Sticking to 'core' pivotal in success of Walton's season
The Walton Raiders boys lacrosse team knows the feeling of being on the mountain top, having won two Georgia High School Association state championships, with their most recent coming at the end of the 2018-2019 season in which they posted a 21-2 overall record and finished second in the region at 6-1. Fast forward to this season and the Raiders are once again having a remarkable run currently sitting at 14-1 overall and 4-0 in the area standings and following their 17-2 win over Marietta on Tuesday night, are in the midst of a 10 game win streak.
"We focus on us, that's what we've been doing at practice everyday," Walton head coach Griffin Spotz, who took over the Walton program in 2013, said following the Raiders win on Tuesday as he credited his players for the intensity they bring to the field on practice days. "We stick to our core. We have a core of offensive themes, we have a core of defensive themes, we have an identity we're trying to build," Spotz added as he discussed the overall identity along with "culture" and "pillars" in which they build on and Spotz believes the momentum the Raiders currently have can continue if they are able to "do well on those things".
And while Spotz would note that it did take some time for the Raiders to reach "that core", overall he believes that they have had the opportunity to play well in several games throughout their current stretch of consecutive wins allowing for Walton to play some "pretty lacrosse to watch" and at a level with some of Georgia's top high school lacrosse programs, but it will be important for them to stay the course. "We just can't plateau, we have to continue to build and peak," Spotz said noting their final three games, which could result in an area title and another trip to the state championship tournament should they be able to win out.
"If we're lucky, we get a chance to keep playing the creator's game in the playoffs and that's a pretty big blessing to me," Spotz said adding that having the opportunity to continue coaching at Walton is something he remains grateful for as it allows him and his players to "honor the game with intensity," when they step on the field.
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