Lacrosse still lacking in teams in the Southern Section

Lacrosse fans and supporters are growing in Southern California, but the sport remains short of the number of teams needed to gain an official championship in the Southern Section.

To have an official championship in the Southern Section, 20% of the member schools must be playing the sport.

That means the magic number to be reached is 113, according to the Southern Section office. About 63 schools are playing boys’ lacrosse and about 54 schools are playing girls’ lacrosse.

Lacrosse has been a sport in the Southern Section since 2005. Championships are held in the nearby San Diego Section.

Schools have been reluctant to add the sport because of costs involved with paying a coach, equipment and other costs associated with adding a sport.

But schools have embraced the sport. This year, Crespi, Redondo, Loyola, Harvard-Westlake, Corona del Mar, Oak Park and Palos Verdes have top programs. West Ranch and Santa Monica are among the newest schools.

The City Section will host its first championship this year in boys’ lacrosse with seven teams. There are five girls’ teams.

[email protected]