This 12 months’s Deseret Information Lacrosse Gamers of the 12 months had been instrumental of their groups’ success.
Whether or not dominating on offense, anchoring the protection, or stepping up in essential moments, these athletes delivered distinctive performances and proved to be among the many state’s elite.
Right here’s a take a look at the 2025 Deseret Information Lacrosse Gamers of the 12 months.
6A Participant of the 12 months
Rhett King, Nook Canyon, Jr., Goalie
Thanks largely to the play of junior goalie Rhett King in internet, Nook Canyon had a season to recollect, ending with a victory over Davis within the 6A championship.
On the season, King had a robust 3.8 GAA and a .728 save %.
Nook Canyon head coach Jeff King relied so much on King this season to shore up the protection and he delivered in additional methods than one.
“Rhett King was the cornerstone of our protection, main a unit that held opponents to beneath 4 targets per recreation all through the season. His fast reflexes and good positioning in aim persistently shut down scoring alternatives,” stated coach King.
The management that King displayed in aim usually gave the group a spark not solely defensively however on the offensive finish as effectively.
“Past the crease, Rhett performed an important position in gaining possession, usually sparking transitions with key saves and clears. He completed the season as our second-leading floor ball collector, underscoring his hustle and all-around affect on the sector,” added coach King.
“His management and depth set the tone for our whole defensive unit. Whereas not an official statistic, Rhett usually spearheaded our clear, oftentimes going into the offensive facet to assist us in transition.”
5A Participant of 12 months
Braxton Horoba, Alta, Sr., Assault
Whereas Alta’s season ended one recreation ahead of it hoped, there have been nonetheless many positives to remove from the season and perhaps none larger than senior Braxton Horoba.
Horoba was a key cog within the Alta assault. On the season, Horoba tallied 72 targets to go together with 47 assists.
“What units Braxton aside is his distinctive discipline imaginative and prescient. He has a singular means to see performs develop earlier than others do, which made him a useful asset in each recreation. His versatility allowed him to adapt to any scenario — whether or not it required physicality or finesse,” stated Alta head coach Brandon Horoba.
“His shiftiness and creativity as a dodger made him extraordinarily troublesome to defend, and he usually created scoring alternatives not only for himself, however for his teammates as effectively.”
Whereas recognized primarily for his targets and offensive show, Horoba confirmed unbelievable toughness and deal with protection, inflicting 27 turnovers for the season.
“Braxton was at all times prepared to take a success or take in a test to make a high-value play. His toughness and dedication to the sport had been unmatched. As a two-year captain at Alta, he led by instance daily with an unbelievable work ethic and robust management presence,” stated coach Horoba.
4A Participant of the 12 months
Rome Swanwick, Choose Memorial, Jr., Assault
Choose Memorial was capable of seize the 4A championship in convincing trend, routing Juan Diego 15-4 within the title recreation.
A lot of the group’s success this season could be attributed to standout attacker Rome Swanwick.
Swanwick was a relentless pressure on the prime of the Choose Memorial assault, main the group with 61 targets and 25 assists to tally 86 factors.
“Rome is likely one of the purest shooters within the state, if not the highest. He elevated his help rely by 10 from final 12 months in opposition to the highest competitors out and in of the state,” stated Choose Memorial head coach Jeff Brzoska. “He is likely one of the hardest riders on the assault facet I’ve ever seen and groups recreation plan to keep away from his facet of the sector of their clear.”
Swanwick was injured for a giant chunk of the season with a nagging tailbone and achilles damage however to his credit score, continued to play by it and by no means missed a recreation.
“He’s a real gamer who simply likes to play lacrosse and was named a group captain this spring. Rome was awarded a USA Lacrosse All-American this 12 months for the primary time. Me and all the teaching workers couldn’t be extra happy with Rome for incomes the 4A participant of the 12 months once more as he has been a scoring machine since his freshman 12 months for Choose as a three-year starter,” stated Brzoska.
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