Boys Lacrosse Preview

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With two teams that made state title games last year and two others that were in their respective playoffs, the county boys lacrosse circuit is breeding tough competition. Those four teams are vying for supremacy this spring.

Severna Park

Moving from Class 4A to Class 3A did not slow Severna Park’s dominance in 2022. The Falcons cemented their status as one of the elite teams statewide when they won their sixth-consecutive state title and a state-record 11th title overall.

The top four scorers from the 2022 team were seniors. With a strong pipeline of talent, the Falcons hope to offset the losses of attackers Jouquin Villagomez and Nolan Zborai, midfielder Parker Sealey and defender Bryce Stevenson, among others.

“Anytime you win a championship, a lot of things have to go right,” said Severna Park boys lacrosse head coach Dave Earl. “With the experience of achieving our goals, we want to keep getting better every day.”

Coming off a campaign in which he had 113 saves, Ashby Shepherd will man the goal. Ryan LaRocque scored 16 goals last season and expects to build off that performance.

Earl also anticipates big contributions from Talan Livingston and Kevin Bredeck.

“Kevin started out playing offense for us but was a defensive midi last year,” Earl said. “He’s going to have to play some offense for us this year, and so far through practice, he’s looking pretty good.”

Defensively, the Falcons won’t tinker with the winning formula. Earl expects some changes to the offense.

“Anytime you change players, you should adjust the offense around personnel,” he said. “We’re still trying to figure out our offense. Our big question is at attack. Nolan Grizzle should be in the mix.”

Not only will Severna Park face its regular slate of county opponents, but the team is also scheduled to play Landon, from Bethesda, Maryland, and participate in a state championship rematch with Mount Hebron.

“We want to develop these kids to be young men who make a positive difference in the world, and if we can do that, everything else should follow,” Earl said.

Broadneck

By almost any measure, the Bruins had a stellar season in 2022 as they went 16-4 and won their regional championship. They reached all their goals but one, falling to Winston Churchill, 15-7, in the Class 4A state championship.

Head coach Jeffrey McGuire believes that experience will help this year’s group.

“Our four losses last year were under the bright lights,” McGuire said, pointing to losses against St. Mary’s and Severn School in the Public vs. Private Challenge, Severna Park in the county championship and Winston Churchill in the state finals. “For all of these guys who are returning, the best preparation for 2023 is 2022.”

McGuire believes he has a strong core despite the loss of two graduates and All-County athletes: attackman Davis Fisher and defender Nate Levicki. Midfielder Tyler Hicks made big strides last year, as did Jackson Shaw, who finished as the team’s second-leading scorer. Tanner Boone rounds out the midfield.

“Davis [Fisher] was the heart and soul of the team,” McGuire said. “Now we have six guys who can contribute.

“Nate was a really smart player,” he added. “He studied other teams’ attackmen, and we’re hoping some of the younger guys learn from his example.”

This is McGuire’s first class of seniors that he’s coached since they were freshmen. The boys have bought into the program, he said, allowing them to play up-tempo and excel at pushing the ball in transition.

Their chemistry will come in handy as the Bruins play a tough schedule that includes defending state champion Kent Island, state semifinalists Sherwood and Catonsville, and in conference, another state champion in Severna Park. McGuire is not daunted, though. The 2022 slate also had its share of formidable opponents.

“We had Hereford, who won [Class] 2A, Kent Island were runners-up and Urbana were 3A champs the last year,” McGuire said. “We’re fortunate to have Severna Park in our county. We want to play the best all of the time. I think the best lacrosse is being played around the Annapolis area.”

Severn School

The Admirals kicked off the season with two wins, 13-8 against St. Albans and 9-6 over Landon. Led by head coach Joe Christie, Severn School is looking to improve upon last season’s 10-8 record, which culminated in a 12-9 loss to Calvert Hall in the MIAA quarterfinals.

All-County midfielder Justin Queen graduated, but Severn School has part of its nucleus intact with attacker Jacob Todd and faceoff specialist Reid Gills.

Archbishop Spalding

Archbishop Spalding finished with a 12-5 record in 2022, with their season ending in a 11-10 loss to McDonogh in the MIAA quarterfinals.

Gone are three of the team’s All-County athletes — attacker Race Ripley, midfielder Nick Gutierrez and defender Alex Ross.

“They not only won us some games, but they changed the culture along with the 2021 class,” head coach Brian Phipps said, adding that some of their lessons made an impression on the younger guys. “Rather than hoping or wanting, they know they have to meet the standard that’s been set.”

The Cavaliers elected midfielder Jameson Coffman as a captain, and Phipps expects big things from both him and defender Logan Meighan. Several other players will need to step up to keep Spalding at the top of the standings.

Two big tests will come early with Hill Academy on March 16 and Bullis School on March 24. The schedule also includes games against McDonogh (March 31), Boys’ Latin (April 22), Severn School (April 25), Calvert Hall (May 2) and St. Mary’s (May 4).

“Last year, we relied on a top-heavy offense with our guys,” Phipps said. “This year will be more by committee, and I think you will see more spread-out scoring.”

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