Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/18/12
The Bucks Select boys’ 2014 team had to battle the heat and some of the best club teams who came out to the Brine Summer Sizzle Tournament last weekend in Baltimore to end the weekend as undefeated high school division champion.
Back Row L-R: Coach Steigerwald, Coach McGowan, Mark Remmey, Will Dempster, Rich Hartung, Shane Magrann, Jim Steigerwald, Hunter McGowan, Ryan Sullivan, Matt Schmidt, Coach Coverdale, Coach Fisher
Bucks Select 2014 is now 10-2 in game play in its last two tournaments; two weeks ago at the Tri-State National Tournament in New Jersey and this past weekend at the Brine Summer Sizzle.
“The entire team played well this weekend,” said Coach Mike McGowan. “We had many guys step up at different times to contribute in big ways. We are very proud of what this group of boys achieved at Summer Sizzle, playing good solid lacrosse to go undefeated all weekend.”
Bucks Select reached the finals after sweeping pool play and winning over teams from Virginia, Michigan, Georgia, and Maryland. Behind great faceoff work at the “X” by Colin Patterson (Council Rock South), Cam Price (CB East), and Dan Kelly (CB South), Bucks Select was able to control the majority of possessions all tournament long.
Also contributing to processions from the wing off the draw were Drew Nice (Souderton), Jim Steigerwald (CB West), AJ Caputo (CB South), and longstick Ryan Sullivan (CB South). Helping with transition from coast to coast were Derek Gardner (Notre Dame HS) and Callan Holcombe (CB West) to help initiate many offensive processions.
Defensively, Bucks Select was sharp in the cage all weekend with spectacular play from Xander Pacilio (Chestnut Hill Academy), who made many point blank saves, with 66% on total saves. Longsticks Richard Hartung (CB East) and Hunter McGowan (Souderton), often times were the catalyst for offensive production with many breaks up over the midfield line. Will Dempster (CB East), Chris Malanga (Souderton), and Mark Remmey (CB East) were a menacing presence on the defensive side of the field causing many turnovers.
Offensively, Matt Schmidt (CB East) was the right handed sniper with net ripping shots from outside. Matt Milici (CB East) and Alex Fisher (Allentown Central Catholic) both showed their ankle breaking dodging abilities around the cage as well as their keen eye for feeding the crease, along with some nice finishes themselves. Cameron Trick (Souderton) and Shane MaGrann (Council Rock South) also contributed in a big way by showing their mastery of the crease with well timed cuts and a bunch of quick stick goals.
“These summer tournaments are a great test of a teams skill, ability, and individual player lacrosse IQ, and the ability to bring it together against some of the best match-ups in the country,” said coach McGowan. “This team is loaded with talent and character, and our guys showed that they have what it takes to win a higher level tournament championship.”
