Change has a way of working out better than anticipated in sports. Whether it’s a professional switching teams via free agency or a trade, or any athlete retooling a swing or shot or even switching positions.
The later worked in the cases of Clarkston lacrosse freshmen attackers Jon Avery and Andrew Schram, who were moved from mid-fielders to the offensive-minded spots near opponents? cages. ‘They were both middies at the beginning of the year. As we kept playing, their attributes led them to be attackers,? Clarkston coach Brian Kaminskas said.
‘We saw their talent and realized they would be better down low by the cage.?
‘At first I didn’t like the switch,? Schram said.
‘I wasn’t used to dodging from behind the net, but I got used to it.
Their success, along with, the rest of the Wolves, propelled Clarkston to their first district championship in the state playoffs in May.
After being fostered by veteran attackmen Chris Salo and Steve Gainnaris throughout the season, Kaminskas expects the tandem to outdo their 35-goal freshman season.
‘We’re expecting them to pick up where they left off and run our half-field offense,? Kaminskas said.
‘Attacker is the hardest thing to fill and we have them for the next three years. We’re expecting them to come out of the shadows of the older guys and controlling the offense.?
The pair began playing together long before they hit the field at Clarkston stadium. Andrew and Jon’s older sister’s played for the same soccer team six years ago, and the two future lacrosse standouts came together. Avery had already been playing lacrosse for three years before he found his future wingman.
‘We’ve played together since I started and we always know where each other are.?
Their chemistry translates well onto the varsity level, Kaminskas said.
‘Andrew’s a shooter and Jon is a feeder,? he said.
‘They balanced our attack so we could shoot from one side and feed from another spot up top. It allows us to attack from all points,? Kaminskas said.
Avery’s toughness is his strongest suit, Kaminskas said. ‘He has no problem taking a hit to make a feed or take a shot. When we ride the ball, he’s an animal, you’d think he’s a (defensive midfielder) or a long-stick the way he tries to take the ball away,? he said.
Avery’s tenacity didn’t come without work lifting weights and conditioning.
‘It’s been pretty tough getting used to the play and how fast and (physical) it is,? Avery said.
Schram’s intelligence and ability to read the defense is a big factor in the attackman’s style.
‘Before he makes a dodge, he knows if he’s going to shoot or pass,? Kaminskas said.
That type of ability comes from being a multi-sport athlete, Kaminskas said. ‘It’s a self-taught type of talent and it takes a heck of a lot of practice.?
The impact the two had on the team as freshman came as a surprise to them as well as the coaches. ‘I thought I’d be there to get used to the game, I didn’t realize I was going to start,? Schram said.
The 15-year-old Avery has been playing lacrosse for nearly a decade. Nine years ago, Jon began to play the sport with his father, Jim, a former collegiate lacrosse player, before and after recreation league soccer games. He hopes to play lacrosse for University of Michigan or Johns Hopkins University in college.