Round 3 of Christ School-Rabun Gap lacrosse should not disappoint, given the stakes.
The Greenies (10-6) and Eagles (12-4) are set to do it again Friday at 5 p.m. in Arden, this time in the quarterfinals of the NCISAA Division I state playoffs.
Nate Wilberding ’25 scored his team-best 30th, 31st, and 32nd goals of the season in last Thursday’s gritty 5-4 win, which Rabun Gap led 3-0 at the half.
Caden Paradine ’25 had two goals, including the top play of the regular-season finale for both teams. The University of Denver recruit intercepted a clear from the Eagles goalkeeper at midfield late in the fourth quarter. With the goalie out of position, Caden shot on an open net for what turned out to be the winning goal with 2:16 to go.
Christ School has been able to come back from a 3-0 deficit in both games this year against Rabun Gap, including last month’s 13-11 win in Georgia. Neither team has played since last week. Cary Christian (2-10) opted to forfeit rather than make the grueling bus trip to Rabun Gap for Tuesday’s first round.
For the season, Caden leads the team in points (44) and assists (16). Brown recruit Xander Ring ’25 has caused 45 turnovers.
The coaching staff has preached all season long that the Greenies have a chance against anyone with the dual presence of faceoff specialist and Loyola University Maryland recruit Carter Sherwood ’25 (121 ground balls and a 76.8 win percentage) and York College of Pennsylvania recruit Lucas Little ’24 at goalkeeper (149 saves). The most recent example was a 7-5 home loss to Cannon School on April 23 in which Christ School was ahead at halftime.
“If we have our guys playing our best, there isn’t a team we can’t beat. We’ve proven that,” Greenies coach Patrick Haley said.
“It’s a matter of doing that and doing that for a second half, too. If we can do that, there’s nobody who can stop us.”