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The
Jones Middle School Bears are continuing their
own tradition of excellence, capturing the State
Middle School title for the fifth time in the
last eight years, 13-3 over the Cincinnati Blue
Jays. The Jays are a team comprised of future
Cincinnati Moeller and St. Xavier players.
Head
Coach Brett Diehl's Bears were playing in
the championship game for the seventh time in
the last eight years and outscored their opposition,
48-13 to stand atop the mountain in Ohio middle
school lacrosse.
Diehl
and Hastings Head Coach Dan Hendrickson
have sent a steady stream of talent to the high
school over the last two decades. "It's great
to see our guys come up here to the high school
and contribute as sophomores," said Diehl.
One of his products, UA sophomore attackman Alex
Drake, was a major force in the Bears Midwest
title run, scoring six goals over the two-game
set in Detroit. Drake was named the offensive
Most Valuable Player of the tournament. "I
can't remember the last time a sophomore was even
mentioned for an award like that."
Perhaps
an even prouder moment for Diehl and his coaching
peers is to watch those middle school players
move from high school to college and then become
productive citizens. "Those kids come back
and work our camps and give back to the program.
It's great."
Upper
Arlington Mens Lacrosse certainly benefits from
a well-established feeder system, directed by
quality coaches, that will keep the Bears high
school program stocked for years to come.
The
Bears scored the first four goals of the game
en route to the 2007 title, finishing the season
a perfect 16-0.
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