Jr. Bandits Elite Set Sights on Long Tail Cup After Strong Border Wars Showing

by Jr Bandits Staff and ChatGPT

Fresh off a silver and bronze medal performance at Border Wars in Utica, the Jr. Bandits Boys Elite teams are headed to Novi, Michigan to compete in the Long Tail Cup, presented by Bearpaw Lacrosse. The tournament features many of the top club programs from across the Midwest and provides another high-level test for both age groups.

Border Wars Recap – Utica, NY

The Grade 9/10 Jr. Bandits Elite team battled its way to a bronze medal after a resilient tournament run. Following a tough opening-game loss, the group responded with three straight wins to earn a spot in the bronze medal game. There, the Jr. Bandits delivered a strong performance, defeating the Albany Power Lacrosse Club 8–6 to close out the weekend on the podium.

Several players were recognized for their standout play, earning All-Tournament Team honors:

  • Emmett Williams – First Team

  • Keyan Leading Fox – Second Team

  • Kaleb Grenier – Third Team

  • Hunter Oakes – Third Team

The Grade 11/12 Jr. Bandits Elite team followed a similar path, finishing the weekend as silver medalists. After opening the tournament with a loss, the group rebounded with a series of strong performances through round-robin and playoff play to punch their ticket to the gold medal game. In a hard-fought championship matchup, the Jr. Bandits came up just short, dropping a narrow 5–4 decision to ECE Lacrosse.

Multiple players earned All-Tournament Team recognition for their efforts in Utica:

  • Evan Greenough – First Team

  • Caias John – First Team

  • Waylon Dowdy – Second Team

  • Keion Beaver – Third Team

  • Elyas John – Third Team

Long Tail Cup Preview – Novi, MI

This weekend marks the third consecutive year the Jr. Bandits Elite program has competed in the Long Tail Cup. The teams enter the tournament with a strong history of success, including a championship by the Grade 9/10 team in 2024, followed by a silver medal finish in 2025. At last year’s event, the Grade 11/12 Orange team earned silver, while the Grade 11/12 Black team brought home bronze.

Building off their solid performances in Utica this past December, both teams will look to carry that momentum into a competitive field in Novi.

Tournament Schedule

Grade 11/12 Jr. Bandits Elite

  • 6:00 PM – January 17 vs. Dominate Lacrosse

  • 7:40 PM – January 17 vs. Junior Hooligans

  • 9:20 PM – January 17 vs. 313 Select Can-Am

  • Playoffs – January 18 (TBD)

Grade 9/10 Jr. Bandits Elite

  • 8:50 AM – January 17 vs. Dominate Lacrosse

  • 10:30 AM – January 17 vs. Westside Lacrosse

  • 1:50 PM – January 17 vs. Tri State Terrapins

  • Playoffs – January 18 (TBD)

Fans can follow along with live scores, schedules, and standings throughout the weekend via the Long Tail Cup tournament page: Tournament Standings and Schedule