5 Players to Watch
Jordan Cunningham Lovett (Ga.) Cunningham was slowed by a shoulder injury last year but scooped 95 ground balls and tallied 10 points as a sophomore. The Denver-bound long-stick middle is a relentless grinder.
Connor Whipple St. Andrew’s (Fla.) An ambidextrous scorer at attack, Whipple led St. Andrews with 98 points (51g, 47a) as a sophomore. The Georgetown signee looks to guide St. Andrews to its ninth state title in 10 years.
Bear Goldstein St. Mark’s (Texas) Goldstein anchors one of the state’s best defenses. A star tailback on the gridiron, Goldstein has gone stride-for-stride with some of the state’s top attackmen. Goldstein, a junior, is uncommitted.
Devon Lewis Lake Highland (Fla.)
Arguably the most athletic midfielder in Florida, Lewis had 20 goals and eight assists as a sophomore on last year’s state championship squad. He will join Whipple at Georgetown in 2013.
Conor Peaks Ponte Vedra (Fla.) The Delaware commit’s brilliance between
the pipes sparked Ponte Vedra’s run to last year’s state semifinals. Said St. Andrews’ coach RJ Dawson: “He can literally stand on his head and make 30 saves.”
Spotlight On…
St. Andrew’s (Fla.) For the first time in nearly a decade, St. Andrew’s won’t enter the season as the reigning
state champion. That honor goes to Lake Highland, which knocked off the Scots in last year’s final. But St. Andrew’s still sets the bar. “We know we left something out there that we want to work to get back,” coach RJ Dawson said. Dawson has the depth to rotate 10 midfielders and 11 upperclassmen long poles. (Not
to mention Connor Whipple, the junior Georgetown commit whose dexterity and lacrosse IQ make him one of the best players in the South.) Dawson also has beefed up the out-of-state schedule to include Boys’ Latin (Md.), the Brunswick School (Conn.) and Cathedral Catholic (Calif.). “You have to keep these guys hungry,” he said.
Connor Whipple
Boys’ Preseason Top 10
1. St. Andrew’s (Fla.) [See Spotlight.]
2. St. Mark’s (Texas)
St. Mark’s only defeats in 2011 came at the hands of Coppell by a combined two goals. The Lions (19-2 in 2011) have emerged as the top team in the Lone Star State, boasting powerful attackman Will Perkins (Michigan) and a defense anchored by Bear Goldstein and Jay Park.
3. Lambert (Ga.)
Lambert (21-1) dominated the state last year, and there’s no reason not to expect more of
the same in 2012. The Longhorns have Georgia’s sturdiest defense, led by Grant Schuster, Colin Massa (Delaware) and Braxton Roman (High Point).
4. Dallas Jesuit (Texas)
Jesuit (17-3) has taken a step forward each of the last two seasons and returns seven seniors for 2012. All-State defenseman Michael McCarney highlights a solid unit that includes Hunter Hill, Nico Esteve and goalie Dan Morris.
5. Ponte Vedra (Fla.)
Upstart Ponte Vedra rode a 19-game winning streak to the state semifinals, where the Sharks (19-2) fell to St. Andrews. Ponte Vedra, led by attackman Brendan Francis (Navy) and goalie Conor Peaks (Delaware), will challenge Lake Highland to be Florida’s No. 2 team.
A Publication of US Lacrosse
6. Episcopal Dallas (Texas) Episcopal will surprise people under new coach Pat
Kennedy. The Eagles (14-7) lost a pair of attackmen to graduation, but Episcopal returns seven starters and boasts a solid midfield anchored by Barrett Anigian and Hayden Wilson (Hofstra).
7. Lake Highland (Fla.)
After losing 18 starters, Lake Highland (20-1) is a long shot to repeat last year’s success, when it captured the first state championship in school history. But the Highlanders are still strong, as midfielders Devon Lewis, Davis Anderson and Malcolm Clayton, and attacker Austin Tamayo (Washington & Lee) will give opposing goalies fits.
8. Walton (Ga.)
The Raiders are the favorites to repeat as Georgia AA champions. Walton (18-3) returns two of its top three scorers in midfielder Matt Morabito and attackman Joe Cheroff.
9. Lake Norman (N.C.)
Expect the Wildcats (15-1) to come back hungry after an early exit in the playoffs last year. Attackmen Danny Brown (Air Force), Max Copeland and Will Scott, who combined for 128 goals in the regular season last year, all return.
10. Louisville Trinity (Ky.)
This could be the year Trinity ends St. Xavier’s championship streak. Look for the Shamrocks (15-1) to control possession, as Brad Lott (Michigan) has emerged as one of the best faceoff men in the country.
March 2012 >> LACROSSE MAGAZINE 59
©SCOTT MCCALL (ALL)
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