WORTON — The argument that 2026 is comparable to 2025 for Kent County High School’s boys lacrosse program is a flimsy one.
2026 is so much different, though it’s true that in both years KCHS went 5-9 and lost in the region final to Cambridge-South Dorchester.
Last year, in the Class 1A East Region II championship game, Cambridge won going away, 12-4.
This year, Cambridge rallied for an 8-7 victory after trailing by two goals at halftime.
While Kent County was the No 1 seed based on its win-loss record, Cambridge had history on its side — 3-0 against KCHS in their last three meetings, which included a 14-7 win as recently as April 15.
On top of that, the Trojans were challenged by inexperience and injuries.
All of that seemed to matter little, however, when the two sides faced off May 11 in a closely contested, low-scoring championship game.
Led by junior Colin Fry’s three goals and two assists, Kent County took a 7-5 halftime lead.
The teams had played to a 3-3 draw after one quarter.
Cambridge [5-8] pitched a shutout in the second half, and its 8-7 lead after three quarters held up.
While the outcome was not what KCHS head coach Ben Joiner had hoped for, he had nothing but attaboys for his players.
Joiner said this might have been the Trojans’ best game of the season, and he was especially complimentary of their first half.
“Starting fast and playing with confidence isn’t always easy after getting doubled up by a team like Cambridge did to us earlier in the season, so I’m really proud of the boys for the mental and emotional side of their preparation,” Joiner told The Evening Enterprise in a text message.
The first half was certainly one of the best of the season, according to Joiner ‘95, who wrapped up his second year as head coach at alma matter Kent County.
“The team came out ready to play and kept the intensity up the whole way through. Up, down or tied, they kept their composure and played with a lot of confidence,” he said.
“I think they really found the joy in the sport during this game,” he added.
In addition to Fry’s hat trick, Quinten Joiner was two-and-two, Gabe Parr was one-and-one and Gavin Miller contributed a goal for the Trojans’ 7-5 advantage at intermission.
Evaluating the full 48-minute game, coach Joiner said: “The team leaders did what they do and we had a couple of the less-experienced guys turn into lacrosse players right in front of our eyes.”
The defense led by Parr, Lynden Saunders and Dwan Harris made terrific adjustments during the game.
First-year starting goalie Alex Harris, a sophomore, was credited with 12 saves.
The decision-making on offense was arguably the best of the season for the Trojans.
“They were making the extra pass and trusting their teammates,” coach Joiner said. “They did an amazing job of manufacturing [scoring] opportunities; we just couldn’t seem to capitalize on them.”
But, the Trojans came up short in the battle to win ground balls — “like we have all year,” Joiner said.
This was KCHS’ third appearance in a row in the region final.
Kent County began the season with a roster of 18 players, including six freshmen. Eight of the 18 had never played lacrosse before, including two of the four seniors.
“The experienced players welcomed the new players, and stoked the flames of culture and camaraderie and commitment,” Joiner told everyone who attended the May 19 awards ceremony for all KCHS spring sports.
As the season unfolded, “roles developed, identities formed, leaders rose and evolved and pushed the team. Through the pre-season workouts and the Saturday morning practices, through the cold and the wind and the heat and the dust, the team grew and developed and won and lost as they should have — all together.”
For the region championship game, KCHS dressed 15 players; two others were out with injuries.
By season’s end, eight of the new players had started at least one game and seven of them had scored.
Meanwhile, the veterans played and led with passion and determination.
“And after our final game, a difficult one-goal loss in the regional finals, the way that these guys felt about themselves and their teammates and their season was evident on each face looking back at the coaching staff in that final huddle,” Joiner said.
“The players are building a culture of support and acceptance and dedication,” he said. “It’s this kind of culture that builds programs and stewards legacies. I am so proud and grateful to be a part of all of this.”
Ben Joiner’s coaching staff includes KCHS lacrosse alumni Ty Anderson and Kreigh Kirby and Washington College graduate Keen Griffin.
NOTE: Eventual state runner-up Fallston eliminated Cambridge, 17-3, in a state quarterfinal May 13.
