Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/21/14
This is one of a series of previews for the 2014 Philly lacrosse season
Holy Ghost Prep (Firebirds)
2013 Record: 13-5 ( 16th in PA on Laxpower.com, eliminated in Districts by District Champion Avon Grove)
Head Coach: Ryan Tessler (13-5, 2nd Year as Head Coach)
Key returning players:
Bennett Zaba(SR) -Attack-55 G, 25 A
Michael Major(JR)-Attack-45 G, 25A
Ryan Kovacevich(SR)-Attack-43 G, 7 A
Sean McDonald(SR)-Midfield-30 G, 30 A
Greg Price(JR)-Goalie-65 Save Percentage
Alex Yake(JR)-Midfield-6 G, 30 A
Andrew Rose(SR)- Face-Off- Won 60 %, over 100 GBs
Greg Price- goalie had a 5.96 GAA
Coach’s Outlook: “The Firebirds will look to build on 2013. We expect our players to compete at the highest level while playing a physical style of lacrosse. We also plan on adjusting our team philosophy to enable us to control the tempo of the game. HGP Lacrosse will have great Senior Leadership to pave the way for our program.”
Smyrna High School, Delaware
2013 Record: 10-6 (lost in 1st Rd DIAA playoffs)
Head Coach: Mike Judy, 3rd Season
Key returning players: Joe Russillo MID, Luke Russillo MID, Chane Hemphill MID
Coach’s Outlook: “Smyrna loses 13 seniors from the 2013 playoff team and hopes a young, hungry squad can compete within the Henlopen conference.”
Allentown Central Catholic High School (Vikings)
Head Coach: Dan Dolphin, 7th year
Key returning players: Ryan Beville- Midfield, Paul Houck- Midfield, Paul Hunsberger- Mid/Attack, Jack Glemser- Attack, Rob Fidati- Attack, Parker Robb- Defense, Quinn Redding- Defense, Nile Luma- Defense.
Key Newcomers: Colton Thew- Attack, Drew Glemser- Midfield, Joe Wolf- Attack, John Alvarez- Goalie, MacLean Lincoln- Goalie
Coach’s Outlook: “Coming off of a 13-7 season in 2013, and a 4th straight appearance in the District XI championship game, Central Catholic returns a veteran team with 12 seniors.
“As it is every year, our goal is to win the District title, qualify for the state tournament, then see what we can do from there.
“Ryan Beville (Jacksonville), Jack Glemser (St. Johns) and Paul Houck (West Point) are all D-1 commits. Beville and Hunsberger are smart, do-it-all Midfielders who face-off, and play solid defense. Beville scored 25 goals and dished out 29 assists last year. Glemser scored 49 goals, and Houck possesses a 90 MPH shot. John Alvarez and MacLean Lincoln are neck-and neck for the starting goalie position. Parker Robb and Nile Luma lead what will hopefully be a stingy defense. Freshmenn Joe Wolf and Drew Glemser, and soph Colton Thew are expected to make significant contributions this spring.
“We should be able to score goals. The question is can we stop the other team from scoring more than us.
“The quality of play among the top teams in the Lehigh Valley Conference continues to improve each year. Challenging non-conference games early will prepare us for the conference schedule. One or two bad days can prevent you from making the conference or District playoffs.”
