As all
Summer Lacrosse League players know, we will not be having league games next week due to several absences stemming from the
Vail Lacrosse Shootout.
The Jr Buddha's Ballers are the successor to Team Nebraska, and represent the
Nebraska High School Lacrosse League in tournaments around the country, including Vail. Here is a list of returning and former Valley players listed on the
Jr Buddha's Ballers roster:
Sam Arends, Cam Bostwick
Hunter Couch, Ted Crites
Cole Griess, Dylan Griess
Tanner McDougal
Zach Zielonko and Tyler Nielsen as assistant coaches with the team. Both also play for the Master's level team, Buddha's Ballers. Other Des Moines area laxers will be traveling to Colorado to witness and/or participate in one the country's most prestigious tournaments as well.
Conference opponents for the Jr Ballers include Western Colorado Maveriks, Brady's Bunch, and national powerhouse FCA. Depending on their conference performance, the Ballers could face such storied clubs as the Baltimore Crabs, True Lacrosse, and Team Colorado.
In addition to Vail, the Jr Ballers competed in the
Dick's Sporting Goods Midwest Cup over the past weekend. The winner of the Midwest Cup qualifies for the national championship (
Tournament of Champions) in Florida. Unfortunately, the Jr Ballers narrowly missed this opportunity by a single goal in the championship game. All in all, finishing second in the Midwest Cup is a great result.
The Jr Ballers will follow up Vail with the
Pipe City Lacrosse Classic in Vernon Hills, IL on July 16. Like the Midwest Cup, the winner of this tournament books a ticket the the Tournament of Champions.
In November, the Jr Ballers will participate in the
Lonestar Shootout in Dallas.
As the results come in, I will do my best to keep you posted.