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Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:

1. The Qatar Lacrosse Association is trying to grow the sport in the Persian Gulf country, all the while helping unite a nation amid diplomatic tensions. Founded by ex-Wales national team member David Heywood, the QLA first introduced the sport to natives of Qatar in 2015 and got an equipment grant from the Federation of International Lacrosse the next year. Now, Qatar is the first Persian Gulf nation recognized by the FIL.

Heywood and co-CEO Gibran Jamal Nasser S. Al-Bader have a few main goals: Enhance the quality of participants’ experience, ease of access and opportunity for all, strengthen the organization to enhance the capacity to lead and serve, ensure long-term sustainability and elevate the visibility of the sport in Qatar and around the world.

“The nice thing is it’s lacrosse,” said Bob DeMarco, FIL director of development. “The people that are involved, they really are not concerned who’s playing, but that they’re playing. It’s great that you have countries in that area now playing, whether it’s Israel (which will host the 2018 FIL men’s world championship), Qatar or United Arab Emirates (which recently expressed interest to the FIL). Our main concern is the growth of the game, so it supersedes everything else.”

2. The New York Lizards made a trade for Will Manny and Joe LoCascio last week, and they reaped the benefits immediately. Manny and LoCascio combined for 10 points in the Lizards’ 15-14 win over the Ohio Machine on Thursday.

Manny was even voted the Coca-Cola Player of the Game for his efforts.

“You couldn’t draw it up better than this,” Manny said on Lax Sports Network after the game. “It’s been an emotional 48 hours. It is lacrosse. Its professional lacrosse, so trades happen. You let that settle in, finally. It’s been tough. … Coming to practice last night, having a lot of fun with these guys, having a relationship with Paul (Rabil) and Rob (Pannell), and then getting support from other guys, and then, obviously, coming here with Joe has been awesome. And here you go, right?”

Also in Phil Shore’s notebook, the Atlanta Blaze set a franchise record and the Chesapeake Bayhawks end their losing streak.

3. Johns Hopkins commit Joey Epstein is your Epoch/US Lacrosse Mid-Atlantic Player of the Year. He scored 75 goals and added 48 assists for Landon (Md.) — the top team in the nation —helping him pass legends like Matt Ward, Jake Byrne and Patrick Keena on the way to becoming Landon's all-time leading scorer.

Epstein led Landon to a 21-0 record and the IAC championship, after beating Bullis (Md.) 18-7 on May 12. He was the focal point of a stacked offense for Landon.

“It tells me that I’m playing with great guys,” Epstein said of his individual performance. “If the defense was just worried about me, I’m sure those numbers would go down, but with so many weapons offensively, guys can flourish.”

And he's got another year to add to his totals.

WHAT WE’RE READING

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

Florida Launch attackman Dylan Molloy knows a thing or two about growing a mullet. He rates some of the most infamous mullets in television history. Hint: He's digging Joe Dirt.

Newly appointed Michigan coach Hannah Nielsen talks about her plans for the program when she returns from the FIL World Cup later this month.

WHAT’S ON TAP

  • The high school reviews continue with the crowning of the Midwest Girls Player of the Year and final rankings.

  • The Denver Outlaws and Atlanta Blaze battle tonight in their annual Independence Day game at Sports Authority Field.

  • Have a great July 4th everyone!

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