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More than half the teams ranked in USA Lacrosse High School Boys' West Preseason Top 10 are located in California, where the 2026 season is underway.
Here are the teams and players to watch in the West, which for our purposes covers the Mountain, Pacific and Northwest regions and at least part of the Southwest.
The first in-season update to the West rankings will be published March 3.
1. Cherry Creek (Colo.)
Cherry Creek set the standard in the West after going undefeated, routinely putting games away early. The Bruins (19-0) averaged double-digit scoring while holding opponents in check defensively, and until someone proves they can match that pace, Cherry Creek (Colo.) enters 2026 as the team everyone is chasing.
2. Loyola–Los Angeles (Calif.)
Loyola-LA turns the page after graduating a veteran senior class but remains well positioned to reload. The Cubs (21-3) don’t often get in their own way, and their matchup with Cherry Creek (Colo.) should offer an early sense of how high this group can go. It’s the kind of game that could help set the tone for the rest of the spring.
3. Torrey Pines (Calif.)
Torrey Pines (15-5) held its ground against one of the West’s toughest schedules, with most of its losses coming by slim margins. The Falcons’ offense consistently kept them competitive, and their ability to close late suggests a group capable of turning close games into wins in 2026.
4. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.)
Sacred Heart Prep (17-7) built its résumé on consistency, particularly in Northern California, where it handled tight games well. They showed resilience throughout the season, and with key contributors back, they enter 2026 positioned to take a step from competitive to dangerous.
5. Valor Christian (Colo.)
Valor Christian surged late, leaning on a defense that regularly limited opponents’ scoring chances. As the offense found rhythm down the stretch, results followed, and that growth gives Valor (16-3) a real upside heading into 2026 in Colorado’s competitive 5A league.
6. St. Ignatius (Calif.)
St. Ignatius (21-4) once again turned consistency into results, clearing the 20-win mark while staying composed in close games. The Wildcats’ discipline showed up when margins tightened, and that reliability should keep them firmly in the West mix as they head into another postseason run.
7. Marin Catholic (Calif.)
The Wildcats (21-5) separated themselves with a high-scoring attack, regularly forcing opponents to keep pace. They did enough defensively to protect leads late, and with that balance now established, Marin Catholic enters 2026 expecting to remain a factor beyond league play.
8. Eastlake (Wash.)
Eastlake (15-3) continued to set the pace in the Pacific Northwest, dropping just three games all season. The Wolves’ ability to control possession and capitalize in transition made them tough to catch, and that identity should serve them well as they defend their regional standing in 2026.
9. La Costa Canyon (Calif.)
La Costa Canyon’s record reflects the grind of a demanding schedule, but the Mavericks (12-7) consistently held their own against elite competition. That experience showed late in the year, and a battle-tested group returns in 2026 with the tools to flip close losses into wins.
10. Lakeridge (Ore.)
Lakeridge (21-1) rolled through Oregon with just one loss, rarely letting opponents stay within striking distance. The Pacers’ challenge in 2026 will be translating that dominance against deeper regional competition, but the résumé suggests a team ready to test itself on a bigger stage.
Sonorah Hunter is a former Division I defender and draw specialist at the University of Denver, where she helped lead the Pioneers to their first NCAA tournament appearance and anchored the defense as a team leader in ground balls, caused turnovers, and draw controls. She went on to become a successful high school coach in Colorado, engineering a rapid turnaround at Columbine High School and later leading Colorado Academy to back-to-back state championships while also developing athletes through Team 91 Colorado and other elite club programs. Outside of lacrosse, she serves as Director of Solutions Consulting at Adswerve and remains active in her community.
