OBSERVER File Photo Former Gowanda/Silver Creek Black Panther Chase Scanlan (7), loads up on a shot during his school lacrosse playing days.

Chase Scanlan scored 104 points in the 2016 season for the Gowanda/Silver Creek Black Panthers. He was the nation’s highest scorer for that season and helped his team go to the Section VI finals game.

Chase moved on to play at IMG Academy for his 2017 campaign, which is down in Bradenton, Florida. He was given a scholarship due to his excellent play and is entering his senior year this fall.

Shayla Scanlan was a dominant force at Lake Shore High School for the past six seasons in varsity girls lacrosse. During that span, she earned the spot of the school’s all-time goals leader, at 234, and points, at 372.

Shayla’s ability to hit the back of the net led her to a Division I scholarship for the University of Louisville for women’s lacrosse and she starts college this fall.

These are not two anomalies. There are Scanlans everywhere when it comes to lacrosse and it is not by mistake.

Charlie Scanlan is the head coach for Gowanda girls lacrosse and has been coaching for 20 years. His impact on the lacrosse community is unmatched.

“I’ve played lacrosse for many years,” Charlie said. “I’ve played at some of the highest levels. I’ve coached at some of the highest levels. I’ve had box programs; I was the general manager for Iroquois national U19s and up until recently, the president and director of the minor nationals for the team Iroquois nations.”

There are also Scanlans who are excelling at the sport, but may not be putting up record-book numbers to make headlines.

So, how does one bloodline dominate the sport of lacrosse?

Well, it is not a formula, but a trend that the Scanlans excel at. The Cattaraugus Indian Reservation is a prime example.

On Seneca Street right outside of Lawtons on the reservation, there is an outdoor box lacrosse field. Beautiful, new and made for the local athletes that want to test their abilities. On Route 438, there is the Cattaraugus Community Center that hosts the Seneca Warchiefs, who play lacrosse in a stadium-like arena. Lacrosse is a love that begins at the youth level.

“Since I could walk, I’ve had a stick with me all the time,” Chase said. “I have been carrying it around with me and it takes you places. It’s brought me to Vancouver; it brought me down to Florida.”

Chase acknowledges that his upbringing had revolved around Native American traditions and lacrosse.

“I was playing catch and we always stick together and go down to the arena and the box and shoot around,” he said. “That’s where it all starts, backyard lacrosse. That’s where you get better stick skills and learn the game. A lot of it’s like friendships, too. It’s a big lacrosse community, so it means a lot to us and we get a lot out of it.”

The Scanlan name is nearly aligned with lacrosse success as members of the bloodline continue to put up numbers on the field.

Clay and Chase Scanlan are down at IMG. Charlie, the father of Clay, has another son Tommy who is making his way in lacrosse as well and will enter the 2017 Fall Draft for Major League Lacrosse.

It’s a family tradition to succeed in lacrosse. And it is the love of family that keeps their bond together. Commonly on Chase’s Twitter feed are posts from family members and the support that he gives toward them. It is something that he keeps close to his heart.

“There is no other feeling,” Chase said. “Honestly, it’s family for life. That’s what I always say because at the end of the day, whether it’s sports or not, all you have is your family. You have family to help you out no matter what, so it’s awesome to play with my family and it’s awesome to be around them. Not many people get to play with their cousins or their brothers and it’s just an unbelievable experience.”

Between the mixture of starting young, having facilities available and the pure love of the sport, lacrosse became akin to the Scanlans. Charlie believes there’s a little more to it as well.

“Honestly, I think we are all humble,” Charlie said. “We all know that this is a gift that the creator has given us. We don’t play for ourselves; we play for the creator and his enjoyment. That’s real heartfelt. It’s something that we believe and we are fortunate to do that.”

Though the Scanlans have already made a name for themselves, they are far from done. Charlie noted that he has 10 children, seven daughters and three sons, and there’s one more in the oven.

Simply put by Charlie, “You’ll see this name a lot.”

Email: Akuczkowski@observertoday.com

Twitter: @Kuczkowski95