FRISCO — Area lacrosse high school stars participated in the 16th annual Adrenaline All-American Games July 26 at Ford Center’s The Star, which has hosted the two-day extravaganza since 2017.
A North-South format contest pits outgoing seniors in both boys and girls games.
The boys senior game began in 2011 and girls senior game began in 2018. A Futures Game using the same format was instituted last year to feature incoming freshmen.
Players and their families arrive on Friday evening, with Saturday events including the Futures with participants visiting the Lacrosse Barn; a world-class training facility in Addison built by former lacrosse players exclusively for lacrosse.
The seniors have a photoshoot for headshots and a media-style interview session early Saturday afternoon and the day concludes with a banquet for all players and their families as Adrenaline inducts a new member into its Hall of Fame, alternating annually by gender.
Sunday morning, the players have walk-throughs at The Star.
The girls Futures Game, the first of four contests, got underway early afternoon followed by the boys Futures contest. The two senior’s games took center stage in the evening to conclude the fun-filled weekend.
Dallas Jesuit’s Gabe James, headed for Ohio State, started in goal for Team South in the boys senior matchup. James played halfway into the second period for his team, which fell, 11-10, in an exciting matchup.
“It was fun being out there,” said James, who led his Jesuit high school team to the Division I state title this past spring. “Playing with, against, and meeting a lot of great players. It was fantastic.”
James, meanwhile, relished his time at Jesuit.
“Winning the state championship was really special,” he said. “It was a culmination of a lot of hard work and a great way to end my high school career.”
Looking forward to his collegiate experience at Ohio State, James says he is ready for the challenge.
“It’s the next step,” he said. “It’s a whole new level and I’m excited for the opportunity.”
Two Highland Park alumni — defenseman Jackson Bond and midfielder Hunt Henry — both saw action for Team South.
“It was a very competitive game,” said North Carolina signee Bond. “There was a lot of energy out there. It was fun to participate.”
Duke-bound Henry echoed his high school teammate’s sentiments.
“It was just awesome to be out there with so many great players. And we all really got after it.”
Both Bond and Henry were appreciative of their Highland Park high school careers and each credited “really great coaching” for helping them prepare for their next chapters — both in their lacrosse careers and in life.
Dartmouth signee Rocco Renda of Dallas St. Mark’s was also a member of the Team South contingent, while St. Mark’s lacrosse head coach Jason Leneau served as one of three coaches for the North seniors boys squad.
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