By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/9/10
Attackman Joey Jones and midfielder Anthony Hensley – two key members of Abington’s drive this year to the Suburban One National Conference and the state tournament – and Springfield-Delco midfielder Joe Devinney have committed to play lacrosse at junior college power Essex Community College (Md.) for 2010-11.
Jones was a first-team Suburban One and an Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association pick this year. He collected 54 goals and 55 assists and was a key cog in a powerful attack that helped the Ghosts finish 19-4 and reach the semifinals of the District 1 championships. Jones originally committed to Hofstra and hoped to play with fellow Ghost senior Rich Rambo, but he hopes to eventually move to a Division I program after playing at Essex.
Jones is familiar with Essex because his uncle, former Abington great John Ciliberto, played two years at Essex (1997-98) and then went on to star at the University of Delaware.
Hensley was a second-team Suburban One National pick this season and piled up 39 goals and 21 assists.
Devinney was an honorable mention Central League pick on a Springfield-Delco team that won the league championship and advanced to the District 1 finals before falling to league rival and eventual state champion Conestoga.
This year Essex – featuring three key players from Philly – went 16-2 and won the Region 20 title before reaching the finals of the National Junior College Athletic Association championships where it fell to Onondaga (N.Y). Freshman defenseman Neil Willis (Malvern Prep) was a first-team Juco All-American while sophomore midfielder Reed Phillips (Downingtown East) was a second-team All-American and freshman midfielder Rocco Piliero (Downingtown East) was a second-team All-State Juco pick.
“It’s a good two-year lacrosse program and hopefully I can transfer to a D1 school,” Devinney said.
“This was only my second year playing lacrosse and both seasons were (great). This season in particular was more fun. We had 12 seniors and we were all close so it just made it more fun.”
