The Nike/US Lacrosse High School National Top 25s and Regional Top 10s for boys' and girls' lacrosse were released Tuesday. Over the next few weeks, we will roll out in-depth previews for each of the five regions.
(Teams in the South region, including Florida and Texas, have already begun play. These rankings and capsules were written before the season started. Check back to uslaxmagazine.com for the first in-season update next Tuesday.)
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.)
2017 Record: 21-1
The two-time Florida state champions were definitely hit by graduation with the loss of three All-Americans, including two-time South Region Player of the Year Kevin Crowley, attacker Jimmy Harrington and midfielder Joey Guglielmo. But, two starting midfielders return, along with the entire defense in Noah Casey, Carson Lees and Kyle Gittelman, a pair of long-stick middies, and goalie Ryan Leahy, last year’s backup who made nine saves after stepping in during the second quarter of the state title game. A tough schedule that includes nationally-ranked McDonogh (Md.) will have the Raiders ready for the state playoffs.
2. Dallas Jesuit (Texas)
2017 Record: 15-5
The Rangers rallied to win their second consecutive THSLL state championship last spring. Although they lost All-American goalie Luke Millican, who was the state tournament MVP, another outstanding All-American returns in midfielder David Sprock. Sprock, one of the top players in the country, heads a strong senior class that also returns defenders Marshall Rodegast, Aidan Johnston and Greyson Mokarow, and Will Moran will step in at goalkeeper. The defense, if it jells, will be a big key to the Rangers’ season. Also back are senior attackman/midfielder Jack Tabor and midfielder Grayson Hassel.
3. Lassiter (Ga.)
2017 Record: 17-4
The Trojans return eight starters from last year’s GHSA 6A/7A state championship team. It was their first title since 2006 and the 10-5 win ended Lambert’s in-state win streak at 39 games. Seniors Choice Mostellar, Justin Edwards and Colvin Presser all return up front, along with senior midfielders John Michael McCormack and Sami Obeidat, sophomore midfielder Murphy Mostellar and senior goalie Dominick MacJack.
4. Lambert (Ga.)
2017 Record: 20-2
The Longhorns return 26 lettermen from last year’s state runner-up team, which means they are deep and experienced and especially loaded with offensive talent. Senior Phil White returns as the faceoff specialist. Attackmen Kyle Lewis and Peyton Miller, midfielders Johnny DiVirgilio and Bradley Wehman, defensemen Donovan Lilly and Zach Zeman and goalie Logan Steele are among the senior returners. Every attacker is committed to a college, including junior Gerard Kane, making the offense potentially, one of the best in school history.
5. Middle Creek (N.C.)
2017 Record: 22-0
The Mustangs have six starters back from the team that won its first NCHSAA 4A state championship last year, including the heralded brother tandem of Owen and Jake Caputo. Owen Caputo is a senior attacker who earned All-American honors last year, and Jake Caputo is a junior midfielder. Senior defenseman Garrett Patrick and senior long-stick middie AJ King, junior midfielder/faceoff specialist Graham Schwartz and junior attackman/midfielder David Beard, and sophomore defenseman Ben Lever are the other top returners. A challenging schedule that includes Lassiter (Ga.) will have the Mustangs ready for another playoff run.
6. Ponte Vedra (Fla.)
2017 Record: 19-2
The Sharks return eight starters from a strong team that was upset early in the state playoffs last year. Beyond that, the Sharks are deep and experienced with most of the roster back. Sophomore Carter Parlette, who previously played at Hagerty (Fla.), and junior Max Schalit, a transfer from Matanzas (Fla.), will further bolster the lineup. Goalie Wyatt Schupler, midfielder Jack Burke, attackmen Walker Azzaro and CD James and defenders Andrew Bray and Taylor Funke are among the top returning seniors. Other returners to watch include junior midfielder Matayo Trumble and sophomores Dylan Hess (midfielder), Tommy Zitello (long-stick middie) and Riley McCormack (defenseman).
7. Episcopal Dallas (Texas)
2017 Record: 18-1
The Eagles were the THSLL runners-up last spring and lost a great senior class, but they’re still loaded. Junior defender Scott Bower leads a strong returning defense that gained a lot of experience last year. Senior goalie Prescott King, who had a 4.72 goals against average last season, also is back, along with defenders Carson Raney (junior) and Henry Watson (sophomore). Long-stick middies Chase Toledo and Andrew Griffin bolster the defense, along with Blair Oden, who had 31 groundballs last year. Two faceoff specialists return, along with two top scorers in midfielder Patrick Skalniak (37 goals, 16 assists) and attackman Brandon Meaux (53 goals, 24 assists).
8. Centennial (Ga.)
2017 Record: 18-4
The Knights return six starters from last year’s team that advanced to the GHSA 6A/7A semifinals, including senior attackman Nicky Solomon, who is one of the most prolific scorers in the country with 467 career points. He leads a strong attack that includes senior Colin Hall, junior Ryan Siracusa and senior midfielders Ben Shealy and Ty Tom. All of the Knights’ leading scorers from last year return. Also back are junior midfielder/faceoff specialist Caleb Sadd, junior defenseman Brett Meskill, senior defenseman Michael Garrison and junior goalie Austen Hensel. A trip to the King of Spring will be a good test for this balanced team seeking a return to the state title game.
9. Weddington (N.C.)
2017 Record: 19-1
The Warriors are coming off their first NCHSAA 1A/2A/3A state championship. Although they lost some notable players, they return nine who were full-time or part-time starters. Senior attackman Austin Leonard, who had five goals in the state title game, and junior faceoff specialist/midfielder Whitnor Litton, who had nine groundballs and won 23 of 29 faceoffs in the title game, are among the top returners. Expectations are high for the team despite undergoing a coaching change.
10. Louisville St. Xavier
2017 Record: 16-4
The Tigers return nine starters from last year, when they were the state runners-up, and this is a team that has skill and depth at every position. The returning starters are senior attackman Keegan Puffer, midfielder/faceoff specialist Peyton Bray, midfielders Ty Bentley and Noah Mackin, defenders Ben Mueller and Max Malkani and long-stick middie Colton Blacketer, as well as junior attackman Will Hubbs and midfielder Pat Anderson. Junior goalie Connor Higgins, a transfer from Archbishop Spalding in Maryland, also is a player of note The Tigers have a terrific schedule with Christian Brothers (Tenn.), Culver Prep (Ind.), Cathedral (Ind.) and several Virginia powers, including state runner-up Norfolk Academy.
Players to Watch
Scott Bower, Episcopal Dallas (Texas)
Jr., D/LSM (Virginia)
Owen Caputo, Middle Creek (N.C.)
Sr., M (Duke)
Chase Scanlan, IMG Academy (Fla.)
Sr., M (Loyola)
Nicky Solomon, Centennial (Ga.)
Sr., A (UNC)
David Sprock, Dallas Jesuit (Texas)
Sr., M (Rutgers)