As the South Carolina high school lacrosse postseason reaches its peak, the York County First Team Boys Lacrosse roster has been released.
The 2026 selections are highlighted by a significant number of Fort Mill and Clover athletes, whose players accounted for the majority of the first-team nods. The announcement comes at a critical juncture for Fort Mill, as the Yellow Jackets prepare for a high-stakes showdown in the SCHSL state semifinals this week.
Elite Performers Headline Roster
Clover senior midfielder Jake Nicely earned Offensive MVP honors following a season of clinical finishing. Nicely led the county with a .522 shot percentage, highlighted by multiple five-goal games against top regional opponents.
On the defensive end, Fort Mill sophomore Xander Jantzen was named Defensive MVP. Jantzen established himself as the state’s premier long-stick midfielder, ranking fourth in South Carolina with 46 takeaways. His ability to transition from defense to offense served as the engine for Fort Mill’s transition game all spring.
Position-by-Position Breakdown
The first-team attack unit features a blend of pure scorers and facilitators. Clover’s Aiden Hawkins (5.0 goals per game) and Fort Mill’s Carson Maloney (2.0 assists per game) lead a group that also includes Catawba Ridge’s Caleb Williams and Legion Collegiate’s Hayden Christanberry.
In the midfield, the talent runs deep. Nation Ford’s Caleb Nickola and Rhys Nelson represent the Falcons with first-team honors, joined by Catawba Ridge’s Will Gambrill, Fort Mill’s Charlie McGuire, and Clover’s Ben Armstrong.
The defensive unit is anchored by Fort Mill’s Luke McKinny and Chase Barrington-Hughes. The duo combined for over 40 takeaways, providing a physical presence that allowed goalie Sean Sholtis (.604 save percentage) to anchor one of the state’s stingiest scoring defenses.
The Road to Irmo
While the individual accolades are set, the team goals remain in focus for Fort Mill. The Yellow Jackets (11-2) are scheduled to face Riverside this week in the SCHSL Class 5A-D2 State Semifinals.
Riverside, the top seed out of the Upper State, enters the matchup on a seven-game winning streak. The winner of this semifinal bout will advance to the state championship game, scheduled for this coming Saturday at Irmo High School.
