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Pipeline event proving box popularity is surging in Kentucky and nearby states

By USBOXLA Staff, 12/22/17, 11:30AM PST

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Teams from Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Georgia competed in the Louisville event. (Photo: Pipeline Box Lacrosse)

Clubs from Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Georgia competed in the Louisville event. (Photo: Pipeline Box Lacrosse)

Since 1987, when the National Lacrosse League was first formed, the planet’s premier professional lacrosse loop has yet to see a player from Louisville, Kentucky play a regular season game.

Well, that may change soon enough, thanks in large part to the tireless work being done by Official US Box Lacrosse Association Member, Pipeline Box Lacrosse, who earlier this month held their third installment of the Pipeline Box Lacrosse Tournament.

Split into two weekends due to increased demand, the event showcased Kentucky-based clubs, but also out-of-state teams from nearby Tennessee, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Georgia.

“I really want to thank everyone who participated in this year’s Pipeline Box Lacrosse Tournament,” said Pipeline Founder and USBOXLA-certified Coach Tom Windham. “We’ve seen a vast improvement not only in our own Louisville-based players, but also in those teams who’ve played in the event over the past three years.

“It’s so amazing to see players’ box IQ improve and become high-level box lacrosse players. The development we’ve seen here has just been fantastic.”


Former National Lacrosse League player and coach Bob Hamley in Louisville with 3d Georgia. (Photo: Pipeline Box Lacrosse)

Both weekends were held at King Louie’s Sports Complex, with younger age groups competing the first week and high schoolers the next.

“I think Tom, the local coaches and parents have been doing an outstanding job growing the game in Kentucky,” said USBOXLA Co-Founder Shaydon Santos. “The Pipeline Box Lacrosse Tournament has really evolved into something special in a relatively short amount of time, and the growth within the state and nearby states was really evident at this year’s event.

“From player development, to coaching and officiating too, I can’t say enough about the positive strides Pipeline has made across the board. These guys are doing it right, and their players are the ones benefiting from that commitment. They are amazing members we really value.”

The second weekend of action showcased some of the most skilled and heated play of the Pipeline event when the high school teams took the turf. “The compete level was extremely high,” said Windham. “This, the second year of our high school division, was very successful, and we’ll look to further expand that division next year.

“We’re already working on making the 2018 Pipeline Box Lacrosse Tournament even more successful than any previous year. I already can't wait for next year.”

While no NLL pros have come from Kentucky, yet, remember the names below from not only the Bluegrass State, but others as well. Division champions and MVPs, who received a Pipeline box lacrosse player pack compliments of Powell Lacrosse and Stickhead Sports in Louisville, included:

HIGH SCHOOL A
Champion: L4 Lacrosse (Kentucky)
Runner-up: Lexington Knights
MVP: MVP: #88, Henry Stites, L4 Lacrosse

HIGH SCHOOL B
Champion: L4 Lacrosse (Kentucky)
Runner-up: St. Louis Samurai (Missouri)
MVP: John Downing, L4 Lacrosse

GRADE 7/8 GROUP 1
Champion: Atlanta Revolution (Georgia)
Runner-up: Louisville King’s Select 2022 (Kentucky)
MVP: Spencer Vandenberg, Atlanta Revolution

GRADE 7/8 GROUP 2
Champion: Louisville King’s Select 2023 (Kentucky)
Runner-up: Atlanta Revolution (Georgia)
MVP: Jake Sendaydiego, Louisville King’s Select 2022

GRADE 5/6
Champion: Louisville King’s Select
Runner-up: 3d Georgia 2024
MVP: Trevor Havill, Louisville King’s Select

USBOXLA events are happening all over the country in 2018. Visit usboxla.com/events-tournaments to find out how you can attend the biggest and best box lacrosse tournaments in the US.