A year after a boys? lacrosse team made its debut at Lake Orion High School, a girls? team will do the same this week.
The team had a big enough turnout at March tryouts (42 players), to field both a varsity and JV team this spring.
Bill Booth, along with his wife, Debbie, and Greg Blakely are coaching the team in their inaugural season.
‘We were surprised that we had enough girls for two teams,? Booth said. ‘But we’re really happy about it.?
Booth said between 20-25 girls came out for some after-school clinics in the winter, and interest in the sport grew from there.
‘We’re recognized by the MHSAA and we’re already signed up for the regional tournament in late May,? he noted.
‘The support we’ve gotten from the high school has really been great,? Booth added. ‘We have a 12-game schedule right now, and it’s still growing.?
‘The program is self-funded,? Booth said. ‘All the girls are paying a program fee.?
‘We have soccer players, swimmers, basketball players, cheerleaders,? he added, among others. ‘We have a wide-variety of athletes and they’ve picked up the game fast.?
Only two of the team’s players, Chelsey and Ronnie Booth, have played previously, back when they lived in Maryland.
‘I’m excited to have a team here,? said Chelsey, a junior with eight years of playing experience.
She said she’s helped explain some of the basics of the game to her new teammates, and stressed the importance of communicating on the field.
Sophomore Marissa Matthews is one of the 40 newcomers to the sport, though she’s also a volleyball player.
‘It’s really a dynamic sport,? she said. ‘There’s a lot to take in.?
The team is one of about 50 girls? lacrosse teams across the state.
‘We want to see their skills get better,? Booth said. ‘We want to see that teamwork develop, have everyone learn the game and have fun.?
The team traveled to Waterford for their first-ever game after this edition went to print.