Gryphons, Cyclone advance to SOSSA
Brayden Hogan arrived in Fort Erie this year via Sarnia and Australia.
The 16-year-old, Grade 10 student at Greater Fort Erie Secondary School grew up playing lacrosse and hockey in Sarnia before moving down under for a couple of years when his mother’s work took her to Australia.
Hogan has settled in Fort Erie to play U18 hockey at the Crystal Beach Academy, where he is a defenceman, but has also shown a nice scoring touch in lacrosse.
Hogan collected six goals and four assists Thursday as the Gryphons topped the A.N. Myer Marauders 18-2 to capture the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association Zone 3 AAA field lacrosse title at E.L. Crossley.
Hogan said the Gryphons were determined play a sharp, disciplined game regardless of the score.
“It’s having the mindset where no matter who you play, you show up, you do the things and you get dialled in, you get prepared,” he said. “You just go out and give the same effort.”
Hogan, who plays junior B box lacrosse for the Point Edward Pacers, enjoyed his time down under where he was able to continue to play both the field and box games.
“I played for the state team there and for Western Australia,” he said. “We played in the World Series and Team Canada was third. It was around the same level as this.”
Hogan feels all the world travelling has been a huge benefit.
“I’ve learned a lot more from sports I think than being in a classroom,” he said. “Even with Mr. Pychel, I learn a lot more from him on the field than I do in class.”
Fort Erie head coach Justin Pychel loves what Hogan brings to the field.
“He comes to us from the hockey program and he brings a lot of leadership as well. The team sort of gravitates towards him. He’s brings a lot of energy. He is a hard worker and we’re happy to have him here,” Pychel said.
Pychel said Hogan has found his niche.
“It’s a short season and we’re trying to figure out who should be going where. We tried at midfield and attack and he seems to have found his groove at X behind the net and we’re hoping he continues to find success.”
The Gryphons had little trouble defending their zone tile against the inexperienced Marauders.
“We’re just trying to stick to the fundamentals and keep that even keel like last week,” Pychel said. “It’s the little things like when you play the top teams like Governor Simcoe or Denis Morris next week, you want to make sure those fundamentals are in place. Sometimes you get a little complacent when you’re up with such a lead so we’re trying to make sure we’re focusing on doing things right.”
The Gryphons now advance to the Southern Ontario Secondary School Association (SOSSA) AAA playoffs Tuesday, May 28 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland where the Denis Morris Reds should prove to be a formidable opponent. The Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs and a representative from Zone 1 are also entered.
“They are a very good team. They have a lot of junior A and junior B lacrosse players and great coaches so we’re looking forward to it. Hopefully have some good practices and we come out strong,” Pychel said of the Reds.
Dekin Hill added five goals for Fort Erie while Kalen Bennet and Brentin Porter three each. A.J. Ledingham also scored.
Cole Bateman and Logan Rossi replied for Myer.
With the zone title already sewn up, the Gryphons later squared off versus the E.L. Crossley Cyclone and dropped a 9-8 overtime decision.
Josh Paterson paced the Cyclone with five goals, including the winner in sudden-death OT.
Hogan, Bennet and Garret Liddiard had two each for the Gryphons while Hill and Porter added singles.
“They got us Tuesday and we didn’t want to let them get us again,” Crossley coach Kim Yallup said. “Playing in front of the school gives them such a boost. The last two years on buyouts we’ve had to play Governor Simcoe and it was a difficult game to play. They wanted to give their school a win.”
The Cyclone advance to the SOSSA AA championships Thursday at Governor Simcoe as the second representative.
The Cyclone will also advance to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) AA championships in Keswick provided Simcoe wins at SOSSA. Saint Francis and Holy Cross have also qualified.
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