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When it comes to championships in sports, windows open and close. This is even more true in high school sports, where the talent pool is limited to students in the building and there are no trades or free agency.

That window includes the time when it is conceivable to win a title, to the time that all of those players who started the thought of bringing home the trophy have moved on. For the Lyle-Pacelli baseball team, the window for that elusive first state championship is open for the moment, but it could be closing soon.

LP has played in each of the last two Class A state tournaments, including a second place finish in 2023, and while the team has graduated plenty of key players from those teams, there is still a core left that knows what it takes to extend the season well into June.

The Athletics have a special blend of talent at their disposal this year as Creighton commit Hunter VaDeer is a flame throwing hurler, who can hit for the power with the best of them, Upper Iowa commit Landon Meyer, a first baseman, is an exceptional defensive player, capable pitcher, and a solid hitter in the lineup, and senior Logyn Brooks is a sturdy backstop at catcher and a clutch hitter when needed.

Those three seniors have all of the experience necessary to guide the team, but it will be up to the younger players to improve if LP wants to make a charge at school history this spring. Freshman Grady Meyer, who is the younger brother of Landon, and Dawson Jenkins have already emerged as players who look ready to make the jump and others are improving as well. 

If LP can continue to grow like the spring colors, the team could be in full bloom by the time playoffs begin in a few weeks. Hopefully the Athletics are able to appreciate their championship window and not become stressed out by it.

The key will be for the team to remain loose, but focused; patient, but driven. Mix that up with some hard work and the Athletics will be in the hunt for a title.