by By Dan Ninham
In a recent New York state high school lacrosse game, Lafayette HS defeated Homer HS 17-7. One player for the winning team scored 10 goals and had three assists.
Jameson Bucktooth, 16, is from the Onondaga Nation. “My oñgwehoñwe name is Owihsadeka’ and it translates to Burning Ice,” said Jameson. “I am a sophomore at Lafayette Sr. HS south of Syracuse, NY, after a year of prep school. I play hockey for the Syracuse Cougars, field lacrosse for Lafayette Sr. HS, and box lacrosse for the Akwesasne Storm.”
“My mom said I never had any toys, and that I always had a stick and ball with me,” said Jameson. “At the age of three I started to play hockey in the winter and lacrosse in the summer. I played for the Onondaga Nation RedHawks from age 3 to 11 years old, where we won championships almost every year. From there I started to play with the Akwesasne Storm.”
Jameson was awarded MVP for the Canadian Box Lacrosse championships with Team First Nations. He also received MVP during the provincial championships with the Akwesasne Storm.
“My chief Shannon Booth has guided me in a positive way through athletics,” said Jameson. “He has given me tools to be a better person on and off the field.
“When our children are born, they receive their real names given to them from our clan mothers,” said Chief Shannon Booth. “At that time, the people are reminded about the gifts that our creator gives to us before we come to earth. No one really knows what their gift is until they’re a little bit older and it becomes clear what that gift might be.”
“One of those gifts the creator gives is the ability to heal people through the game of lacrosse. I’ve watched Jameson play the game of lacrosse since he was three years old, and at a very young age it was obvious that lacrosse was one of his gifts,” added Shannon.
“Jameson always plays with a good mind, the way we were instructed,” said Shannon. “He’s very talented and plays the game hard with everything he has every time he’s on the floor. More important than that, he’s humble. That is a quality hard to find these days in a young player with that much talent.”
“He’s a natural leader to his peers because of how he carries himself on and off the field. His family has raised him with our traditional teachings, and I believe that has set the path for who he is. We’re very proud of Jameson and all his accomplishments and more yet to come.”
“My father AJ Bucktooth taught me how to play the game of lacrosse the right way,” said Jameson.
“Jameson was a second year bantam playing for a new coach,” recalled Jameson’s father AJ Bucktooth. “He knew he was first line material but started on the third line and played a couple games there and was frustrated. I told him to stay positive and play the way he knows how to play and things would work themselves out. Next couple games he played hard scored a few goals each game. Made some big plays and moved up to second line. Some games later he was on first line and power play. He ended up earning the all star award for his team in the final six bantam ‘A’ championships.”
“My mother Jessica Honyoust has instilled in me to be a coachable player as well as a cooperative player,” said Jameson. “She encourages me to always make my other teammates better. If I see a teammate struggling she has taught me to always encourage them and give them good advice.”
“Jameson’s finesse on the crease was second to none. Did he score every time he had the ball? No. But, the kid turned out goalies like it was his 9-5 job. He’s always a joy to watch on the floor, even more so when the ball in his stick,” added Jessica.
“When he was younger it was easier to help guide him to make better decisions while playing,” said Jessica. “Now that he’s become a young man, I just encourage him to be the best version of himself both on and off the field, floor or on the ice. Also to be proud that he’s representing not only himself but his family, and where he comes from.”
“Jameson is empowering others by becoming a student-athlete,” said Jessica. “He was awarded Scholar Athlete by NYSPHSAA during his 2021 hockey season with the Syracuse Cougars. He turned his own grades around after a difficult COVID year when he was able to return to in-person schooling.”
“Greg Phillips has taught me confidence on and off the floor,” said Jameson. “All of my coaches from hockey and lacrosse have helped me.”
“When it comes to Jameson, I see a gifted kid who has the potential to be the best,” said Greg.
“I’ve been coaching for 15 years and had the opportunity to coach some outstanding athletes. I had the pleasure of coaching a number of professional players such as Miles and Lyle Thompson, Adam Bomberry, Brendan Bomberry, Kason Tarbell, and Nonkon Thompson just to name a few. I’ve also played with the best, having played alongside John Tavares,” added Greg.
“From what I’ve witnessed, Jameson is comparable to Miles and Lyle offensively,’ said Greg. “However, he made scoring goals look easier than Miles and Lyle did. Jameson was gifted with a natural scoring ability. Having coached him at the bantam age level, he was hands down the best finisher I’ve ever seen.”
“I prepare myself by working out with some of my teammates,” said Jameson. “We go to the local gym and focus on strength conditioning. I also participate in scrimmages with friends and family. This allows me to mentally focus on the game at hand. Emotionally, I prepare myself by focusing on the task at hand. Spiritually, I hold my wooden stick in my hands. All these actions keep me mentally focused during games.”
“Lacrosse is the storyline of my life,” said Jameson. “It is deeply instilled in me and it is what brings the men in my family together. I was brought up with a stick in my hands. I was brought up always playing the game, whether it be in the backyard playing catch, playing in the community box or playing competitively.”
When recounting his big game against Homer HS, Jameson said: “Everything just seemed to be going in. I played hard on both ends of the field.”
Native lacrosse coaches and families talk about the importance of the young one’s carrying on the game.
In the Onondaga community and beyond the elders are noticing another determined and disciplined lacrosse player making noise.
“I was wondering how many goals that Jamieson would have had if he were playing at the attack position rather than midfield,” said Uncle Boss Bucktooth, General Manager for the Iroquois Nationals heading to the World Games in Limerick, Ireland in July of 2022.
“He has a knack for being in the right spot at the right time and as a younger player that’s pretty special,” said Mark Burnam, U19 head coach of the Iroquois Nationals.
“There will always be a stick in my hands,” said Jameson.
Photo Credit: Jessica Honyoust
Was at the Homer game. So incredibly impressed by Jameson’s performance that game. Now, after having read this? Even more impressed as an individual off the field as well.