>> PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Zach Currier CULVER MILITARY (IND.)
Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals was on >>FINAL BOYS’ TOP 10
1. Culver Military (Ind.) ÚLed by Princeton commit and Midwest Player of the Year Zach Currier, the Eagles (18-2) soared well above the rest of the region, losing only to Hill Academy (Ontario) and Boys’ Latin (Md.). The Eagles avenged a 15-10 loss to Hill Academy in late April with a 19-10 win less than a month later.
2. Upper Arlington (Ohio) ÚThe Golden Bears (20-2) rumbled to a state title with a powerful defense that held five playoff opponents to a combined 22 goals. All-American goalkeeper Jack Warmolts protected the cage, but he had plenty of help in All-American defenseman Jake Nolan and all-state defenseman Brandon Jones. Gus Ackley gave Upper Arlington yet another All-American talent at midfield.
3. Mason (Ohio) ÚThe Comets (17-3) made a splash, starting their season 10-0 and winning seven straight games heading into their postseason clash with eventual state champion Upper Arlington. Tom Hirsch (Adrian), notched 45 goals and 25 assists, but ultimately Mason was led by a powerful defense that surrendered seven or fewer goals in seven of its final eight games, anchored by Adam Osika and Luke Biggers, both bound for Albany this fall.
4. Loyola (Ill.) ÚThe Ramblers (19- 3) bounced back from a regular-season loss to New Trier, holding the Trevians’ to just six goals to win the state championship. Defenseman Michael Schiappa
(Bucknell) led the effort, while all-state attackmen Cal Callahan and Jack Penn proved to be clutch scorers in the playoffs.
Loyola (Ill.) attackman Cal Callahan goes to goal in an April 6 game at New York power West Genesee.
5. Brother Rice (Mich.) ÚJ.P. Forester was the inaugural winner of the Warrior Sports Michigan High School Lacrosse Player of the Year Award for the Warriors (18-5). The Richmond-bound attackman had 70 goals and 22 assists to lead Brother Rice to its ninth straight Division I state title.
6. New Trier (Ill.) ÚThe Trevians (18-4) never allowed more than nine goals to an in-state opponent, led by all-state defenseman Dylan Curry (Monmouth) and goalie Phil Rooney. Rooney was solid in his first season as a starter replacing current Providence goalie Jack Connelly.
7. Dublin Jerome (Ohio) ÚAfter the Celtics (16-7) allowed 19 goals in a loss to Timon St. Jude (N.Y.), they surrendered just 24 over their last six games combined, with first-team all-state midfielder Mikey Bano and second-team all-state defenseman JB Smith leading the way.
8. Glenbrook North (Ill.) ÚDespite an overtime loss at Saint Viator (Ill.), the Spartans (17-4) get a berth in the top 10 due to their tougher schedule, which included a good out-of-state win against Christian Brothers (Mo.). They almost upset New Trier before blowing a late lead. Ryan Maksimovic (71 goals, 31 assists) and James McFarland (52 goals, 34 assists) both ranked among the state’s top scorers.
9. Eden Priarie (Minn.) ÚSome things never change, as the Eagles (18-0) rode a well-balanced attack to another state title, scoring at least eight goals in all 18 of their games. Brooks Armitage (42g, 28a), Jake Woodring (39g, 12a) and Charlie Venable (36g, 27a) all had big seasons for Eden Prairie.
Defense does win
championships. Just ask Upper Arlington goalie Jack Warmolts. Read up on the Golden Bears and more from the Midwest.
LaxMagazine.com/HSBM A Publication of US Lacrosse
10. Cathedral (Ind.) ÚRyan Rodgers (55g, 20a) and Adam Bridges (53g, 14a) helped lead the Irish to a spectacular 19-1 season that included two wins over state powerhouse Carmel. Maryland-bound Wyatt Wood did it all as a first-team all-state midfielder.
TV, but Zach Currier knew he would not have time to watch. He chose lacrosse over Heat- Spurs. He’s used to that kind of sacrifice. “When I was 8 years old, my dad put me into lacrosse to toughen me up for hockey, and it ended up taking over my life,” Currier said. “I don’t know what it is about the sport, but I just love it. Every aspect of my life is pretty well based around it.” After practices, Currier typically will attend a game or stream a National Lacrosse League contest. After the season, he worked at a youth lacrosse camp. The midfielder will continue his career at Princeton. “I try to get involved with lacrosse as much as I can,” he said.
Currier has done more than just get involved in lacrosse, however. He has also begun to dominate it. “The best player on our team and, I think, the best player in the country is Zach Currier,” Culver coach Jon Posner said. “Whether it was in the East or Midwest, everybody commented how he was the best player on the field.”
Currier had 68 goals, 41 assists and 113 ground balls. He also won 69 percent of faceoffs. “He’s an offensive threat every time he touches the ball,” Posner said. “Defensively, he’s hands- down the best defensive midfielder I’ve ever seen.” Currier excelled even when playing a new position when long-stick midfielder Matt Neufeldt went down with an ACL injury. Currier loves the stick checks, creativity
and ball pursuit required to play long pole, where he actually began his career. On one assignment, he drew Shack Stanwick of Boys’ Latin (Md.), one of the nation’s top players.
“When I started, I didn’t really have great stick skills, but I could run really well,” Currier said. “I love to play long pole, so I always had it in my hands as much as I could, just messing around.”
Currier did all of this while recovering from wrist surgery in January. He played with a brace that rendered his left hand useless. Even now, he’s not 100 percent, though few would know it from the way he played in 2013. “There’s not too many of those type of players out there anymore that can really do everything and anything,” Posner said.
August 2013 >> LACROSSE MAGAZINE 39
©TD PAULIUS (CC); ©JOHN STROHSACKER (ZC); ©MEGAN PFISTER (JW)
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