Boys’ Lacrosse: Tars’ Escher makes first-team All-Sunset League

Newport Harbor High senior attacker Kole Escher highlights one of four Sailors earning first-team All-Sunset League accolades in boys’ lacrosse.

Escher is on the first team with Newport Harbor junior defender Blake Lenk, junior defender Liam Whelan and senior faceoff specialist Nathan Chaness. The foursome led Newport Harbor (8-9, 6-2 in league) to a runner-up finish in league and the U.S. Lacrosse Southern Section South Division playoffs, losing at Corona del Mar, 12-3, in the opening round.

Escher finished with a Newport Harbor single-season school record 54 goals. He broke Zach Gagnon’s mark of 49 goals set five years ago.

Escher, who also recorded 44 groundballs and 16 assists, tied the Newport Harbor single-game record of seven goals.

Escher became the first Sailor to record a goal in every match of the season.

Lenk had 42 groundballs and 54 takeaways.

Whelan contributed 35 groundballs and 35 takeaways.

Chaness won 103 of 186 faceoffs. He produced 13 goals, six assists and 44 groundballs.

Newport Harbor junior attacker Alex Fuller, senior midfielder Chris Buchanan and senior midfielder Chas Beek made the second team. Fuller is also the Sunset League Academic Player of the Year.

Junior attacker John Mooers, senior defender Andrew Craft and freshman faceoff specialist PJ Steiner received honorable mention honors.

Los Alamitos’ Tyler Miller is the Sunset League Player of the Year.

— From staff reports

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Sage’s Ellison, Friedman are honored

Sage Hill School attacker Lucas Ellison and goalie David Friedman made the All-Academy League second team in boys’ lacrosse.

Ellison and Friedman helped the Lightning (6-7, 5-5 in league) to a fourth-place finish in league.

Beckman’s Wesley Filipek was named the Pacific Coast League Offensive MVP and Beckman’s Jack White the Defensive MVP.

— From staff reports