This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
5 Players to Watch Brian Balkam Smithtown East (N.Y.)


The North Carolina-bound senior is one of the nation’s top


goalies. He made 239 saves for a .621 save percentage in 2011. Balkam and the Bulls faded late, however, giving up 47 goals in the last four games of the season.


Tony Britton Darien (Conn.) Britton has already committed to Cornell and is the “best


lock-down defenseman in Connecticut,” according to Blue Wave coach Jeff Brameier.


Henry West Darien (Conn.) Hampered by a leg injury in 2011, West is the “toughest


and most explosive midfielder in Connecticut,” Brameier said, as well as the “best shooter — bar none.”


Jordan Evans Jamesville-Dewitt (N.Y.) Evans’ overtime goal to beat Garden City in the state final


was indicative of the junior attackman’s talent, which he will take to Syracuse. “Those are the kinds of plays that you got to make,” said Jamesville-Dewitt coach Jamie Archer.


Patric Berkery Garden City (N.Y.) The Penn commit scored three goals in the


state final. “He was the best player we played against,” Archer said. Berkery, also a receiver for the Trojans’ football team, and Devin Dwyer give Garden City a great 1-2 punch.


Spotlight On…


Jamesville-DeWitt (N.Y.) Jamesville-DeWitt coach Jamie Archer has a simple philosophy for coaching, derived


from his playing days at Syracuse: let the kids run. “I coach that way because I think that kids like playing that way,” he said. “I don’t try to restrict kids from playing the game.” Archer’s methods have brought impressive results, including consecutive Class B state


title victories over Garden City. The Red Rams lost some fleet feet due to graduation. “Our overall team speed was as fast a team as I’ve ever had,” he said. But the Red Rams do return their top two scorers in Jordan Evans and Deke Burns. If they make another deep run into state playoffs, they will likely find a familiar foe. “Garden City is looking good to come from their same area,” Archer said. “I’m sure they would love to meet us again.”


Boys’ Preseason Top 10


1. Jamesville-Dewitt (N.Y.) [See Spotlight.]


2. Garden City (N.Y.) The Trojans have fallen in the Class B state final two


straight years and haven’t won a state championship since 2000. They did defeat Woodstick Classic rival Manhasset twice. Harvard has plucked some of Garden City’s best defensive talent (Stephen Jahelka and Brian Fischer), so matching its 3.91 goals against average from last year could prove difficult.


3. West Islip (N.Y.)


Before that crushing overtime loss to Farmingdale in the Class A state final, West Islip piled up clutch overtime wins over Smithtown West (twice) and Ward Melville. Junior midfielder Nick Aponte (Penn State) will lead the way for West Islip.


4. Ward Melville (N.Y.) Overtime losses to West Islip and Smithtown West


(in the playoffs) were the Patriots’ only blemishes in 2011. But they won a road game at Smithtown West earlier in the season, defeated Garden City by three goals and crushed irritant Connetquot. Ward Melville will be in the mix again.


5. Darien (Conn.)


Will the Blue Wave seize Connecticut? Darien challenged itself in 2011 with a trip to top-ranked Haverford and a tough road game at Manhasset. The Blue Wave came up short in both games, but the rigor of last year’s schedule should have it ready for this season. Darien boasts Case Matheis (Duke), who coach Jeff Brameier said “returns to hopefully establish all new scoring records here at Darien,” and Henry West (Cornell), returning from a leg injury.


A Publication of US Lacrosse


6. Deerfield (Mass.) The Big Green went undefeated in 2011 and won a tough


game against Salisbury (Conn.). The defense never gave up more than nine goals in a game and held seven opponents to five goals or fewer. The defense should stay strong with Ray Horgan. Adam Philie returns to lead a formidable attack.


7. Duxbury (Mass.) While the Dragons were generally silent


against New York competition, including a 10-0 loss Garden City, they won 14 straight games to


close the 2011 season. Most impressive of all, they absolutely crushed rival Billerica on the road 19-9.


8. Manhasset (N.Y.) The Indians’ only two losses came against Garden


City. Wins over Darien and Chaminade were impressive, but this year they will have to play all three squads on the road, which could prove challenging for Manhasset. Darien coach Jeff Brameier labeled the Indians one of the top three teams in New York.


9. Salisbury (Conn.) Salisbury is ready to compete for the Connecticut


state championship with two of the players in the nation. Attackman Mikey Morris (Johns Hopkins) and defenseman Tanner Scales (Virginia) bring star power to both sides of the field.


10. Avon Old Farms (Conn.) Don’t be fooled by the Winged Beavers’ 13-8 record


Nick Aponte


in 2011. Many of their losses came to top teams from Maryland, Virginia and New England. They nearly beat Salisbury at home. Brothers A.J. and Austin Rocco, both Yale commits, lead a potent attack, while goalie James Superka has big-game potential.


March 2012 >> LACROSSE MAGAZINE 63 Deke Burns


©LEE WEISSMAN (NA, PB); ©GREG WALL (DB)


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116