SOUTH REGION Nike/US Lacrosse High School Preview NORTHBOUND AND DOWN PRESEASON TOP 10 >>
1. MILTON (GA.) The Eagles lost seven players to Division I programs but have another eight — including Mackenzie Lech (San Diego State) on the roster in pursuit of a fifth straight state title.
2. VERO BEACH (FLA.) The eight-time defending state champ lost
just three starters and brings back two-time All-American Katy Pridemore.
3. ST. JOHN’S (TEXAS) Coming off their first perfect season
against Texas competition, the Mavs may face a tougher path to their ninth state title.
4. HUTCHISON SCHOOL (TENN.)
The Sting won 20 straight, three-peated as state champ and now boast an especially strong senior class.
5. BENJAMIN (FLA.)
Maria Dattolo and Hayley Ciklin lead a loaded squad whose only losses last year were to Vero Beach.
6. LASSITER (GA.)
The team that gave Milton a scare in the state semifinal returns almost entirely intact.
7. BARRON COLLIER (FLA.) With a depleted roster, the Cougars could have a hard time repeating last year’s breakout success but will rebuild behind North Carolina signee Olivia Ferrucci.
8. LAMAR (TEXAS) The improved Redskins were the closest to knocking off St. John’s last year.
9. WALTON (GA.)
The Raiders should remain strong with elite players such as sophomore attacker Erin McBride.
10. EAST CHAPEL HILL (N.C.) The state champ must
replace Sydney Holman and her state-record 128 goals.
Vero Beach (Fla.) will take its reputation as a regional power on the road for national recognition By Laurel Pfahler
hannon Dean sat in his office, admiring the most challenging schedule he’s ever put together for his Vero Beach (Fla.) girls’ lacrosse team. The 12th-year coach loves a chance to compete against the nation’s best. The Fighting Indians will face four of the teams that finished in the top five nationally last year and two more that finished in the top 15. But a recent discovery might hurt
S
Dean’s schedule in the future. Could this be the last year Vero Beach faces teams like McDonogh (Md.), St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), Georgetown Visitation (D.C.) and St. Paul’s (Md.)? “Let’s hope not,” Dean said. In November, Dean learned another Florida school was denied a scheduling request from St. Paul’s, citing an FHSAA rule that says opponents must be affiliates of the National Federation of High School State Associations. Many nationally ranked teams are not. Vero Beach self-reported the four games that had been scheduled in violation of the rule, which until 2012 only stated the school must be “in good standing of associations that regulate interscholastic athletics.” Vero Beach had played teams not affiliated with the NFHS many times before, as have others around the state in a variety of sports.
Florida-bound Katy Pridemore will showcase her abilities against McDonogh, St. Anthony’s and other nationally renowned teams.
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A Hayley Ciklin Benjamin (Fla.)
M Eden Epner St. John’s (Texas)
M Olivia Ferrucci Barron Collier (Fla.)
A Loring Gearhardt Hutchison (Tenn.)
D Lyndsey Lafitte Lamar (Texas)
M Mackenzie Lech Milton (Ga.)
A Erin McBride Walton (Ga.)
M Katy Pridemore Vero Beach (Fla.)
M Shelby Scanlin Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.)
M Cydney Tutchton Lassiter (Ga.)
A Publication of US Lacrosse
The FHSAA responded with a $400 fine, a letter of reprimand and notice that future occurrences would lead to greater sanctions. A spokesperson for the association confirmed others also received fines, such as the St. Andrew’s (Fla.) boys’ lacrosse team, which plays McDonogh, Boys’ Latin (Md.) and Kincaid (Texas). “The schools had already committed to a lot of travel and money to come down here, so they allowed us to play, but they said it’s a one-year deal,” Dean said. Dean said Vero Beach will follow the rules, but he still hopes to work it out so he can continue to maintain a competitive schedule. In 2013, the Indians played five top-25 teams. Sixteen players return from that 20-4 squad that also won an eighth straight Florida state championship. Vero Beach’s efforts to schedule quality opponents this season were helped by the ability to travel out of state — something the Indians had not done since the FHSAA banned them from doing so from 2010 to 2012 as punishment for a separate 2009 scheduling rule violation. Vero Beach, which elected on its own terms not to travel last year, plays Milton (Ga.) and Georgetown Visitation at Duke on March 15, at St. Anthony’s on April 11 and at Moorestown (N.J.) on April 12. “Our name will be recognized when we go up north, but I don’t think people realize what we can bring to the table,” senior defender Emily Long said. “Traveling to them is a chance to show everyone that we are an advanced team ready to play anyone.” LM
March 2014 >> LACROSSE MAGAZINE 55
©SCOTT MCCALL (ML, HC); ©JOHN STROHSACKER (ML)
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