SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW: Sandpoint Boys Lacrosse will lean heavily on young talent

Last season: 6-14 with upset wins over Spokane Valley (12-9) and Coeur d'Alene (10-9) in the IHSLL North Regional Playoffs, which qualified them for the IHSLL State Championship.

Coaches: Ty Wilson (16'), head coach, second season; Christian Crossingham (15'), assistant coach and offensive coordinator; Ian Gaffney, assistant coach and developing team head coach.

Key returners: Kohta Fisher (attacker), so.; Dallen Adam, (defender), sr.; Jakeb Addison (defender), so., jr.; Jacob Aexel (attacker), sr.

Key newcomers: Liam Bowen (midfielder), fr.; Trenton Cross (midfielder), fr.; Jaxson McElroy (goalie), fr.; Oliver Porietis (attacker), jr.

Key losses: Sawyer Treadaway (defender); Blayne Kanning (attacker); Ryan Doko (goalie); Kostas Bauck (midfielder); Wylie Wimmer (midfielder); Hayden Sisk (defender).

Outlook: All six all-conference selections from last year's team, three of which were named all-state, have moved on. Sandpoint High second-year head coach Ty Wilson recognizes his team is a young one, but also believes his team is poised and eager to see what they can do in the newly configured IHSLL North Region.

In addition to Coeur d'Alene, Lake City, Logos, Immaculate Conception and Spokane Valley, the Bulldogs will face off against Mt. Spokane, Chesterton of Notre Dame, the Spokane Stealth (Lewis & Clark) and Gonzaga Prep in league play this year after a successful league vote.

"Everyone said yes and that we were more than happy to open the door — it allows for some more competition," coach Wilson said. "Them joining is going to elevate the play throughout the league. In my personal opinion, I think it's a good thing... we have to play the best to be the best and these teams can show us what we need to focus on, but at the same time, I think we're going to surprise them with the group that we have."

A sophomore attacker, Kohta Fisher, who scored a goal in the Bulldogs' season opener, returns and will be a main source of offense. As a freshman, he provided 10 goals, five assists and 13 groundballs. Senior captain Jacob Aexel also returns after putting up five goals and eight assists a year ago. Junior Oliver Porietis, new to varsity this season, has also shown vast improvement coming out of the offseason.

"He was in one the first middle school groups I've coached," coach Wilson said of Porietis. "It's a full circle moment knowing he's now going to be getting some looks at varsity level. It's exciting to me to see how he has matured as an athlete, how he thinks about playing the game."

Emerging as one of Sandpoint's newest scoring options, freshman Liam Bowen impressed in his varsity debut against Mt. Spokane, scoring three goals and picking up five groundballs. Coach Wilson said Bowen, along with fellow freshman Trenton Cross, held their own at the faceoff position against some highly competitive upperclassman in their opener against the Wildcats.

"We have full intentions of putting our best foot forward, and some of our freshman are that best foot forward," coach Wilson said. "Our freshman this year are true lacrosse players. Some of them play multiple sports, but when you see them on the lacrosse field, there is no denying that that's what they do. I'm expecting the nerves and jitters to come out at some point, but these freshman are going to be able to keep their head in some pressured situations."

10 of this year's 30 players are first-year students at Sandpoint High.

On defense, senior Dallen Adam, who played long stick midfielder last season, along with sophomore Jakeb Addison, will play as close defenseman this season. With the loss of Sawyer Treadaway, who now plays at Montana State, and Hayden Sisk, who hailed from Priest River... along with the loss of veteran goalie Ryan Doko... the Bulldogs are going to need a handful of newcomers to step up to stop opposing attacks.

"Our No. 3 spot is up for grabs," coach Wilson, who formerly played on Sandpoint's defense during his high school years, said when asked about the defensive rotation. "We have three guys showing some good potential and we'll be trying to get them all time and see how it shapes up. Seeing how our defense looks now, we definitely have one that's strong and reliable."

At goalie, senior Catcher Reid and freshman Jaxson McElroy split time in their varsity debuts this past Friday. Sophomore Ryan Gaffney is another emerging goalie for the Bulldogs and the trio will be rotated in and out this season as Sandpoint looks for a new main man between the posts.

"There's a ton of possibilities there, which I think is exciting," coach Wilson said when asked about the goalie position. "Skill-wise, I would feel comfortable with any of them. I think they all have really good goalie instincts and reactions. They're all showing immense potential for any type of game. I'm excited to see how it all levels out as the season gets rolling."

This season, Sandpoint will roll with just a varsity squad due to not quite enough numbers to comfortably field a junior varsity. For those that don't see a ton of varsity minutes, they'll see plenty in a handful of 'developing games' this season.

"I want to give these players fair field opportunities in a game where they can be competitive," coach Wilson said. "I'd rather them play the majority of minutes in a game where they can work on their skills compared to a game where they get a couple of minutes and can't learn anything."

Overall, coach Wilson said he's excited for another season of Bulldog lacrosse, which was founded in 2005 and is celebrating their 20-year anniversary this year.

"Last year was a big learning experience for me," coach Wilson said about his first year as head coach. "I think I took a lot away from it and can apply what I learned last year to this year, and we'll see if we can come up with a different result."

Sandpoint Boys Lacrosse Schedule 

3/14 — @ Mt. Spokane, 7 p.m. 

3/19 — vs. Coeur d’Alene, 5:30 p.m. 

3/22 — vs. Chesterton of Notre Dame, 12:30 p.m. 

3/24 — vs. Coeur d’Alene, 5:30 p.m. 

3/26 — vs. Logos, 6 p.m. 

4/9 — @ Coeur d’Alene, 5:30 p.m. 

4/11-4/12 — @ Fort Missoula Tourney 

4/14 — vs. Immaculate Conception, 5:30 p.m. 

4/17 — @ Lake City, 5:30 p.m. 

4/19 — @ Mead, 12 p.m. 

4/22 — @ Immaculate Conception, 5:30 p.m. 

4/24 — vs. Spokane Stealth, 6 p.m. 

4/26 — @ Chesterton of Notre Dame, 12 p.m. 

4/28 — vs. Gonzaga Prep, 6 p.m. 

4/30 — @ Logos, 6 p.m. 

5/2 — vs. Spokane Valley, 6 p.m. 

5/5 — vs. Lake City, 5:30 p.m. 

5/6 — @ Immaculate Conception, 5:30 p.m. 

5/8 — @ Mt. Spokane, 6 p.m. 

    Sandpoint High sophomore attacker Keagan Cole looks for a teammate upfield during a home game last season against Lake City.