From overtime thrillers to matchups in countless state championships, Hamilton Southeastern boys lacrosse has built its winning identity by stepping outside its comfort zone and taking on elite out of state competition.
This season, the boys lacrosse team plays nine out of twenty one regular season games against teams from either Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, or Missouri. The Royals build an intentionally difficult schedule, playing the top lacrosse programs in the Midwest. The Royals do this for one specific reason, to continue winning Indiana High School Lacrosse Association (IHSLA) State Championships.
“Iron sharpens iron,” Coach Scott Beesley said. “Our goal every year is to play the toughest schedule possible. This allows us to see our weaknesses and find ways to improve.”
Coach Beesley and the Royals know a lot about winning, as they have five out of the last seven IHSLA State Championships. This season the royals are in search of their third straight state title as they have defeated the Carmel Greyhounds in the past two state championships.
“We are very strategic about the teams that we schedule throughout the spring,” Coach Beesley said. “This year we are playing 4 teams that finished the year as state champions.”
The Royals have one of the hardest schedules in the Midwest playing each of the state champions in Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri. Each of these matches are thrillers but don’t always result in a win.
“You learn more from losing,” Coach Beesley said. “We understand that an undefeated regular season really doesn’t set us up well for the playoffs. Playing consistently dominate teams across the Midwest only makes us better.”
Beyond the scoreboard, these games have a different level of intensity. The Royals must make a long road trip and take over their territory or defend their own home field.
“It takes additional effort to schedule these games, work through the bus and hotel logistics, the pre and post-game meals,” Coach Beesley said. “Our players know that it is a privilege to have these additional opportunities. Playing against teams that aren’t used to losing is a huge challenge.”
Along with the intensity that these road trips bring, it strengthens team chemistry on and off the field. Extended time together builds stronger connections among the team and boosts chemistry.
“Spending time together is huge,” Coach Beesley said. “These trips provide us with an opportunity to spend uninterrupted time together. We have very intention conversations.”
These out of state matchups have produced some of the greatest games in the program’s history. Many of the alumni and coaching staff can look back on overtime wins against St. Xavier in 2021 and defeating Brother Rice in 2022.
The Royals are preparing to head down to Missouri next weekend to play against Christian Brothers on Friday, March 27, and Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School (MICDS) on Saturday, March 28. MICDS is a powerhouse in Missouri, boasting ten state championships in the last eleven years. The Royals also have a game on Wednesday, March 25, against the Fishers Tigers. Make sure to support your boys lacrosse team and show out at Fishers high school.
