By Ryan Moxon — Hough looks to bookend state championships this year as the boys lacrosse team faces lofty expectations and a goal to match the football team’s run through the state playoffs last fall.

The upperclassmen-heavy roster features a lineup full of returning starters and major contributors, but depth will challenge the team’s state championship ambitions.

The defense is led for the third straight year by standout junior goalie Chubs Slater, who had a 65% save percentage last season.

Senior long-stick midfielder Bryson Armstrong projects to be the defensive leader outside the net, and he’s joined by a pair of returning starters at long pole — junior Rocco Mozzone and sophomore Nick Misali.

Drew Weber and Noah Farris will look to keep scoring at bay in the defensive midfield.

Offensively, the Huskies have one of the most talented front six units in the state.

Junior attackman Grady Cinotti and sophomore Noah Sheridan were two of the team’s top five scorers last season with 90 combined goals.

The return of senior Tripp Johnstone and junior Cooper Show provides scoring opportunities from the midfield, and senior Preston Graham figures to play an important role in the offensive production. The trio totaled 94 goals a season ago.

Faceoffs are a major strength for a team that will hope to play an unbalanced game in terms of possessions. Senior Alex Gregoloff is one of the best in the nation at the faceoff position, with a 79% win percentage last season.

Conference play will be more challenging than in previous years. The Huskies swap perennial bottom-feeders such as South Iredell and Mooresville for Myers Park and Ardrey Kell.

A tough nonconference schedule includes matchups against Lake Norman, Charlotte Catholic, Christ School and Green Level.

Baseball

Hough baseball enters the 8A era in a newly realigned conference that now includes traditional powers South Mecklenburg and Myers Park, along with crosstown rival Hopewell.

The conference schedule figures to be one of the most competitive in the state, and the Huskies expect to contend for the title while building momentum toward playoff time.

The season begins with the toughest nonconference schedule in program history, including “The County Clash,” featuring matchups of Myers Park, South Mecklenburg and Hough against Reagan, West Forsyth and East Forsyth, followed by a demanding road trip to Wilmington to face New Hanover, Ashley and Laney.

Offensively, the Huskies are led by senior outfielder Jaxon Matthews, a four-year starter and five-tool player who enters the season as the school’s career leader in home runs (10), walks (71), stolen bases (53), runs scored (100) and RBIs (73).

The roster features a veteran infield that includes senior shortstop Derek Guzman, who tied the single-season doubles record (10) and finished second in home runs (5) last year, and senior third baseman Matthew Nesta, who set single-season records in stolen bases (29) and runs scored (42).

On the mound, senior right-hander Hank Tipton returns as the staff leader after going 5-1 last season with 41 strikeouts against just 10 walks, anchoring a young but high-ceiling pitching group.

With experienced position players and emerging arms, Hough has the makeup of a team built for a strong conference race and postseason run.

“We’re excited to see how our experienced field players and young pitching staff come together this year,” assistant coach Spencer Venator said. “Early success could catapult us to a great season and playoff run.”

Softball

Head softball coach Allison Mashburn has state championship aspirations for a team that returns most of its starting lineup this spring.

The pitching staff will be anchored by senior Payton Elwell, last season’s conference Pitcher of the Year, who went 12-3 with a 1.81 ERA, along with junior Aubrey Martin (7-0, 0.84 ERA).

Offensively, production will be led by senior Reese Lavey, the conference Player of the Year a season ago, who batted .456. Mashburn expects balanced contributions throughout the lineup, including from senior Ashlyn Rogers (.412) and juniors Seanna Shivers (.333) and Caitlin Schriber (.321).

All three earned all-district honors last season, with Rogers also receiving all-state recognition.

The 24-game schedule includes a challenging conference slate with the addition of Myers Park, South Mecklenburg and Hopewell, along with nonconference opponents Ardrey Kell and Providence.

The team motto is #Be1Above this season, designed to hold everyone to a higher standard.

“We were a really close team last season, and we need to stay that way this season,” Mashburn said. “We need to support each other and put the team first to give our program the best chance to be successful.”