.
Huntsville has three games next week, playing at home to Barrie on Thursday, June 2, and Peterborough Saturday, June 4, then in Clarington on Sunday, June 5.
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