Logan’s day in sun

CORONA DEL MAR — Friday’s game didn’t appear to be meaningful. The Corona del Mar High boys’ lacrosse team had already locked up the Pacific Coast League title and a high seed in the playoffs. Plus the Sea Kings had previously beaten University by 18 points.

So, no, the game itself did not mean much. However, one player and his moment in the spotlight gave it more meaning than any league title or playoff championship possibly could.

With 16 seconds left in the first half, Sandon Griffin scooped up a groundball and ran straight for the goal drawing two defenders right at him, leaving senior Jarrett Logan wide open in front of the net. Griffin snapped a pass to Logan, who quickly whipped the ball into the back of the net.

The Sea Kings won, 15-0, but this was the only goal that had every player, coach and fan rise to their feet and cheer like they had just witnessed a game-winner. Logan scored his first varsity goal of his life. This goal carried plenty of meaning.

Logan was diagnosed with cancer as a freshman at CdM and stopped playing lacrosse. Doctors removed a brain tumor, but Logan also dealt with a cancer-related foot disease. He spent a good part of his sophomore and junior years trying to get back into playing shape.

Once chemotherapy had completed, his body was so weak he could barely walk and at one point he weighed only 95 pounds.

Well, on Thursday, he wore No. 16 in a varsity uniform and was floating on cloud nine.

“The whole time today Ryan Mix and Michael Ortlieb were trying to set me up, but I just couldn’t get it in,” Logan said about his goal. “Then Sandon [Griffin] got the ball to me and it was nice one-timer. It felt pretty good.”

‘Good’ would be an understatement. Excitement gushed with every word.

“It was really awesome,” Logan said. “I was so bummed out after I had to stop playing freshman year, but this year Coach [G.W.] Mix really helped me out and it just feels awesome. I came back and it’s the best I can ask for.”

Logan spent this season on the junior varsity squad, but on CdM’s senior day, Coach Mix knew the importance of bringing him up to varsity and getting him a goal.

“We let the team know today that we have all been a part of something special,” Mix said. “It’s one of those things that down the road it will mean even more to them. Certainly, when [Logan] scored his first career goal, it was the most special moment of the day.”

When a coach that has led his team to an undefeated league season and its third straight PCL title talks about one goal being that important, an undercurrent starts to brew. As the Sea Kings (17-2, 10-0 in league) prepare for the U.S. Lacrosse Southern Section Orange County playoffs next week, it is not hard to imagine this group harnessing the strength of its friend and teammate and building from that in the postseason.

“It’s a special group of kids,” Mix said. “They are the first group of seniors that have played four years of CIF lacrosse and in those four years they have accomplished a lot. For [Logan] to have that moment made all of us really happy to be a part of it.”

The Sea Kings are ranked No. 1 in the CIF Southern Section area and No. 4 in the state by laxpower.com. CdM will most likely receive a bye in the playoffs, but by no means are they taking anything lightly.

The team has adopted a motto of, “Why not us?” CdM lost last year in the title game to powerhouse Foothill and lost the previous year to St. Margaret’s in the semifinals. However, with the energy buzzing through the players after senior day — better known as Jarrett’s Day — the team is now saying it is time for CdM to win.

After Thursday’s game, that expectation just may be a reality.

The Sea Kings were able to fire off 31 shots, win 11 face-offs and grab 40 groundballs. University (4-11, 4-6) only got six shots off and nabbed just 13 groundballs.

Kyle Canale put home three goals and one assist, while Reid Wallace, Ortleib and Doug Watt had two goals each. Jordan Crone also had a goal and an assist.

And even though the story on Thursday was Logan’s wildly inspirational goal, the story today is what will it take for the Sea Kings to capture a championship.

“Even though we will be a one or two seed, it is still going to be a tough road,” Mix said. “For the last two weeks we have simply been trying to get physically prepared. I believe it comes down to sticking with what you do best.”

Depending on their seed, CdM will play Tuesday or receive a bye and play Thursday.