Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/11/10
The final LaxGuys’ 2010 Boys’ National Scholastic Rankings. To go to entire top 50 and forum on LaxPower, click here.
1. West Islip (NY Sec 11) (21-1) • The Lions are the unanimous choice as the Lax Guys’ second annual national champion and received our first-place vote in the coaches’ poll. After finishing second in our inaugural rankings last season, the 2010 edition of West Islip lacrosse overcame a stunning overtime loss to Sachem North in their season opener back in March to become perhaps the most dominant Lions team of the past six years by the end of the season. Led by two consensus all-Americans, including Long Island’s new all-time leading scorer, attackman Nicky Galasso (North Carolina), and one of the most dynamic midfielders in the country in Andrew Hodgson (Towson), the West Islip offense was nearly unstoppable. The defense, led by senior Ed Ryan (Ithaca) and junior goalie Kyle Turri, gradually became one of the top units on Long Island throughout the season as well. Everything came together in an unbelievable playoff run, as the Lions outscored their six postseason opponents 91-38 on their way to their fourth New York Class A title in five seasons.
Goals For: 14.45
Goals Against: 6
Best Wins: Chaminade 10-7, A-Smithtown West 13-3, Connetquot 16-9, Ward Melville 16-5, Connetquot 13-9, N-Ward Melville 16-9, N-Farmingdale 13-1, N-Lakeland/Panas 20-10, N-Fairport 13-5
Losses: Sachem North 12-13 OT
Postseason: Won NYS Class A Championship (def. Fairport)
2. Manhasset (NY Sec 8} {20-0) • There was some debate over the second spot between these Indians and Jamesville-DeWitt, but in the end we decided on Manhasset because of their several wins over top 50 caliber competition. Manhasset, which was written off as an afterthought after losing a great senior class from their 2009 state championship team, surprised many (including us) by going undefeated through their difficult schedule and winning their fourth state title in program history. Led by a great defense, including one of the top sophomores in the nation, Rob Duvnjak, and a methodical offense powered by senior midfielders Drew Belinsky (Penn) and Pat Moroney (Amherst) along with senior attackman Chris Cook (Loomis Chaffee post-grad), Manhasset’s 2010 team successfully added to the great tradition of the most storied program on Long Island. They were challenged just once in the playoffs and outscored their state tournament opponents 43-19 after ousting rival Cold Spring Harbor in the Nassau Class C final, 7-5. Quite a bit returns for 2011 despite the losses, as Manhasset will make a run for a state title in Class B, where they will play next season.
Goals For: 12.3
Goals Against: 4.4
Best Wins: John Jay 12-3, Chaminade 7-6 OT, N-Darien 9-5, A-Garden City 7-6, Cold Spring Harbor 7-2, N-Cold Spring Harbor 7-5, N-Corning East 19-6
Losses: None
Postseason: Won NYS Class C Championship (def. Corning East)
3. Jamesville-DeWitt (NY Sec 3) (22-0) • One of the most underrated programs in New York, the Red Rams overcame the midseason loss of one of the nation’s best players, Under Armour All-American Jake Bratek (Syracuse), and still finished the season unbeaten and with the school’s second title in the past four seasons. Senior attackman Eric DeJohn (Trinity-Pawling post-grad) led an extremely efficient offense that failed to score in double digits just twice all season. His play became even more important once Bratek was lost for the season but was complemented by fellow senior attackman Cam Stone (Hobart) and junior midfielder Alex Hatem. J-D’s offense was the only one to score 10 or more goals in regulation time against Garden City. The defense was strong as well, with seniors Mac Feiner (Cabrini) and Dima Bakrukov (C.W. Post) standing out especially in the state finals, where they limited Devin Dwyer and Tom Gordon of Garden City to no goals. With their third state championship in program history, Jamesville-DeWitt moves into elite company and their program should no longer be overlooked.
Goals For: 15
Goals Against: 4.9
Best Wins: A-West Genesee 16-9, Fairport 13-11, Lafayette 14-5, A-Carthage 7-6, N-Auburn 11-8, N-Irondequoit 9-5, N-Garden City 11-5
Losses: None
Postseason: Won NYS Class B Championship (def. Garden City)
4. Conestoga (PA) (24-2) • The Pioneers capped a phenomenal season with a 10-6 victory over LaSalle in the state championship game in PA. With multiple big time wins and two one-goal losses on their record, Conestoga epitomizes what has become of Pennsylvania lacrosse, a powerhouse. The Pioneers’ strength laid in its defense, which boasts four D-I recruits: Juniors Ben Karr (Ohio State) and junior Brian Dailey (Duke) as well as senior leader Casey Ideka (Maryland). Ryan Buttenbaum (Lehigh) was absolutely dominant on faceoffs, while Hobart-bound netminder Peter Zonino stood tall in the cage. Seniors Ryan Lord (Maryland) and Jeff Chu (Michigan) were outstanding on offense, and sophomore Tyler Brooke emerged as a rising star for ‘Stoga. The Pioneers will graduate six D-I seniors and will send an additional eight seniors off to other schools, but the program will return many important contributors all around the field.
Goals For: 11
Goals Against: 3.77
Best Wins: A-Landon 6-2, N-Darien 10-6, N-Abington 13-5, N-Springfield-Delco 8-4, N-LaSalle 10-6
Losses: A-Haverford 8-7, A-Springfield-Delco 4-3 (OT)
Postseason: Won PIAA championship (def. LaSalle)
Why Conestoga over St. Paul’s – It was a tough call between these two elite squads, but we felt that Conestoga had piled up enough wins over top-flight competition, while only losing twice against top-20 caliber opponents, while St. Paul’s, with a similar amount of top wins, could not avoid a loss against Calvert Hall while also piling up twice as many total losses. Both of these teams are incredibly strong and won highly respected championships, but only one could get the #4 spot, and we had to choose Conestoga based on this criteria.
5. St. Paul’s School (MIAA) (15-4) • Although they suffered a handful of setbacks along the way, the Crusaders silenced the critics and captured the program’s 25th conference championship, their first since 2004. Junior Jay Carlson (Maryland) and Syracuse-bound senior Pat Powderly led an outstanding attack unit, while Andrew Barton (Providence) stepped up as a senior and put up big numbers from the midfield. Jeff Fountain and Alex Chay, both headed to Georgetown, were excellent senior leaders who made up the rest of a talented first line. The defense was consistently dominant all year without having a can’t-miss standout, while junior Gunnar Waldt did an excellent job in goal despite not playing the position since 8th grade. In the championship, coming in bitter after falling to Boys’ Latin in a triple overtime decision two weeks earlier, St. Paul’s overwhelmed the archrival Lakers in the second half in all facets of the game. The offense reeled off nine straight goals and the defense allowed just two shots in the third quarter on their way to a 17-7 win to take home the title in the nation’s toughest league.
Goals For: 11.75
Goals Against: 6
Best Wins: A-Georgetown Prep 9-8 3OT, St. Mary’s 14-4, Garden City 7-6, Loyola 10-5, McDonogh 11-5, A-Loyola 11-6, N-St. Mary’s 7-6, N-Boys’ Latin 17-7
Losses: A-Haverford 9-13, A-McDonogh 6-7, A-Calvert Hall 8-9, A-Boys’ Latin 10-11 3OT
Postseason: Won MIAA Championship (def. Boys’ Latin in final)
6. Salisbury School (CT, NE West 1) (13-1)) • After losing their best player in the preseason, FOGO Ian Gordon (Loyola), the Crimson Knights had the daunting task of facing Boys’ Latin and their high-powered offense. After being exposed and blown out in their first game, the Crimson Knights went undefeated the rest of the way. Going undefeated in the NE West is no easy feat, and that earns them the #6 spot in our rankings. Salisbury was led by seniors Brian O’Toole (Harvard), Brenden Gilson (Delaware), junior Walker Chaffee (UNC), and goalie Jamie Faus (Denver). Salisbury is sending seven seniors off to D-I programs and another five to other programs around the country. They should be back once again next year, as they will likely receive a handful of talented postgrads as well as a possible transfer of an exceptional rising senior attackman.
Goals For: 11.1
Goals Against: 6.3
Best Wins: Brunswick 14-10, Westminster 13-10, A-Deerfield 9-6, Avon Old Farms 4-3
Losses: A-Boys’ Latin 9-14
Postseason: None
7. La Salle College HS (PA) (21-3) • After graduating several All-Americans and key players, the Explorers weren’t exactly expected to have a strong year. They did just that, however, picking up some big wins along the way before falling in the PIAA final to Conestoga, 10-6. On offense, La Salle was led by quarterback Kevin Forster (Maryland) and a great midfield unit that consisted of rangy junior Jack Bogorowski (Hopkins) plus seniors Pat Resch (Dartmouth), Christian Cardinal, and freshman sensation Sean Coleman. The defense, which has been perennially dominant, was quite impressive as well, led by juniors Mark DiFrangia and goalie John Lawler. Next year should be another successful year for the La Salle program, as they return many key components of this past year’s team.
Goals For: 12.25
Goals Against: 4.8
Best Wins: Episcopal Academy 5-4, N-Georgetown Prep 10-8, N-St. Joe’s Prep 7-5, N-Abington 11-10, N-Springfield Delco 8-5
Losses: Haverford 6-9, A-Springfield Delco 5-11, N-Conestoga 6-10
Postseason: Lost in PIAA final (def. by Conestoga)
8. Boys’ Latin (MIAA) (16-4) • Giving up over eight goals per game is ordinarily not indicative of a top 25 team. However, Boys’ Latin doesn’t fit the description of most cases. Led by the top FOGO in the country, R.G. Keenan (UNC), Boys’ Latin’s offense imposed their will on teams and dominated possession time in most of their games. Their offense was spectacular and features many future D-I stars, including seniors Pat Foster (UNC) and Kevin O’Neil (Villanova), junior Wells Stanwick (Hopkins), and monstrous sophomore Greg Pyke. Athletic juniors Taylor Stothoff and Jeff Chase (Loyola) led a young but talented midfield unit. In a few games their defense was exposed, as evidenced in the MIAA championship game in which they gave up 17 goals on 20 shots on goal. Boys’ Latin graduates seven D-I recruits, and another four will go off and play in other divisions. Boosted by the addition of incoming freshman Shack Stanwick, the Lakers are an early favorite to win the MIAA in 2011.
Goals For: 11.6
Goals Against: 8.2
Best Wins: A-Saint Andrews 12-11, Salisbury 14-9, A-St. Mary’s 8-5, St. Mary’s 9-4,St. Paul’s 11-10 (3OT), N-McDonogh 10-7
Losses: N-St. Stephens/St. Agnes 7-11, A-Loyola Blakefield 6-7, A-McDonogh 6-10, N-St. Paul’s 7-17
Postseason: Lost in MIAA championship (def. by St. Paul’s)
9. Deerfield Academy (MA, NE West) (15-1)) • The Big Green had a fantastic season but finished just short of winning the NE West 1 after losing to Salisbury in their biggest game of the season. Deerfield was led by a potent attack featuring former Boys’ Latin star Christian Walsh (Duke) and junior Jimmy Bitter (UNC). Deerfield’s defense had a plethora of talented longpoles in John Rose (Harvard), Harley Brown (Denver), and John Zurlo (Denver). The Big Green will look to reload with a strong PG class after losing 12 seniors who will go off to play collegiate lacrosse.
Goals For: 13.7
Goals Against: 4.75
Best Wins: Brunswick 16-5, A-Westminster 6-4, A-Avon Old Farms 11-9
Losses: Salisbury 6-9
Postseason: None
10. Summit (NJ) (23-0) • The Hilltoppers enjoyed another successful season, breaking the record for consecutive wins with 45 and steamrolling in-state competition. Led by star goalie Brian Feeney (Penn) and longpole Bobby Lawrence (Colgate), the defense was the biggest story, as they were lights out all year. Danny Feeney (Penn) and Johnny Scioscia (Notre Dame) led a fantastic offensive unit. Some say the jury is still out on Summit considering that this was a down year in the Garden State, but it’s nearly impossible to deny that this was an outstanding team from top to bottom and worthy of this top 10 appearance. Despite losing a great senior class, the Hilltoppers will likely reload and be solid in 2011.
Goals For: 10.7
Goals Against: 2.3
Best Wins: A-Madison 12-3, Chatham 7-2, Mountain Lakes 9-2, N-Ridge, N-St. Joseph Metuchen 6-1
Losses: None
Postseason: Won NJ Tournament of Champions (def. St. Joseph Metuchen)
Also:
12. Springfield-Delco (20-3)
15. Haverford School (20-4)
43. Abington (19-4)
44. Garnet Valley (17-6)
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