Nike G8 High School Preview

Nike G8 High School Preview

With the 2026 class wrapping up their club lacrosse careers, the spotlight now shifts to the 2027s—and even the 2028s—as we head into July and the final stretch of the summer club season. At the invite-only Nike G8 Tournament, even the 2029s are getting a taste of what a high school tournament is like. It’s officially go-time for teams looking to make their mark in front of college coaches and earn those final bragging rights before the summer wraps.

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2027

The 2027 class has been grinding all summer, and these final tournaments could be pivotal in their recruiting journeys. Top teams are ready to stack up against one another again, and the top three brackets are loaded with elite talent and high-stakes rematches that will definitely shake things up for college recruiters watching from the sidelines.

Pink Bracket

All six teams in this bracket are currently ranked in the Top 25, with several rematches on deck.

• #16 Laxachusetts Black
  
  

• #17 Steps California
  
  

• #22 Team 180 Barton
  
  

• #23 Monster Purple
  
  

• #24 Sky Walkers Blue
  
  

• #25 MD United
  
  

Monster Purple has already notched wins over Sky Walkers, Team 180, and Laxachusetts. Team 180 beat MD United and Sky Walkers earlier this summer, while MD United holds a win over Steps but lost to Laxachusetts. Every game in this bracket could have a major impact on the Top 25—and could push some teams closer to or out of the Top 20.

Purple Bracket

Only one unranked team—Coppermine Black—sits in this bracket, but they're on the cusp of breaking into the Top 25 if they can grab some key wins.

• #14 LI Top Guns Black
  
  

• #15 Florida Select
  
  

• #18 NXT Black
  
  

• #19 Steps Elite NJ Navy
  
  

• #21 Capital Blue
  
  

Top Guns has already defeated Florida Select, as has NXT. Steps will look to break their tie with Florida, while Capital will seek redemption after losses to both NXT and Steps. NXT will also be eager to avenge a tough 2–10 loss to Steps.

Red Bracket

Arguably the most stacked bracket, featuring massive rematch potential and a lot on the line for rankings.

• #2 Yellow Jackets Stadler
  
  

• #3 Aces Elite NY
  
  

• #5 Mass Elite Red
  
  

• #6 Hero’s Green
  
  

• #7 Prime Time
  
  

• #9 HHH Philly
  
  

Yellow Jackets Stadler holds a 2-1-1 record against bracket opponents, including two wins over Hero’s, a loss to Aces, and a tie with Prime Time. Aces has wins over both the Jackets and Prime Time, a loss to Hero’s, and a tie with HHH. Hero’s is looking to bounce back from a 2-4 bracket record, while the rest of the field aims to either maintain or improve their standings.

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2028

While the 2028 teams are more spread out across brackets, there's still no shortage of action or high-stakes matchups.

Orange Bracket

Only two Top 25 teams are in this bracket:

• #13 Salt City Pink
  
  

• #25 CT Grizzlies
  
  

They'll go up against Florida Select, Concept Lacrosse, Yellow Jackets North Howe, and All American Aim. The only confirmed rematch here is CT Grizzlies' narrow 5–4 win over Florida Select, which could be revisited.

Pink Bracket

This bracket is all about rematches and redemption:

• #18 Laxachusetts Black
  
  

• #19 Sky Walkers Blue
  
  

• #21 Capital Blue
  
  

• #23 LI Top Guns Black
  
  

• NXT Black
  
  

• Steps California
  
  

Top Guns is 1-1 in bracket play, having beaten Laxachusetts and lost to Capital. Laxachusetts is hoping to avenge a loss to Sky Walkers, while Sky Walkers will aim to stay unbeaten against NXT. NXT’s consistency makes them a threat, especially after a one-goal loss to Sky Walkers and a recent tie with Capital.

Purple Bracket

Six ranked teams, all bringing the heat:

• #8 Aces Elite NY
  
  

• #10 Monster Purple
  
  

• #12 HHH Philly
  
  

• #14 Steps Elite NJ Blue
  
  

• #17 Team 180
  
  

• #22 Mad Dog West Elite
  
  

HHH is still searching for a win against any of these teams, while Steps looks to flip the script after a five-goal loss to Monster. Team 180 will try to challenge Steps, while Monster looks to maintain its dominance.

Red Bracket

A bracket stacked with Top 10 matchups and potential shake-ups:

• #2 Hero’s Green
  
  

• #3 Prime Time
  
  

• #4 Yellow Jackets Maget
  
  

• #5 Mass Elite Red
  
  

• #6 MD United East
  
  

• #11 Coppermine Black
  
  

Coppermine is knocking loudly on the Top 10 door and has been unafraid of top competition, despite several losses. Mass Elite is looking to bounce back from defeats to MD United and Yellow Jackets. Hero’s will try to stay unbeaten with wins already logged against Coppermine, Yellow Jackets (twice), and Prime Time. Meanwhile, MD United seeks revenge after two losses to the Yellow Jackets this summer.

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2029

It’s official—the 2029s are moving up and entering the high school brackets. As incoming freshmen, this tournament could be their first taste of elite-level club play, and we're excited to see how they handle the pressure.

Green Bracket

• #19 Team 180
  
  

• #25 CT Grizzlies Orange
  
  

• Salt City Pink
  
  

• Yellow Jackets Manning
  
  

• All American Aim
  
  

• Hero’s White
  
  

Grizzlies already hold a win over Aim, while Team 180 has beaten Hero’s twice this summer.

Orange Bracket

• #13 Steps Elite NJ Navy
  
  

• #16 CT Grizzlies Pink
  
  

• Laxachusetts Black
  
  

• Gold Coast Black
  
  

• HHH Philly
  
  

• Mad Dog West Elite
  
  

The key rematch here is between Steps and Gold Coast, who played a tight one-goal game earlier in the season, won by Steps.

Purple Bracket

• #9 Aces Elite NY
  
  

• #11 Prime Time
  
  

• #15 Mass Elite Red
  
  

• #19 Team 180
  
  

• Yellow Jackets North Williams
  
  

• Steps California
  
  

Prime Time will be hunting for revenge after two summer losses to Aces, while looking to maintain the edge over Steps.

Red Bracket

The top bracket for the 2029 class is absolutely loaded:

• #1 Yellow Jackets Friedman
  
  

• #4 Coppermine Black
  
  

• #6 NXT Black
  
  

• #7 Monster Purple
  
  

• #8 LI Top Guns Black
  
  

• #6 Hero’s Green
  
  

Yellow Jackets Friedman enters with a 3-2-1 record against fellow bracket teams, including two wins (NXT, Monster), a split (Hero’s), and two losses to Coppermine. Top Guns will try to stay undefeated vs. Monster and avenge an earlier loss to Coppermine. Meanwhile, NXT aims to keep its edge over Monster and settle the score with Hero’s.

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As the temperatures rise, so does the intensity of the summer club season. With stacked brackets, fierce rematches, and recruiting implications on the line, we’re ready for more fireworks!