Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/27/09
La Salle was “defeated” today by West Islip (N.Y.) in the semifinals of the inaugural LaxPower National Online Tournament.
The Explorers, the two-time Pennsylvania state champion, got only one winning nod from the panel of four experts in the virtual boys’ championship. The LaxPower computer also chose West Islip, which will meet Gilman (Md.) in the finals Wednesday. Gilman toppled Manhasset (N.Y.).
The tourney field was chosen with the champions in each state and the top team in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council, according to LaxPower’s final Power Rankings (PR) for the 2009 season.
The 24 highest-rated teams remaining in the country based on their final Power Rankings for the 2009 season, with any ties broken based on strength of schedule.
Teams were seeded by Power Rating on an S-curve to create tournament brackets.
Winners are determined based on votes from LaxPower’s panel and by using the LaxPower computer Power Ratings (PR) as the fifth vote. The computer ratings were employed in creating a probability function such that the larger Team A’s PR differential vs. Team B, the greater the odds that they would win when a small group of random numbers was generated. This means that the computer may pick an underdog and that upsets are possible.
Semifinals
(1) West Islip Lions (NY) 99.85 def.
(1) La Salle College HS (PA) 99.80
George Baldassare: West Islip – West Islip by two.
Brett Manney: West Islip – The Lions are the more consistent team and play exceptional defense and unselfish offense.
Eris Smith: La Salle – This stalwart defense really put it together down the stretch, and they continue to do so here.
Ryan Rhode: West Islip – The Lions’ defense gives the La Salle offense problems. West Islip takes it by a couple.
Computer: West Islip
(1) Gilman Greyhounds (MD) 99.90 def.
(1) Manhasset Indians (NY) 99.75
GB: Gilman – Gilman in OT.
BM: Gilman – Defenseman Cappellini cannot shutdown all of the talented, senior-laden Greyhounds, and the Indians’ fast-paced attack is thwarted.
ES: Gilman – The Greyhounds are too deep, but for old time’s sake: Connor English (I had to say it).
RR: Gilman – Prevas and English go back and forth all night as do Homan and Cappellini, but the Greyhounds have more weapons and pull it out in the end.
Computer: Manhasset
