Winning doesn’t come easy; at least for most athletes. For Wallaceburg’s Jordan Durston and Joel Shepley, however, they’ve been on the winning side of most lacrosse games they’ve played this season, with two different teams.
Durston the reigning Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League offensive MVP, and Shepley the reigning defensive MVP, are leading both the Junior B Wallaceburg Red Devils, and the Junior A Six Nations Arrows, simultaneously to excellent seasons.
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Although winning at two levels might seem simple, it has presented several challenges to these athletes.
“Pulling double duty has been tough so far but it’s all well worth it,” said Durston, who is among the league scoring leaders at both the Junior A and Junior B level, racking up on average six points per game. “I find being on the road a lot challenging.”
With the challenges come rewards, as both teams will be contenders for a title this year, and both Shepley and Durston are developing their game at each level.
“Playing for both teams has been really fun,” said Shepley, who captains the Wallaceburg Red Devils. “Learning new things every day in Six Nations has allowed me to bring it back to Wallaceburg and share it with the team here.”
Although the game is much different at the Junior A level, both Durston and Shepley have adapted to their roles well.
“The game is much faster and we’re playing against bigger and stronger men,” said Durston about the Junior A loop, also adding the margin for error is much smaller with the Six Nations Arrows.
“I think the biggest difference between the two leagues is the speed of the game,” echoed Shepley. “Junior A is a lot faster and players are a lot stronger and smarter as well.”
According to Jamie Knight, who is the head coach of the Red Devils this season, and has been coaching the duo in some capacity since 2003 in Wallaceburg’s Minor Lacrosse system, both Durston and Shepley are well equipped for the next level, and have been improving every game.
“They both love lacrosse and always have. They play with passion every game, but more importantly every practice,” said Knight about the work both players have put in to reach this level of success.
“They are both ready to play A and be key factors for the Arrows in their drive to win the Minto Cup,” added Knight. “It would be a dream come true for both of them but for me as well. I have watched them evolve into phenomenal players and young men. As a coach I couldn’t be prouder.”
Durston and Shepley aren’t the only local products playing in the Junior A loop, as Wallaceburg product Zach Herreweyers, who plays NCAA lacrosse for Loyola University, is one of the league’s top offensive threats, starring for the Brampton Excelsiors, and Brandon Burr, a new acquisition to the Red Devils in June, has also been called up on occasion to play for the Toronto Beaches.
With aspirations of NCAA, CLax, and NLL lacrosse, both Shepley and Durston are doing their part to get noticed this season. The exposure they’re receiving as key contributors on two successful teams is starting to turn heads in the lacrosse world.
Without the support of one another however, the duo feels they wouldn’t be where they are today.
“Being with Joel at this time in my life and being able to play every lacrosse game possible with him this season has been awesome,” said Durston. “Both on and off the floor, he’s a smart leader; everyone gives him the respect he deserves because of his hard work, and I hope it pays off for him in his final year of junior lacrosse.”
“I don’t think I would rather be doing this with anyone else,” said Shepley of playing for two teams with Durston. “Jordan is my best friend, so to be able to do this with him is pretty special.“
“On the floor, Jordan leads by example. He is the best player out there and for that he earns the respect from everyone on our team and who we play against.”
With the playoffs only weeks away for each league, and the talent Durston and Shepley bring to the floor, it wouldn’t be a stretch to see the duo wearing not one, but two championship rings by summers end.
