Jonathan Phillips was determined to win a Canadian championship in lacrosse even if it meant seeing double duty this summer.
The Grade 11 student at Delta secondary got his wish as Team B.C. captured its first-ever gold medal at the U16 field lacrosse nationals, edging Ontario 11-10 to claim the Alumni National Trophy.
The tournament in Burnaby capped a hectic stretch for the Ladner native who just three weeks earlier suited up for the B.C. team that won bronze at the Midget National Box Lacrosse Championships in Whitby, ON. He was one of just four players who played for both provincial squads.
"I did it for the experience and I really wanted to win a gold medal," Phillips explained. "Finally it happened."
The script was looking all too familiar as the U16 nationals unfolded.
B.C. rolled to easy roundrobin wins over Manitoba (31-0), Alberta and Saskatchewan (15-6) but dropped a 10-8 decision to Ontario. Phillips had to settle for silver medals playing for B.C. at the Pee Wee and Bantam box nationals, after coming up short against its eastern rival.
The championship game however, provided a different ending this time as B.C. netted the game winner with two minutes remaining.
"It was good redemption, finally," smiled Phillips, who finished the tournament with six points, including three goals playing midfield. "We just couldn't seem to beat them but this time we found a way. "I think all our training (before) really helped. We were really tired of losing to Ontario."
Tryouts for the provincial field lacrosse team took place last November. Training sessions were held throughout the winter before going into hiatus once the box season got underway.
It then intensified again, leading up to the nationals, including a weekend camp in Victoria with the roster featuring seven players from Vancouver Island.
Phillips secured his spot on the B.C. Midget box lacrosse team in June and was also a key member of the Delta Islanders which culminated an impressive season at the Provincial A1 Midget Championships where he was named to the tournament all-star team.
"I got home from the (the Midget Nationals) and was in Victoria (the next weekend) with the field team," he said. "It was pretty hectic but definitely worth it."
He is now playing for the Delta Footmen at the U16 rep field level, although his Team B.C. duties are not quite finished yet.
The squad will be traveling to Baltimore in November for a high-profile tournament that is expected to attract university and college scouts from throughout North America. It will likely be Phillips' last time wearing B.C. colours for a while. His next realistic chance would be with the U19 provincial field team in 2013.
"I'm hoping to get a scholarship and if it comes my way then fine," added Phillips who did find some time over the summer to toss the ball around with Ohio State University star Logan Schuss.
