Islanders compete in annual shootout

Seventeen Bainbridge High boys lacrosse players joined forces with players from three other Puget Sound area high schools in the ninth annual Space Needle Shootout.

The shootout, the Northwest’s largest lacrosse tournament, was held Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila.

The event drew more than 1,300 players and 4,000 lacrosse fans, and participating teams came from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Maryland and British Columbia.

More than 60 U-12 teams through U-18 teams competed for this year’s honors in more than 140 individual matches across two days.

Team BILS U-18’s squad, coached by Bainbridge Lacrosse and Colorado State Alum Dylan Preble, was comprised of players from Bainbridge, Lake Washington, Sammamish and Northshore.

The team went 3-0 to place first in their pool.

It didn’t come easy. The squad had a stunning victory in overtime against Team Rhino from Oregon, but then lost a first-round playoff game against a Canadian team from Langley in a back-and-forth overtime battle.

U-18 players from Bainbridge included Max LaRoche, Kaegan Ingrasci, Jake Knostman, Sean Maier, Dain Weisner, Reed Dolese, Adam Gargas, Nick King, Bryce Withers and goalie Reynolds Yarborough.

Seven Bainbridge players represented the Island on the U-16’s Team BILS squad, coached by Erik Stienecker, another Bainbridge and Washington alum.

The team went 2-2, losing a tough Friday night opener in pouring rain against Port Coquitlim, the largest lacrosse organization in Western Canada.

The team battled back for two wins against another Canadian team (Okanagan) and the Oregon Outlaws before pulling out a great win in the consolation bracket game Saturday evening against a tough U-18 team from Bend, Ore.

The U-16 Bainbridge roster included Ben LaRoche, Mike Rose, Ben Biggers, Ian Mackin, Nate Marx, Erik Nimb and Zach Morales.

Since its start in 1991, Bainbridge Island Boys Lacrosse has a history as a winning program. The club has generated 11 Washington State Boys High School Championships, 12 All-American players and numerous standout Division I collegiate players.

The program has been recognized for exemplary sportsmanship, scholastic excellence and achieving a high level of competitiveness, and includes a strong youth program that features playing opportunities for boys ages K-6, middle school and high school.

 

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