Each of the earlier two seasons, the MIAA boys lacrosse state championship has come right down to a Catholic Conference showdown, with St. John’s Prep defeating rival BC High in each situations.
Could John Pynchon’s group have visions of a three-peat? Given the variety of acquainted faces returning, it’s exhausting to examine a precipitous dropoff for the Eagles, and the St. John’s Prep coach is hopeful that this squad can proceed what’s rapidly trending towards a dynastic run. The Eagles (22-1) parted methods with just a few key gamers, together with Providence commit Tommy Sarni, however welcomed again Jimmy Ayers, Matt Morrow and Jake Vana, to call just a few.
“We have a lot of returning guys,” mentioned Pynchon. “But we have a ton of new faces on the defensive end. We’re really trying to balance out our high expectations with the reality that we’re in 2023, that we’re not our 2022 team. Just trying to stay focused on getting work done, and getting the kids to continually trust that we’re getting better each day.”
BC High (17-6) could have a tall job enjoying in a Div. 1 area that immediately has turn out to be even deeper, however stay a harmful menace. Expect the crew to rely closely on Georgetown commit James Carroll (18 targets, 16 assists), who emerged as one of many state’s most electrifying gamers. In addition to his skills offensively final 12 months, the now-senior added 119 floor balls to go together with 80 precipitated turnovers.
Xaverian (13-8) noticed highly-touted prospect Henry Hasselbeck be a part of its lacrosse ranks after a stint at Belmont Hill. Couple that with the return of Brendan Owens, Griffin Ready, Sebastian Reyes to go together with a giant junior class, and the Hawks immediately have taken on the type of a juggernaut.
The traditional publics ought to contend. Hingham loved a run to the state semifinals earlier than faltering to St. John’s Prep (a 12-8 loss final June 18). The Harbormen will rely closely on Richmond commit Charlie Packard for offensive firepower, together with fellow senior captain Joe Hennessey.
Other Div. 1 faculties to key in on embody apparent candidates, equivalent to Acton-Boxboro, Lincoln-Sudbury and Needham. Franklin is shaping as much as make noise out of the Hockomock League, with different packages equivalent to Concord-Carlisle, Natick and North Andover lurking as doable sleepers.
Billerica (18-5) launched into a incredible run to the Div. 2 championship final spring. While the Warriors noticed their season finish by the hands of Longmeadow (a 9-8 double time beyond regulation loss June 21), there’s loads of cause for pleasure this 12 months. The college boasts arguably the state’s prime goaltender in Scottie Einarson (315 saves), who’s certain for Bryant subsequent fall. The Warriors may also flip defensively to Franklin Pierce commit Kyle Breitwieser and Nick Magliozzi, who’s headed for St. Leo’s. Junior attackman Aidan Gibbons will present a scoring spark after racking up 52 targets and 31 assists final 12 months.
Longmeadow has made the state finals every of the earlier two seasons, and gained the title in 2022 with a aim by Coleson Hanrahan. Now, the Lancers can be counting on senior midfielder Dominic Veratti (a Pace University commit) and attackman John Wright (main aim scorer from final season). Not to say, the varsity additionally welcomes again Merrimack commit Antonio Izzo, and a defensive stalwart in Ryan Dzierzcowski.
With two Saint Anselm commits in lengthy stick middie Nate Johnson and goaltender Finn Granara slated to make a comeback, Reading (18-4) as a robust candidate to achieve the state semifinals for a 3rd consecutive season, if not win all of it. Last 12 months, the Rockets surrendered a median of simply 6.5 targets per recreation. Expect that development to proceed, as St. Lawrence-bound Mike Miele will anchor issues on the defensive finish as captain.
The Patriot League must also be well-represented in Div. 2. Duxbury (17-5) launched into a voyage to the Final Four one 12 months again, and can stay a contender because of its depth. Wyatt Glass is slated to guide the Dragons on assault, with lengthy stick middie Parker Villarin and defenseman Christian Biggins shoring issues up defensively.
Meanwhile, Scituate (15-5) can be trying to hold tempo with their native rivals, and sees the return of key cogs equivalent to James Sullivan (63 targets, 11 assists) and Will Robinson (42 targets, 23 assists). Other groups that might make a leap on this area embody Marblehead, Nauset and Westwood.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jimmy Ayers (St. John’s Prep)
Christian Biggins (Duxbury)
Ryan Blagg (Chelmsford)
Kyle Breitweiser (Billerica)
James Carroll (BC High)
Jayden Consigli (Franklin)
Luke Davis (Franklin)
Scott Einarson (Billerica)
Aidan Gibbons (Billerica)
Wyatt Glass (Duxbury)
Finn Granara (Reading)
Henry Hasselbeck (Xaverian)
Joe Hennessey (Hingham)
Anthony Izzo (Longmeadow)
Nate Johnson (Reading)
Mike Miele (Reading)
Matt Morrow (St. John’s Prep)
Jack O’Hanian (Concord-Carlisle)
Brendan Owens (Xaverian)
Charlie Packard (Hingham)
Griffin Ready (Xaverian)
Sebastian Reyes (Xaverian)
Tyler Sacchetti (Franklin)
James Sullivan (Scituate)
Jake Vana (St. John’s Prep)
Dominic Veratti (Longmeadow)
Parker Villarin (Duxbury)
Source: www.bostonherald.com