St. Anthony’s could make a case for consideration as the nation’s top team entering the 2020 season, as the Friars return a loaded squad that appears capable of handling an especially tough schedule this year.

*US Lacrosse Magazine recently released its Nike/US Lacrosse High School Boys' Preseason National Top 25. Check it out here.

1. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)
Last season: 15-1

The Friars are loaded. The lineup features the nation’s top-ranked senior, reigning Northeast Player of the Year Brennan O’Neill (Duke), and junior midfielder Andrew McAdorey (Duke). Coach Keith Wieczorek’s squad upended an impressive list of opponents last year, and the 2020 slate is just as challenging, including the likes of rival Chaminade (N.Y.), Delbarton (N.J.), St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), Yorktown (N.Y.) and New Canaan (Conn.).

2. Victor (N.Y.)
Last season: 17-5

Coach Jim Andre has built the Rochester-area program into one of the best in the state, as Victor is looking to claim its fifth state title in six years. The Blue Devils are led by the Albany-bound trio of attackmen Camden Hay, Joey Pezzimenti and Regan Endres. Hay and Pezzimenti combined for 93 goals and 86 assists in 2019.

3. Chaminade (N.Y.)
Last season: 12-2

The Flyers boast another talented squad. Returners for coach Jack Moran include goalie Alex Zepf (Cornell) and defenders Brendan McCabe (Michigan) and Patrick Noonan (Denver). Faceoff specialist James Ball (Yale) is one of the best in the region. The Chaminade schedule is again littered with tough tests against programs like St. Anthony’s, Delbarton (N.J.), Darien (Conn.), Gonzaga (D.C.) and Massapequa (N.Y.).

4. Darien (Conn.)
Last season: 16-5

Legendary coach Jeff Brameier guided the Blue Wave to their 14th state title since 1997. Darien’s tough slate includes matchups with Manhasset (N.Y.), Chaminade, Yorktown (N.Y.) and Ridgefield (Conn.). Goalie Andy Demopoulos (Johns Hopkins) and Michael Minicus (Colgate) are among the team’s top returners.

5. Manhasset (N.Y.)
Last season: 16-3

Manhasset’s season ended in the state quarterfinals, but coach Keith Cromwell is challenging the Indians with matchups against Garden City (N.Y.), Darien and Chaminade. Jake Tolentino (Georgetown) is a key returner on defense, while Peter Lapina (Dartmouth) and Aidan Mulholland (Michigan) provide firepower on offense.

6. Brunswick (Conn.)
Last season: 16-3

The Bruins are loaded, especially with a junior class featuring defenseman Colin Mulshine (Princeton), midfielder Blake Borges (Syracuse), LSM Blake Burchill (Bucknell) and midfielder Lucas Delgado (Michigan). Brunswick’s schedule includes games with Deerfield (Mass.), Darien, Haverford School (Pa.) and Hill Academy (Ontario, Canada).

7. Massapequa (N.Y.)
Last season: 18-2

The Chief open the season looking to build on a 16-game winning streak, which was punctuated by a state Class A championship. Attackman Jack Lufti (St. John’s), midfielder Logan Tucker (Albany) and defender AJ Pilate (Army) are among the seniors leading the returning cast of players. Coach Tim Radomski’s squad will face the likes of Chaminade (N.Y.) and Smithtown East (N.Y.).

8. Garden City (N.Y.)
Last season: 16-2

Senior Billy Kephart (Cornell) returns to anchor what should be a sound defense. Garden City boasted impressive wins over St. Ignatius (Calif.), Loyola (Ill.), Shoreham-Wading River (N.Y.) and Smithtown West (N.Y.) in 2019. The 2020 slate features tough matchups with Shoreham-Wading River, St. Ignatius and Manhasset.

9. Ward Melville (N.Y.)
Last season: 14-4

Senior goalie Collin Krieg (North Carolina), senior defender Alex Schrank (Providence) and senior LSM Ethan Larson (North Carolina) return to lead the Patriots. Ward Melville will face a challenging schedule with matchups ahead against St. Anthony’s, Chaminade, Smithtown West (N.Y.), and John Jay-Cross River (N.Y.).

10. Baldwinsville (N.Y.)
Last season: 16-4

The Bees saw their season end with a heartbreaking loss in the state Class A semifinals. But 2020 is shaping up to be a special year for Baldwinsville, as it returns a talented core of players in Braden McCard (Mercyhurst), Brendan Wilcox (Boston University), Casey Scott (Mercyhurst) and Braden Lynch (Fairfield). The Bees will be one of the best teams in the Syracuse area and will be tested by teams like Jamesville-DeWitt (N.Y.) and West Genesee (N.Y.).