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Gavin Anders started playing youth lacrosse in fifth grade and wanted to have an impact on the developing varsity program at Abington Heights.
Since his arrival, Anders has left an indelible mark on the sport while also helping lift the Comets to a championship contender.
Now in his final season in the sport, the senior is closing out his decorated athletic career and leading Abington Heights into a PIAA Class 2A quarterfinal showdown with District 1 powerhouse Penncrest on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Emmaus High School Football Stadium.
“It’s so amazing,” Anders said. “I always pictured us having a great year when we were seniors. We came up short in some of our tough games, but we always fight. This team’s heart is in the game and has been all season.”
After being introduced to lacrosse in the Lakeland Tribe Youth program, Anders became committed to the sport. As a freshman, he made a significant impact by scoring 36 goals, earning a place on the Wyoming Valley Conference Coaches’ all-star second team, and being selected for The Times-Tribune All-Region team.
“At that time, my classmates and I wanted to build the program,” Anders said. “We wanted to change the program, the culture, and make history with Abington Heights lacrosse.”
In his second varsity season, Anders led the Comets to the District 2 Class 2A playoffs for a second straight season. He was again a WVC second-team all-star and scored 69 goals, including the 100th of his career.
As a junior, after a season where he had a team-high 53 goals and made the All-Region team for the third time, Anders verbally committed to continue his lacrosse career at NCAA Division I McDaniel College.
Then, in the fall, Anders had a record-setting season in football. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound wide receiver and defensive back hauled in 74 receptions for 1,158 yards and 10 touchdowns. He earned a spot on the Pennsylvania Sports Writers Class 5A all-state team and finished his career as the program’s all-time leader with 143 receptions for 2,053 yards.
That success led him to reconsider what sport he wanted to continue in at the collegiate level.
Before the start of the lacrosse season, Anders de-committed from McDaniel. He later chose to continue his academic and athletic careers as a member of the football team at Lackawanna College.
It didn’t cloud his focus in lacrosse. He has dominated again, contributing 45 goals and 25 assists. Anders enters the PIAA quarterfinal game with 203 career goals.
“It’s so emotional,” Anders, 18, said. “Especially after flipping my commitment. I have been telling my senior teammates all season that we have to keep playing hard and always play to the end.
Abington Heights reached the PIAA playoffs with a second-place finish, losing to Scranton Prep in overtime in the District 2 Class 2A final.
In the program’s first PIAA game, the Comets defeated District 4 champion Selinsgrove, 15-6. Anders scored a goal and assisted on two others.
Penncrest reached the quarterfinals with a 17-4 win over Devon Prep.
“We have to push if we are down and continue to push if we are up,” Anders said. “I think this is going to be a really good game.”
Continue reading...
Since his arrival, Anders has left an indelible mark on the sport while also helping lift the Comets to a championship contender.
Now in his final season in the sport, the senior is closing out his decorated athletic career and leading Abington Heights into a PIAA Class 2A quarterfinal showdown with District 1 powerhouse Penncrest on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Emmaus High School Football Stadium.
“It’s so amazing,” Anders said. “I always pictured us having a great year when we were seniors. We came up short in some of our tough games, but we always fight. This team’s heart is in the game and has been all season.”
After being introduced to lacrosse in the Lakeland Tribe Youth program, Anders became committed to the sport. As a freshman, he made a significant impact by scoring 36 goals, earning a place on the Wyoming Valley Conference Coaches’ all-star second team, and being selected for The Times-Tribune All-Region team.
“At that time, my classmates and I wanted to build the program,” Anders said. “We wanted to change the program, the culture, and make history with Abington Heights lacrosse.”
In his second varsity season, Anders led the Comets to the District 2 Class 2A playoffs for a second straight season. He was again a WVC second-team all-star and scored 69 goals, including the 100th of his career.
As a junior, after a season where he had a team-high 53 goals and made the All-Region team for the third time, Anders verbally committed to continue his lacrosse career at NCAA Division I McDaniel College.
Then, in the fall, Anders had a record-setting season in football. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound wide receiver and defensive back hauled in 74 receptions for 1,158 yards and 10 touchdowns. He earned a spot on the Pennsylvania Sports Writers Class 5A all-state team and finished his career as the program’s all-time leader with 143 receptions for 2,053 yards.
That success led him to reconsider what sport he wanted to continue in at the collegiate level.
Before the start of the lacrosse season, Anders de-committed from McDaniel. He later chose to continue his academic and athletic careers as a member of the football team at Lackawanna College.
It didn’t cloud his focus in lacrosse. He has dominated again, contributing 45 goals and 25 assists. Anders enters the PIAA quarterfinal game with 203 career goals.
“It’s so emotional,” Anders, 18, said. “Especially after flipping my commitment. I have been telling my senior teammates all season that we have to keep playing hard and always play to the end.
Abington Heights reached the PIAA playoffs with a second-place finish, losing to Scranton Prep in overtime in the District 2 Class 2A final.
In the program’s first PIAA game, the Comets defeated District 4 champion Selinsgrove, 15-6. Anders scored a goal and assisted on two others.
Penncrest reached the quarterfinals with a 17-4 win over Devon Prep.
“We have to push if we are down and continue to push if we are up,” Anders said. “I think this is going to be a really good game.”
Continue reading...
