Off to nationals

TRURO - Brandon Shute, Tom Groves, Ryan Lindsay and Luke Moffatt have already tasted success this lacrosse season.
The four players helped the Truro CIBC Bearcats capture the provincial midget title recently. Now, they're hoping to help Nova Scotia nab a medal at the Midget Lacrosse Championship of Canada in Brampton, Ont., Aug. 23 to 30, after the province missed out on one last year.
"We really want to get a medal," said the six-foot, 165-pound Lindsay. "Or at least improve on how they did last year."
The four made the team in spite of missing the February tryouts, which Truro teams seldom send players to.
However, several players selected for the team were unable to attend the event, leaving the door open for Colchester talent.
They were gladly taken by provincial team coach Kent
Hayley.
The Colchester players are just as excited to be there.
"It's going to be a really good experience," said Shute, a 15-year-old Upper Brookside resident.
No kidding.
The tournament features the best midget players across the country and with all that talent in one spot, scouts from the National Lacrosse League and Canadian and American universities are sure to be on hand.
"It would be really nice to play university," Shute said.
The four players were key cogs in the Bearcats' championship run, despite having only played the sport for three seasons. Bearcats coach Mark Lindsay said the players are worthy of the chance to showcase their skills.
"I would say they deserve it," he said.
"This is an opportunity of a lifetime for them. You don't often get the chance to play at nationals in any sport and I know they're going to make the best of it.
"They're going to do their part and give it their all."
Since none of the four have ever competed at a national tournament before, they have no idea what they're about to face, only that the competition will be the toughest they've ever seen.
"We're going up against some of the best players in the world," said Groves, a 16-year-old Onslow resident.
But whatever happens, all four are hoping to use the opportunity to further their own lacrosse skills and bring them home.
"Coach (Hayley) has been coaching at this level for a long time so he's going to know some stuff."

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