May 13, 2023 (Garces Memorial High School, Bakersfield CA) – The 805 Sharks boys’ high school team defeated the Bakersfield Rams 14-8 on Saturday to win their second consecutive Pacific Lacrosse League (PLL) title and finish the 2023 season undefeated at 10 – 0.
In their first game of the day in the PLL Semi-Final, the #1 seeded Sharks started off slowly but eventually wore down a gritty but undermanned Vista Panthers squad. The Sharks led 4-2 at halftime and after trading goals to start the second half, the Sharks finally pulled away midway through the 3rd quarter, eventually earning the 10 – 4 victory behind a series of unassisted goals from each of their two seniors and leading scorers – Max Hanchett (4 g) and Colby White (5 g).
In a repeat of the 2022 league final, the Sharks took on the Bakersfield Rams on a hot Saturday afternoon in Bakersfield. The #2 seeded Rams, who had defeated the Bakersfield Mustangs earlier that morning to earn their trip to the final, were hoping to return the favor from the previous year and upset the higher seeded Sharks. The Rams played well and kept the game closer than in the first two matchups of the year, but the Sharks showed that their undefeated record was no fluke, scoring the first three goals of the game and taking an early lead that they would never relinquish.
On the offensive end, the Sharks were led by their powerful senior duo of Hanchett (3 g, 2 a) and White (6 g, 1 a). The Sharks defense also performed well, shutting down the Rams offensive unit in the 6v6 half-field game behind strong performances from defenders Alan Burton, Keegan Bramer, and Jack Webber and freshman goaltender Lincoln Bloom. The Sharks’ man-down unit struggled on Saturday, and the Rams were able to tally several goals on their penalty opportunities to keep the game within reach, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Sharks steadily pulled away for the 14 – 8 victory and back-to-back league titles.
The players of the game, players of the tournament, and MVPs for the season went to Max Hanchett and Colby White. The only two seniors on the Sharks’ 2023 squad, their impact was tremendous, with Hanchett finishing the season with 34 goals and 8 assists and White pouring in an astounding 48 goals and 34 assists. Between the two of them, they accounted for over 60% of the overall goals and points that the team scored during the entire season.
Both players have been with the 805LAX program for many years, and their playing ability and love for the game have helped set a solid foundation for our high school program. Max and Colby will clearly be missed next season, and our younger players will need to work incredibly hard to replace their goal production, game understanding, and leadership. Thankfully, we have a talented crew of underclassmen eager to improve and carry the baton passed on from Max and Colby. We wish them both the best as they embark upon their collegiate careers. Colby will be heading to Cal Poly this fall and is joining the Mustang’s football team to play quarterback. Max will be headed to either Cal Poly or the University of Colorado in Boulder.