By Ken Hamwey

Staff Sports Writer

Sean Crowther has some unfinished business he’d like to take care of.

Last year, competing as an attackman on King Philip’s lacrosse team, the Warriors were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, losing, 16-2, to Duxbury. That setback was the third straight first-round elimination in Hal Bean’s tenure as KP’s head coach.

For the 18-year-old Crowther, the Duxbury game was his only tournament appearance in his first three years in the program. He was on the jayvees as a freshman and there were no spring sports his sophomore year because of COVID-19. 

 Sean Crowther had a dynamic season as a junior, scoring 40 goals and getting 10 assists.

Now, as a senior captain who was a Hockomock League honorable-mention all-star last year, he’s eager for a return trip to the playoffs that he hopes will produce a deep run.

“My team goals at the start of the season were to beat Franklin, win the Kelly-Rex Division title, qualify for the tourney and get to the Final Four,’’ he said. “That blowout loss to Duxbury left a bitter taste. They dominated us.’’

The 5-foot-11, 150-pound Crowther, who’s helped the Warriors compile a 9-2 record at Local Town Pages deadline, is confident the Warriors will have no trouble qualifying for the tourney. And, Crowther is convinced a Final Four appearance is realistic.

“Our roster is deep, we’ve got talent, we’re well-coached and we play solid defense,’’ he emphasized. “What should help us is the high-quality opponents we’ve faced. We should be prepared. What we’ll need is to maintain focus, take one game at a time, stay healthy and get some luck. Hopefully, we’ll be ready and peaking at the right time.’’

Crowther had a dynamic season as a junior, scoring 40 goals and getting 10 assists that helped KP to register a 10-3 record before its early playoff exit. At Local Town Pages deadline, he had 30 goals and 19 assists for 49 points. 

Crowther started playing lacrosse as a seven-year-old and he’s competed at the club level for the last seven years. His style and approach are what obviously earned him all-star honors.

“I like playing attack because you can manage the game and the tempo,’’ he noted. “I like to score but playing attack also involves passing and being creative. I like going behind my back to pass or shoot. Protecting the ball, limiting turnovers and passing effective are the keys to be successful on attack.”

An aggressive player, Crowther excels at getting into position for his shots.

“Sean has incredible instincts,’’ said Bean. “His shots are accurate, he passes well and he’s a good communicator who leads by example. His field vision makes him creative because it enables him to know where his teammates are. He’s very capable at creating space and that leads to him being effective on offense.’’

A native of Albany, N.Y., Crowther’s personal goals are to help his teammates improve and succeed, strive to be a league all-star again and to increase his goals and assist totals.

The best game of his career arrived early. KP faced North Attleboro last year in its home opener and Crowther was a prime factor in the 15-8 victory. “A large crowed was on hand and I scored six goals and had an assist,’’ he recalled. “It seemed like everything I did was effective and the win set the tone for the season.’’

Crowther knows that KP’s other captains have played a key role in setting an upbeat tone. He’s bullish on senior defenseman Will Weiblen and junior goalie James Boldy.

“Both are top-notch leaders,’’ Crowther said. “Will is strong and athletic, he communicates well and is great on defense. James is like a brick wall. Instinctive and smart, he’s the heart and soul of our defense.’’

Crowther also admires the way his coach runs the lacrosse program. “Coach Bean is very supportive and his knowledge of the game is extensive,’’ he said. “He’s a tremendous motivator who gets the most out of his players.’’

Getting Crowther’s best is easy because his leadership skills were evident in ice hockey where he played two varsity seasons at forward, was a captain and a two-time all-star. And, what makes him a special competitor are a variety of strengths that include a high lacrosse IQ, experience, mental toughness and perseverance.

Crowther, who lives in Wrentham, is also special in the academic arena. He’s a National Honor Society student whose GPA is 4.03. Also a member of the student council, he’s been accepted at Michigan State where he plans on majoring in finance. “Michigan State doesn’t have lacrosse, so I’ll just be a fan of all their sports teams,’’ he said.

Calling his father (John) his role model, Crowther learned a lot about lacrosse from him. His dad played the sport at Michigan State. And, Crowther’s sisters also know a few things about the sport.

“My twin sister (Colleen) is a captain for the Franklin girls team and my older sister (Katie) is a captain at Southern New Hampshire University,’’ Crowther noted.

Crowther’s style as a captain focuses on positive reinforcement, communication and leading by example. “I was honored to be selected by my teammates,’’ he said. “I’m glad I’ve earned their respect.’’

When it comes time for KP to start its tourney run, Crowther will show every opponent plenty of respect. He wants to finish strong in his last go-round wearing green and gold.

“As seniors, we want to finish up feeling good about ourselves,’’ he said. “This is the last time we’ll be representing KP. I’m looking forward to this time in the playoffs but I’m also looking forward to a new chapter of my life in college. For the present, however, it’s all about being prepared and focused.’’

Sean Crowther is a team-first player who could easily be the poster child for commitment, dedication and devotion to the task.