By Mike Waters / Contributor
FRISCO — Before starting their college careers, local standouts shared the field one last time at the Adrenaline All-American Lacrosse Games at The Star.
Four recent Hockaday graduates — Sunnie Wang (Brown), Lily Gum (Georgetown), Aynalie Charron (Tufts) and Charlotte Schultz (Harvard) — represented the Daisies, while Highland Park alums Parker Addison (Jacksonville) and Ben Boyer (Virginia) played in the boys showcase.
It was “a last chance to get some of the gang back together again,” said Wang, who recorded a game-high four goals to lead her Team South squad in a 20-16 defeat.
Less than two minutes into the game, Gum staked Team South to a quick 1-0 advantage, scoring on an assist from Charron. “Just like like old times,” said Gum, with Charron nodding in agreement.
Wang added a go-ahead score with 2:00 left in the opening quarter for a 4-3 lead. Later, a Hockaday collaboration to tie the score just seconds after halftime, when Gum assisted on a Wang tally.
Neighborhood Spotlight
Park Cities
Where the Park Cities Stay Connected.
“That was really cool,” said Wang, acknowledging the familiarity. Wang, just over a minute later, notched another goal for a 10-9 South lead, before Team North used a 6-0 spurt in the final 8:11 of the third period to surge ahead for good. Wang scored again in the fourth quarter.
“Just a fantastic weekend,” said Gum. “Everything about it was great.”
Hockaday capped a 19-1 season this spring with its fifth straight Texas Girls High School Lacrosse League championship.
“The entire weekend was great, but the very best part was the four of us playing together again,” said Schultz. “Memories that will last a lifetime.”
In boys action, Addison scored an early goal as his Team North squad went on to a 12-10 victory. Addison rifled in his shot with 1:41 left in the opening quarter that forged a 3-2 Team North lead.
“We really did a good job of communicating,” said Boyer, referencing Team North’s defense. “Just a great job by everybody.”
Addison might have been the only participant at the event to have previous playing experience at The Star, as he was also a member of the HP football team that took part in three playoff games on the same field last fall.
“Yeah, played a few games here. Awesome place to play,” said Addison, who added the weekend was “like no other. My whole family is here. Meeting new guys has been awesome. Great coaches.”
And the best part? “Getting to play again with my best friend right here,” said Addison, nodding toward Boyer standing next to him. “We have been best friends forever. Another great memory to add with so many we have shared over the years at Highland Park.”
The Adrenaline All-American Games — which began in 2011 for boys with a girls component added in 2018 — is intended to showcase some of the top high school graduates from the western part of the country. More than 100 boys and girls were selected to this year’s squads, hailing from 12 different states.
Prior to the two headlining games, the Adrenaline Futures event was held for the first time, which featured two rosters of incoming freshmen.
Among the players were four from Episcopal School of Dallas (Charlie Swann, Jack Perkins, Fred Merkt, and Sequoyah Davis), three from HP (Cook Chillian, Beckett Farrell, and Blake Sontag), and Quinn Mackey from Jesuit Dallas.
Swann, Chillian, and Mackey all competed in the fastest-shot event at halftime, with Swann winning after earlier scoring the first goal of the game.
The Futures weekend includes a day-long clinic with various college coaches at the Lacrosse Barn in Addison. Players and their families also attend the Saturday evening banquet.
“Very well done,” Swann said of the weekend festivities. “Great coaching. Meeting a lot of new people. Just lots of fun.”
