Nassau boys lacrosse: Garden City reigns again
Harvard-bound senior Brian Fischer helps lead the Garden City defense. (File photo, 2009) Credit: Frank Koester
If you're looking for a discussion on the best team in Nassau, it's going to be hard to find many who will argue against Garden City. Ranked No. 3 nationally by Inside Lacrosse magazine, the Trojans are the undisputed power of Class B, having won the last four Nassau championships.
Juniors Stephen Jahelka and Brian Fischer, who are both headed to Harvard, lead the defense. Junior Tom Gordon (19 goals, six assists last season), who committed to Johns Hopkins, tops a deep midfield that includes sophomore Patric Berkery and seniors Matt Montgomery (Tufts) and Kevin Dachille. On attack, sophomore Devin Dwyer (23-29) is a feeder and scorer.
CLASS A
Hicksville, the defending county champs, returns senior defenseman James Lang, junior midfielder Brandon Gamblin (38-32) and junior attack Joe Leonard (38-38). The Comets are the team to chase, but there are other legitimate contenders.
At Farmingdale, midfielder Korey Hendrickson (21-9), and attacks Sal Tuttle (26-11) and Brian Prendergast (21-9) pace the offense. J.J. Ostrander and Keith Hadnagy lead the defense.
Fast-paced Baldwin has Jacksonville-bound Kyle Rebman (51-26), Troy Dennis (24-17), Max Malenowski (26-28) and faceoff man Billy Diegnan.
Oceanside brings back a playmaker in Chris Hughes (23-32) and a speedy midfield led by junior Nick Sherry.
Goalie Eric Schneider is Massapequa's standout, and the Chiefs have midfielders Rob Goeren (Bryant) and Ken Fundus (Adelphi). At Syosset, Doug Tesoriero (Cornell) is great on faceoffs and defender Alirio Demerieles (Yale) bears watching.
East Meadow and Port Washington will also try to be among the eight "A'' playoff teams.
CLASS B
Wantagh leads the list of challengers in Conference B-I. It returns a potent offense led by Brandon Mangan, junior Ryan Walsh (32-36) and junior midfielder Joe Stottler (26-26).
Division has a senior-laden group with attack Fred Mase (NYIT), midfielder Tom Duggan (NYIT), LSM Kyle Frenger (Molloy) and attack Cory Triola. At Long Beach, keep an eye on goalie Eddie Collins.
In B-II, Lynbrook and South Side are neck-and-neck as the favorites. For Lynbrook, senior Tom DeNapoli is a do-it-all player. Attack Alex Maini (26-19) returns as do defensemen Gregg Fraistat and Ralph Bilotta.
South Side has a scorer in Gavin Ahern and is strong on faceoffs with defenseman Greg Cove and midfielder Alex Doerflein (both headed to Binghamton). Midfielder Connor Waxon (Hofstra) and Bryan Gerrato (Navy) add depth.
Plainedge, led by midfielder Dylan Levings (Yale), and Hewlettl also likely will contend. Watch Bethpage and Glen Cove, led by Doug Tripp (51 goals).
CLASS C
Manhasset and Cold Spring Harbor have met in the Class C title game every season since 2004 and this year figures to be no different.
Manhasset, the defending state champ, graduated 21 seniors so it has a largely new group. But three-year starting midfielder Drew Belinsky (Penn), senior faceoff guru Ricky Buhr (Syracuse) and senior defenseman Kevin Coleman will be familiar.
Cold Spring Harbor, which won the county title three straight seasons before 2009, is led by senior midfielder Christian Kennedy (Georgetown), returning from an ACL injury suffered in the football season. Attacks Jack Wallice, a junior, and sophomore Sean Doyle are also key.
At Seaford, look for attack Billy Kempner, and also watch Floral Park midfielder Drew Viscusi (28-21).
