Welcome to the THLN Games of the Week. Each week, our staff breaks down the matchups we're most excited about across NC high school lacrosse — from marquee conference showdowns to under-the-radar non-conference battles. Here's what we're watching this week.
Featured Games of the Week
If there's any match-up that represents the craziness that is North Carolina High School lacrosse, it's this one. The enrollment gap between Hough and the Community School of Davidson is 2035 students, per the NCHSAA's Average Daily Membership (attendance) figures. And yet, the Spartans of CSD are on a tear to start the season: a 7-0 record with an average margin of victory of over 13 goals. This includes a 19-5 statement home win over Marvin Ridge on March 4th. This team has shown that they can light the scoreboard consistently through 7 games.
But the Spartans have found their proverbial Battle of Thermopylae as they travel to Cornelius to take on our #1 ranked team in the state in the Hough Huskies. An impressive wire to wire win against a powerhouse school is one thing — but it's how they're doing that that is most impressive. Hough's defense has gone from allowing 9 goals a game in 2025 to just under 6 through 6 games. This team also gets consistent production from both their attack and their midfield. When combined with a face-off unit amongst the state's elites, Hough is a problem for anyone in the state this year.
Hough to win — CSD has the athletes to stay in front of Hough's attack, but Hough will prevail with a combination of Face-off/Time of Possession edge and top end athletes on Defense.
While conference realignment robbed the people of Southwest Wake County of a budding contemporary rivalry, we're glad these 2 teams kept each other on the schedule for this year. Historically, even when one team is better on paper, this game turns into a high-level chess match where every goal, successful clear, ground ball win or unforced error is amplified. Both teams are also coming off of losses from this past Saturday's Crosse Out Cancer event in Durham (editor's note: This is a fantastic event, we highly recommend you make the trip to Durham for the day in 2027 to support a great cause and watch some great ball). Although this game has limited bracket implications (Green Level in 8A, Middle Creek in 6A), these 2 proud programs are playing for bragging rights in what should be a fantastic game over at "The Creek".
Middle Creek to win — This game should stay close in all 4 quarters, but Middle Creek's stout defense and strong goaltending will have them back in the win column on Wednesday.
Other Notable Games This Week
Marvin Ridge has found ways to win close, low scoring games — having done so vs Charlotte Latin and Lake Norman Charter (in OT). Ardrey Kell has blown the door off of the hinge offensively since their early season 7-4 loss to Dorman (SC), averaging 16 goals the last 4 games.
Ardrey Kell to win — It's hard to pick against a surging, dynamic offense at Home in any situation — And we do expect them to be just that on Thursday. But if Marvin Ridge proves us wrong and keeps Ardrey Kell to single digits through 3 Quarters, they might just have the close game experience and confidence to pull off some March Madness on the road.
As a staff, we wanted to take the time to acknowledge 2 things. 1) It's great for the sport of lacrosse in our state when you see local powerhouses take on national ones. 2) Lake Norman is playing top teams from 5 Different States this Year: Lambert (GA), Lucy Beckham (SC), McDonogh (MD), Foothill-Santa Ana (CA), and Hayes (OH). Their JV team is even playing teams from multiple states. We won't be making a staff prediction for this game, but we hope the battle-tested Wildcats can take it to a good team that is just getting their season started this week.
A colossal matchup in the new 8A SWAC, as the Cougars take a trip down Salem Street to face Apex Friendship. Apex came out of the gates slow to start this year but appear to have gotten their offense going over the last 2 games averaging over 13 Goals. Apex Friendship has won 4 straight games after a loss at Middle Creek but have flustered their last 4 opponents with their size and athleticism in the middle of the field.
Apex Friendship to win — The analytics up to this point would tell you that Apex Friendship would win this game by around 5-6 goals, but with a conference game against familiar foes, we believe this game will be closer. Apex Friendship has the face-off and defensive edge here, and we believe they will use that to win close.
That's the slate for Week 4. Good luck to all the teams hitting the field this week — we'll be watching. Follow us on X @TarHeelLaxNet for updates and reactions. See you next week.