By James Joseph
WSL Senior Features Writer

Millard West senior attackman Alex Myhre was his team’s best stick-handler and scorer – and he might have been the best in Nebraska in those categories.

But what set him apart in leading Millard West to its second Nebraska state title was his feel for and knowledge of the game. Myhre, according to Millard West Coach Kurt Carlson, was a student of lacrosse.

“You could tell just by talking to him," said Carlson, a Boston native who grew up with the game. "I know he watched MLL and college games. You’d see him, and he’d say, ‘Hey did you see the Syracuse game yesterday?’

“We filmed all of our games, and afterward we’d watch them and break down plays.”

Because of Myhre’s knowledge, Carlson charged him with running the offense and calling plays in man-up situations.

“He was the quarterback for our offense and our man-up,” Carlson said. “I’d let him go unless I wanted to set up a designed play.”

Carlson scored a league-high 65 goals and added 24 assists for 89 points in 2009. But he also provided critical leadership.

In the state final against Creighton Prep, Millard West trailed at halftime and was locked in a tie at the end of the third quarter. That’s when Myhre delivered a speech that rallied his teammates.

“He provided a lot of points throughout the year,” Carlson said of Myhre, who scored two goals, including the capper in the 7-5 state-title game victory. “But he really delivered with his leadership in that game.”