USA Lacrosse High School Boys' Players of the Week

The USA Lacrosse Players of the Week recognize the most outstanding individual performances in high school girls’ lacrosse in each of the five regions — Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, Midwest and West — outlined in our high school coverage.

NORTHEAST

Chris Gaine, Brunswick School (Conn.)

Chris Gaine has a great sense of raising his level to match the magnitude of the moment. Case in point, the senior who is on the Brunswick School second midfield line played arguably his best lacrosse of the season to help the Bruins win the inaugural Prep Nationals in his final high school games.

In the semifinals, Gaine had three goals in an 11-7 win over Salisbury School (Conn.) as the Bruins avenged their lone loss of the season. He was also instrumental in a 12-6 championship win over Lawrenceville (N.J.), scoring four goals and picking up three ground balls on the weekend.

“With all the fire power between all four teams, Gaine played his final two games in a Brunswick uniform like a man on a mission,” Brunswick School coach David Bruce said. “He was the star of our semifinal game against Salisbury and had another strong performance in the championship against Lawrenceville.”

Also notable: Henry Dodge, Staples (Conn.); Andrew Girolamo, Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.); Jackson Greene, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.); Michael Ippoliti, St. Dominic (N.Y.); Matthew Minicus, Darien (Conn.); Michael Oronzio, Byram Hills (N.Y.); Danny Shaban, Joel Barlow (Conn.)

— Dylan Butler

MID-ATLANTIC

Brendan Millon, McDonogh (Md.)

The freshman attack missed most of the season with an injury, but the final games of his first year of high school won’t ever be forgotten. Millon scored as the final buzzer sounded for an 11-10 win over defending champion Boys’ Latin (Md.) in the MIAA A Conference semifinals. Three days later, he had a hat trick as the Eagles won their first MIAA A crown since 2016 with a 14-8 win over St. Mary’s (Md.) at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Millon helped McDonogh pull away with a goal after St. Mary’s had closed within 6-4 in the third quarter.

Also notable: Brayton Bellafiore, Unionville (Pa.); Tyler Grove, St. John’s Catholic Prep (Md.); Caleb Haire, Archbishop Curley (Md.); Koleton Marquis (N.J.); Will McCulloch, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.); AJ Nikolic, Malvern (Pa.); Jack Pilling, La Salle (Pa.); Zack Overend, St. Mary’s (Md.); Keegan Ryan, Mt. Hebron (Md.)

— Justin Feil

SOUTH

Collin Patrick, Middle Creek (N.C.)

Collin Patrick, a 2023 Marist commitment, led the way for Middle Creek with a goal and four assists in the Mustangs’ dramatic 10-9 win over Weddington (N.C.) in the state championship. The junior attacker assisted Tate Jones on the game-winner with 10 seconds left. Patrick also added a pair of goals in the state semifinal.

Also notable: Tate Jones, Middle Creek (N.C.)

— Justin Boggs

MIDWEST

Ethan Crowe, St. Xavier (Ky.)

As good as Trevor Havill was in scoring five goals for the Tigers in their state championship game victory, it's impossible to ignore the impact of Crowe, who filled in admirably for the injured Bryce Moad in the cage. Crowe came up especially big in holding Sacred Heart (Ky.) to a single goal in the second half, including a few clutch saves as part of a scoreless third quarter back when the Tigers were still clinging to a 7-5 advantage.

Also notable: Mac Boike, Forest Hills Central (Mich.); Trevor Havill, St. Xavier (Ky.); Mark Mintzlaff, MICDS (Mo.); John Tomsheck, Forest Hills Central (Mich.); Nate Zoldesy, St. Ignatius (Ohio)

— Jonah Rosenblum

WEST

Andrew Cook, Torrey Pines (Calif.)

The sophomore goalie came up big for the Falcons in the final four as they repeated as San Diego Open champions. In a 12-11 double overtime win over La Costa Canyon (Calif.) in the semifinals, Cook recorded 14 saves to keep his team in the game before Blake Washburn’s winner. Then, in the final, Cook made 18 saves to preserve a 10-5 win over Bishops School (Calif.).

Also notable: Jon King, Corner Canyon (Utah); Fletcher Sullivan, Regis Jesuit (Colo.); Ian Thompson, Arapahoe (Colo.); Blake Washburn, Torrey Pines (Calif.)