Phil Shore

The Takeaway Check, Issue #92 The story of the first game of lacrosse, Trenna Hill, Marvel, Leaf NLL cards

The Takeaway Check, Issue #92: The significance of the story of the first-ever game of lacrosse, it’s inspiration for Trenna Hill (the subject of my latest profile), and how it tied lacrosse to Marvel and Leaf Sports Cards.

open.substack.com/pub/takeaway...

I wore my @washingtonspirit.com Rodman shirt to school today in anticipation of the @nwslsoccer.com championship tomorrow. One of my students noticed & got so excited. “Is that a women’s soccer shirt? None of my teachers wear women’s soccer stuff. That’s so cool!”

It was even cooler than she knew.

Carving out belonging: Trenna Hill's journey to acceptance Trenna Hill defied an entire community in order to play lacrosse, but her love of the sport helped her find acceptance and belonging.

“It’s … about inclusion & how to never exclude people & how everyone has certain gifts & everyone’s contribution is essential.”

The story of the first-ever lacrosse game was essential to Trenna Hill’s lacrosse journey.

My story for the PLL:

premierlacrosseleague.com/articles/car...

It's their game. The IOC is refusing to allow them to play it. There's no better time to ask why.

Held the back line down 🧱

Tara McKeown is the 2025 NWSL Defender of the Year!

The Takeaway Check, Issue #91 Embrace the "6-7"

The Takeaway Check, Issue #91: “6-7” has escaped the classroom and has reached the basketball court, and even as a middle school teacher, I am here for it!

takeawaycheck.substack.com/p/the-takeaw...

Maturation date: How talented Tabor grew into an ISL force Tabor Academy came within an overtime goal of winning the ISL championship last season. How the players -- and program -- have matured.

'We knew we had the talent. It was just getting the program and the guys to come together as a team and buy in to what we were deciding to do'

@TaborLacrosse made big strides last year and is looking for a title in 2026.

My story for @NELaxJournal:

www.laxjournal.com/maturation-d...

See you there, friend.

I started reading Grant Wahl’s “World Class” anthology. The book jacket talks about his travels around the world writing. I find it really fascinating that when you read “Nacogdoches”, you don’t need a player’s name; you immediately know who the story is about.

Finally watched K-Pop Demon Hunters. It was magnificent!

The Takeaway Check, Issue #89 Halloween memories

The Takeaway Check, Issue #89: Sharing a 1990s Halloween family memory. Stay safe out there!

takeawaycheck.substack.com/p/the-takeaw...

Chris Kavanagh proud to be cover athlete for PLL Flagship trading cards After winning the 2025 PLL Rookie of the Year, Redwoods attackman Chris Kavanagh adorns the boxes of the new PLL Flagship trading cards.

“[The card] can increase in value, but it can definitely plummet in value as well."

Chris Kavanagh is proud to be on the box for the new PLL Flagship cards. He shares what it means to him & which players he would collect as well.

My story for the PLL:

premierlacrosseleague.com/articles/chr...

Picked these up at Target, @chrisrosie22.bsky.social. Very good andeasy to not realize how many you’ve eaten.

The Takeaway Check, Issue #88 I love everything about John Cena’s recent tribute to Bray Wyatt

The Takeaway Check, Issue #88: John Cena paid tribute to the late Bray Wyatt, and I loved everything about it.

takeawaycheck.substack.com/p/the-takeaw...

'The Standard': Brian Tevlin's coaches, teammates explain why he won Teammate of the Year California Redwoods captain Brian Tevlin won the 2025 Jimmy Regan Teammate of the Year Award. It was no surprise to his teammates and coaches.

"He’s someone that’s mastered how to reach everyone in the locker room."

Brian Tevlin's teammates nicknamed him "The Standard" & they explain why he won the Teammate of the Year Award.

My story for the PLL:

premierlacrosseleague.com/articles/the...

One of the funniest things is looking at your daughter wearing her Gabby’s Dollhouse costume while listening to her sing Rhea Ripley’s entrance theme “Demon in your Dreams.” 😆

PLL Fan's Guide to picking an NLL Team, 2025-26 edition The indoor season is nearly here. While a contentious negotiation for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement looked like it might result in some cancelled games, reports now indicate that camp will be ...

NLL season is rapidly approaching. If you're a PLL fan who wants to give indoor a try (you should!), you might be wondering which team to support. Where do my favorite players play? I've got you covered. PLL fan's guide to picking an NLL team.

www.sticksinlacrosse.com/post/pll-fan...

This is absolute world class!

The Takeaway Check, Issue #87 My USA Lacrosse Magazine Weekly Cover story and why sixes is a benefit to the world of lacrosse

The Takeaway Check, Issue #87: I wrote this week’s USA Lacrosse Magazine Weekly Cover story, and it was all about what we’ve learned about the sixes discipline. My biggest takeaway is that it’s something that is truly growing the game.

takeawaycheck.substack.com/p/the-takeaw...

It’s been a tough postseason at the plate for Ohtani, but last night is why he’s been the MVP. Tip of the cap to you, Shohei.

Yeah, I can’t put those kind of numbers up.

Weekly Cover: Sixes Fever The World Games 2025, the Atlas Cup and World Lacrosse Super Sixes shined a light on the Olympic discipline.

The World Games, Atlas Cup, & Super Sixes gave players, coaches & fans a lot of exposure to the sixes discipline. What did everyone learn after this cycle of events before qualifiers begin next fall?

My story is the Weekly Cover Story for USA Lacrosse Magazine:

www.usalacrosse.com/magazine/nat...

What a treasure trove. Definitely document more. Talk about it on the pod (when are we getting a new episode?). There’s nothing ever in mine, but maybe I’m not looking hard enough. Or maybe I’ve got to look by work in more Northern VA than where I’m living.

How Chloe Humphrey has become the face of the game A national champion at North Carolina and a U.S. National Team star, Chloe Humphrey (Darien, Conn.) is the new face of the game.

“I can’t even process all of it. I have to pinch myself.”

Broken records. Tewaaraton Award. National Championship. Team USA impact player. Chloe Humphrey’s 2025 was a dream come true, and it’s only the beginning.

My story for @NELaxJournal:

www.laxjournal.com/how-chloe-hu...

That’s a massive W

I must say, “The Fate of Ophelia“ is a banger.

That's a wrap from an action-packed Day 1 at the World Lacrosse Super Sixes 🔒

How did your squad do? 👀

#Lacrosse x #WLSuperSixes

While it’s a good question, I don’t know if it’s needed for this particular story. It was more about how the team rallied behind him and shared responsibility for their own shortcomings rather than a Deep dive into the play itself.

Read it earlier today. Absolutely fantastic!

This is a phenomenal piece.