Under the bright lights of Wellesley Sports Institute, lacrosse sticks clash and shouts echo throughout the facility as a game in the Massachusetts Box Lacrosse League intensifies. This league offers more than just quick, 5-on-5 games; it’s a place where the high school’s lacrosse players sharpen their skills, build team chemistry and prepare for the upcoming season.
The Box Lacrosse League, organized by Massachusetts Box Lacrosse, is a fast-paced, indoor pick-up league where Bay State teams compete every Sunday night at the Wellesley Sports Institute. For seven weeks, players face off in 5-on-5 games inside a turf-covered hockey rink, with constant substitutions to keep the action moving. The league, which has no coaches present on the sidelines, offers athletes a unique, player-driven experience.
Junior Jack Herman, who only recently started playing lacrosse, said the league has been an ideal way to ease into the sport.
“Our first game was on Sunday. That was my first lacrosse game, and it was fun because I know the guys on the team; I’m friends with them. It was a good environment,” Herman said.
Herman also said the casual and supportive environment has helped him learn the game.
“It’s easier to play and learn when you’re playing with your friends because there’s less pressure, and they teach you along the way, so it was a good experience,” Herman said.
Herman said the smaller league size has given him and others more opportunities to be actively involved in the game.
“I’ve only done captains’ practices, so I don’t really know because I’ve never played in a lacrosse game before for Brookline,” Herman said. “It’s a smaller team. There are only 12 guys on the team when usually there are around 20-25 people on the lacrosse team. So you play more and you handle the ball more.”
Senior and captain of the boys varsity lacrosse team Ryan Wilson said the league has been a great way for the team to develop.
“We’re still searching for a first win, but we’re improving a lot and getting out there. We have a ton of kids coming out which is great numbers,” Wilson said. “Everybody’s working hard and we’re having fun, and we’ll get our first win soon.”
Junior and boys varsity lacrosse player Locke Adkins, who joined lacrosse his freshman year, but missed his sophomore season due to a season-ending injury, said the league has been a crucial part of his comeback.
“The Box league has helped me remind me of what I’m training for, what I’m in the gym for, what I’m trying to get faster for – just the group of guys that I want to win with,” Adkins said.
For Adkins, the league serves as an important stepping stone as he transitions back into competitive play.
“It’s been a great transition, going from nothing, no lacrosse, to a little bit with friends and people I’m close with on the whole team,” Adkins said.
According to Herman, the league has provided a unique opportunity for players who are new to the lacrosse program.
“It’s building our chemistry, and for the people who are new, it’s teaching them how to play and also how to play lacrosse the way that [Brookline] runs it,” Herman said.
Wilson said his goals for the box lacrosse team are focused on preparation and participation heading into the spring season.
“I want to continue to get as many guys as we can to play and show up just so we can be ready when it comes springtime so that we don’t feel like we’ve done nothing all off-season,” Wilson said.
According to Adkins, the league has provided more opportunities for competition, in addition to being valuable for the development and growth of the athletes.
“It’s less about winning and more about self-improvement and team improvement,” Adkins said. “I really hope to bond with my teammates. We may not be coming out of this winning a lot of games, but we’re going to be a lot more connected and that means we’re going to be a lot better on the field in the regular season.”
