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All-Long Island Boys Lax

Front row, from left: Nassau Coach of the Year Bob Hartranft (Farmingdale), Drew Thompson (Northport), Mike Rimmer (Half Hollow Hills East), John Adamo (Garden City), Michael Gongas (Comsewogue), Rob Ryan (Manhasset), Mark Warner (Shoreham-Wading River), Danny Loftus (Syosset). Back row, from left: Will Presti (Farmingdale), Steve Panarelli (Farmingdale), Matt Danowski (Farmingdale), Ricky Smith (Hicksville), Peter Trombino (St. AnthonyÂs), Brandon Logigian (Huntington), Michael Ward (Ward Melville), Preston Connell (West Islip), Suffolk Coach of the Year Bob Macaluso (Northport). (Photo by Joseph D. Sullivan)

The 15 boys lacrosse players who stood out on the fields of Nassau, Suffolk and CHSAA high schools this winter.

JOHN ADAMO
Garden City, Attack/Midfielder, Senior
Garden City coach Doc Dougherty has seen many players in his 30 years coaching, still he had this to say about Adamo: "One of the most complete players I have ever had." The five-year player and four-year starter contributed at both ends of the field for the Trojans. Adamo netted 50 goals this season (120 for his career) in leading Garden City to the Nassau Class B final, where the Trojans have played every year since 1997. He will play at Princeton.

PRESTON CONNELL
West Islip, Defender, Senior
Defenders are often overlooked, but it is impossible to miss the 6-2, 200-pound kid wearing No. 32. Connell's presence elevated West Islip to powerhouse status during his time as a three-year starter. The All-American and All-Long Island football player consistently overpowered the top attack on the opposition. He had 51 takeaways this season and scooped 71 groundballs through the Class A semifinals while marking the opposition's top attack. "He almost hovers over you," West Islip coach Scott Craig said. "He has quite a collection of checks, so you never know where his stick is coming from. You don't usually find a defender as skilled." He will play at Georgetown.

MATT DANOWSKI
Farmingdale, Attack, Senior
Danowski, a four-year starter, three-time All-American and Duke recruit, was the main offensive weapon on a championship team stacked with firepower. His numbers: 67 goals and 70 assists this season through the Nassau Class A championship game. And he rarely played in the fourth quarter. "He has been watching for so long, he picked up all of the nuances of the game," Farmingdale coach Bob Hartranft said. "He became some player." Danowski demonstrated a consistent presence that kept Farmingdale as the top-ranked team in the nation. He had seven goals and two assists in the Nassau Class A final, leading Farmingdale to its second straight title. Danowski became the school's all-time leader in career points with 338 heading into the Long Island championships. He is Hofstra coach John Danowski's son.

MICHAEL GONGAS
Comsewogue, Attack, Senior
Gongas is a pure finisher who wants the ball when the game comes down to crunch time. He played a critical role in leading Comsewogue to the 2002 state Class B title after he transferred in midseason from Commack. He had 48 goals and 43 assists during the regular season and finished with more than 250 career points. "He really had the leadership qualities that I was looking for," Comsewogue coach Pete Mitchell said. "He is a different style of a player, and, as a coach, you have to let him play his game because most of the time he was going to make something good happen." He will play at Massachusetts next year.

DANNY LOFTUS
Syosset, Goalie, Senior
Loftus, a two-time All-Long Island selection and a Duke recruit, became Nassau's all-time leader in saves with 1,132 in his career as a five-year starter. He made 31 stops in his last game, a loss in the Nassau Class A final. Loftus might be the player credited with lifting Syosset into powerhouse status following two straight years with semifinal appearances. Syosset advanced to the final for the first time in program history. Loftus also made his teammates especially his younger brother, Chris better by challenging every shot in practice regardless of distance or velocity. He gave up basketball to focus on lacrosse. "He never seems to play a bad game," Syosset coach John Calabria said. "He has always stepped up to the challenge, and he just loves to play lacrosse."

BRANDON LOGIGIAN
Huntington, Attack/Midfielder, Senior
Logigian's role is as hard to define as his name is to spell. Logigian was a versatile player who easily transitioned from midfield to attack in the same game. Huntington coach Paul McDermott simply said: "He helps us win." The All-American and three-time All-Suffolk selection received Huntington's Alumni Award for exemplifying character. Logigian, who will play at Harvard, had 32 goals and 33 assists during the regular season and led Huntington to the Class B semifinals, where it lost in overtime for the second straight season. "He is a great stick-handler, but he also had a great burst of speed," McDermott said. "Thank goodness he was on our side."

STEVE PANARELLI