8th Annual King of the Spring Face-Off Classic set for March 9-13, 2017

By Damian Hall 02/15/2017
Contact: Jon Lantzy, jon.lantzy@da.org

Eighth Annual King of the Spring Face-Off Classic set for March 9-13, 2017, in Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill, N.C.

Top high school lacrosse teams to support efforts of the Vs. Cancer Foundation

DURHAM, N.C. – The national high school lacrosse spotlight will turn to the Triangle area of North Carolina once again this spring as 34 of the nation's top men's and women's high school lacrosse teams will compete in the eighth annual Brine King of the Spring Face-Off Classic, scheduled for March 9-13, 2017, in the Triangle area of North Carolina. Hosting this year's tournament are Durham Academy and Cardinal Gibbons High School. The complete tournament schedule is available at www.kingofspringlax.com.

"Year eight has shaped up to be the toughest field of teams in the event's history. We have reigning state champions from North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee, along with the 2016 MIAA [Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association] champion all participating this spring," explained Jon Lantzy, tournament director and Durham Academy boys lacrosse coach. "The King of the Spring has emerged as a one-of-a-kind event in the high school lacrosse community and has quickly become an annual destination for some of the best programs in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

"As coaches and educators, we are always looking for meaningful opportunities to expose our student-athletes to the true meaning of service. We will once again use this weekend as on opportunity for not only great competition on the field, but a chance to inspire our student-athletes to use their many talents to make their communities a better place."

The 2017 tournament will once again support the efforts of the Vs. Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to cure childhood cancer by directing proceeds to both national-level research efforts and local pediatric cancer hospitals for patient care. Learn more about this Raleigh-based organization at http://www.vs-cancer.org.

"On behalf of the Vs. Cancer Foundation, we are humbled and thrilled to be partnering with Durham Academy and the King of the Spring Face-Off Classic again in 2017, as we have a real and tangible opportunity to help change outcomes for children battling cancer right here in North Carolina," said Chase Jones, founder and CEO of the Vs. Cancer Foundation. "As a cancer survivor, personally, I have been on the receiving end of these funds that are raised, and we are ecstatic to now help the next child beat cancer, right here in the Triangle."

Lantzy is grateful to have the Vs. Cancer Foundation as a King of the Spring partner.

"Chase and the Vs. Cancer Foundation are doing wonderful things, not only in the Triangle but across the country, helping so many kids and families," he said. "The first time I met Chase, it took about a second to see the amount to passion he has for this cause. Chase is an athlete and a cancer survivor — he understands the impact that team sports have on young adults and their communities. The Vs. Cancer Foundation allows young student-athletes to use their love of sports to support such an important cause, and we are thrilled to have them as a partner for this year's event."

In addition to the 34 high school boys and girls teams that will compete, the players will be able to take in some terrific collegiate action. Duke University will take on Loyola University on Saturday, March 11, at noon; the defending NCAA DI champion University of North Carolina men will face Hofstra University on March 11 at 2:30 p.m.; and the defending NCAA DI champion, University of North Carolina women will take on the University of Virginia on March 11 at noon.

In all, the 34 teams participating in the King of the Spring tournament will compete in 38 games on fields around the Triangle over the course of four days. Joining hosts Durham Academy and Cardinal Gibbons in sponsoring the event are Brine Lacrosse, Triangle Orthopedic Associates, Fusion Lacrosse, Lacrosse.com and the newly formed Durham Sports Commission.

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