Nation Ford boys’ lacrosse faces uphill battle to repeat as state champions
Last year was a season of redemption for Nation Ford boys’ lacrosse.
In 2022, Nation Ford started the season 19-0 before losing to Wando 21-9 in the SCHSL 5A Boys Lacrosse state championship game.
In 2023, the Falcons exacted their revenge against Wando in the state championship game with a 13-10 victory, finishing the season at 17-3.
“It felt amazing,” senior captain and midfielder Hunter Nickola said. “Coming back the second year and just winning against them and not being down as much the whole game after halftime, it felt amazing knowing that we had a lot bigger of a chance. Especially since we didn’t lose that many seniors, we knew we had a really strong chance that year, and we just knocked it out of the park. We played our best game that we had all season, and it ended the way we wanted it to.”
As with every state champion, Nation Ford aims to defend its crown, but the Falcons have their work cut out for them.
Thirteen players on last year’s team were seniors, playing crucial roles in Nation Ford’s state championship run. Six of its top-10 goal scorers from last season were seniors.
The Falcons now have their sights set on the 2024 season, and with so many players elevated into new roles, it’s not going to be the most seamless transition.
“That (2023) team’s done, that team’s over,” said Cory Turner, who is in his fourth year as head coach of the Falcons. “Now, we turn the page to a new team, and it’s a new year. Nothing matters. If you saw the back of our shooters shirts, it says ‘Nobody cares, work harder’. And that’s the truth because nobody cares what we did in the past. It’s all about what we’re doing in the present.”
The cupboard isn’t completely bare.
Junior Josh Ameo led the Falcons with 127 points and 84 goals scored last season, while Nickola finished fifth on the team with 26 points.
Having players that are established in their roles is a positive for a team looking to repeat as state champions, but for Turner, he needs the younger guys to catch up to speed.
“The young guys need to grow up fast,” Turner said. “I know we’re starting multiple sophomores, a freshman. Those guys need to play a year or two older than they are, and hopefully they’ll get there. That’s the goal right now. It’ll be a challenge, but it’s hard. Every year is hard. That said, we’ve been in state finals the last two years. To do it three years in a row would be amazing, but our goal first and foremost: win the region and get in the playoffs. After that, we all start 0-0, let’s try to make a run.”
Nation Ford currently sits at 2-3, 2-0 in region play, and will next play Spring Valley at home at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
This story was originally published March 7, 2024 at 6:00 AM.