The upcoming August issue of Lacrosse Magazine includes LM’s annual season-end, top-25 high school boys’ and girls’ lacrosse rankings. Check back to laxmagazine.com over the next week as we count down to No. 1.

22. Worthington Kilbourne (Ohio)

Image Courtesy of SummitLax.com

In addition to having never won the Ohio championship before, there was also something else that WK had never done in its 17-year history — beat state power Upper Arlington. Well the Wolves (21-2) exorcised two demons in 2009, claiming their first state title and also beating UA. Twice. The second came in the state final as WK rallied from a third quarter deficit to win 7-6.

Read Original at http://www.laxmagazine.com/high_school/boys/2008-09/news/071609_rankings_20_25

Western Reserve Academy won the “A” Bracket Championship today with a 12-9 win over Worthington Kilbourne.

Check back soon for updated results from the entire weekend as well as the 2009 MSLCA All-Tournament Teams.

US Lacrosse National Senior Showcase Rosters Announced

BALTIMORE– US Lacrosse has announced the four team rosters for the 2009 National Senior Showcase, to be played June 20 at Bryant University near Providence, Rhode Island. The annual all-star game features outstanding senior boys high school players representing the North, South, East, and West regions of the country. The National Senior Showcase (NSS), sponsored by Warrior Lacrosse, is an annual offering of the US Lacrosse Men’s Division Coaches Council. Lacrosse players across the nation apply to be chosen for their regional team.

“We are very pleased to have 96 of the best high school seniors from all over the country playing in the sixth annual National Senior Showcase,” said Jody Martin, men’s division director at US Lacrosse. “We’d like to thank our High School Committee for their very diligent work in selecting these teams. As a truly national event, it exemplifies what US Lacrosse is all about and how much our game as grown. It is remarkable to have players from 66 regional areas in 33 states. It’s great when you can bring together the most talented players from emerging areas and traditional lacrosse hotbeds to share in an exciting weekend of lacrosse.”

The games kick-off at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, June 20 with North vs. West and South vs. East. The consolation game takes place at 1:00 p.m. followed by the championship game at 3:15 p.m. The 2009 NSS rosters are as follows (information is current as of May 13, 2009):

NORTH

Name              Pos. High School            Hometown            College/PG
Kam Bumpus         A   Needham                Needham, MA         Bridgton Acad.
John DePeters      A   The Taft School        Woodbury, CT        Brown
Brian Estes        A   Pinkerton Academy      Derry, NH           Endicott
Andrew Grombala    A   St. Xavier             Cincinnati, OH      Trinity
Lance Robinson     A   Gould Academy          Bridgeport, VT      Bellarmine
Matt Taylor        A   Fayetteville-Manlius   Manlius, NY         Cornell
Brendan Chin       M   Albany Academy         East Greenbush, NY  Le Moyne
Ben Herman         M   Proctor Academy        Brunswick, ME       New England
David Lawson       M   Middlesex School       Westford, MA        Duke
Steven Manning     M   The Rivers School      Tyngsboro, MA       Trinity
Michael Moran      M   Orchard Park           Buffalo, NY         Monroe
Timothy Reichert   M   Champlain Valley       Williston, VT       Trinity
Jacob Silberlicht  M   New Harford Senior     New Harford, NY     Hobart
Joshua Torres      M   Andover                Andover, MA         Providence
Michael Vulcano    M   Algonquin Regional     Northborough, MA    Cushing Acad.
Austin Wright      M   Worthington Kilbourne  Columbus, OH        Hofstra
Jackson Burrell    D   Greely                 Cumberland, ME      Springfield
Samuel Gardner     D   Phillips Exeter        Chelmsford, MA      Tufts
Kieran McDonald    D   Westminster School     Rye, NY             North Carolina
Jake Smith         D   Medfield               Medfield, MA        Massachusetts
Brett Tobin        D   Minnechaug Regional    Wilbraham, MA       Massachusetts
Griffin Vehar      D   Hudson                 Hudson, NY          Syracuse
Thomas Blackburn   G   Heuvelton Central      Ogdensburg, NY      Undecided
Chris Ilse         G   Vestal                 Vestal, NY          Seton Hill

Coaches
Shaun Stanton – Needham, MA – St. Sebastian’s School
Mike Vorgang – Niskayuna, NY – Niskayuna High School

SOUTH

Name               Pos. High School          Hometown            College/PG
Tucker Hull         A   Providence           Charlotte, NC       Navy Prep
Samuel Jones        A   Severna Park         Severna Park, MD    Navy
Benjamin Love       A   Winters Mill         Westminster, MD     Air Force
Robert Nugueras     A   St. Andrews          Parkland, FL        Trinity
Cody Walter         A   North Carroll        Hampstead, MD       Essex
Michael Ward        A   Howard               Ellicott City, MD   Bellarmine
Maxx Aiken          M   Camden Academy       Charlotte, NC       Undecided
Tyler Blevins       M   Heritage             Leesburg, VA        Greensboro
William Clary       M   Catonsville          Baltimore, MD       McDaniel
Andrew Cordia       M   St. Stephen's/Agnes  Alexandria, VA      Yale
Russell East        M   Heritage             Leesburg, VA        VMI
John Haus           M   Chapel Hill          Chapel Hill, NC     Maryland
Griffin Laurie      M   Lassiter             Marietta, GA        Massachusetts
Kory Lutes          M   Timber Creek         Orlando, FL         Pfeiffer
Shane McHugh        M   St. Andrews          Boca Raton, FL      Brown
Sean Price          M   Severna Park         Millersville, MD    Navy
Jacob Broome        D   Collegiate           Richmond, VA        Villanova
Michael Chernega    D   Providence Day       Charlotte, NC       Randolph-Macon
Roger Ferguson      D   St. Albans           Washington, DC      Brown
Steven Gombos       D   Chantilly            Centreville, VA     Maryland
Mark Jutkowitz      D   Thomas S. Wootton    Bethesda, MD        Maryland
Adrian Mohnacs      D   Potomac Senior       Woodbridge, VA      No. Virginia
Ryan Brant          G   DeMatha Catholic     Silver Spring, MD   Ohio State
Dan Curran          G   North Caroline       Greensboro, MD      Undecided

Coaches
Joe Conner – Ijamsville, MD – Urbana High School
Joe Monmomier – Bluffton, SC – Hilton High School

EAST

Name                Pos. High School        Hometown              College/PG
James Garry          A   Rye Country Day    Mamaroneck, NY        Dartmouth
Brandon Groux        A   Salesianum         Newark, DE            Salisbury
Will Mannie          A   St. Anthony's      Farmingdale, NY       Massachusetts
Joe Marasco          A   Somers             Yorktown Heights, NY  Syracuse
Nick O'Reilly        A   South Side         Rockville Centre, NY  Virginia
Erich Pfeffer        A   Glastonbury        Glastonbury, CT       Middlebury
Ian Braddish         M   West Islip         West Islip, NY        North Carolina
Mic DeBellis         M   Emmaus             Zionsville, PA        Siena
Jeff Froccaro        M   Paul D. Schreiber  Sands Point, NY       Princeton
Steven Murphy        M   William Floyd      Shirley, NY           Notre Dame
John Ranagan         M   Yorktown           Yorktown, NY          Johns Hopkins
Brenton Rotz         M   Seneca Valley      Cranberry Twp, PA     Mercyhurst
Benjamin Sternberg   M   North Kingston     North Kingston, RI    Bryant
Zander Walters       M   Bergen Catholic    Glen Ridge, NJ        North Carolina
Alexander White      M   Delbarton          Summit, NJ            Harvard
Drew Abatangelo      D   Valley Central     Montgomery, NY        Misericordia
Brennan Bicknese     D   Delbarton          Ridgewood, NJ         Georgetown
Patrick Kiernan      D   Ridgewood          Ridgewood, NJ         Navy
Michael McCormack    D   West Islip         West Islip, NY        Yale
Jim O'Neill          D   Chaminade          Huntington, NY        Duke
Jens Volinskie       D   Hershey            Hummelstown, PA       Penn State
Michael Bonitatibus  G   Yorktown           Yorktown, NY          Loyola
Travis Sandin        G   Colts Neck         Freehold, NJ          Norwich

Coaches
Bob Gilmore – Dover, DE – Poly Tech High School
Joe Ancona – Great River, NY – East Islip High School

WEST

Name               Pos. High School         Hometown            College/PG
Mike Fabrizio       A   Bountiful           Bountiful, UT       Brigham Young
Ross Gillum         A   Plano Senior        Plano, TX           Cornell
Andreas Haglund     A   Chaparral           Scottsdale, AZ      Arizona State
Ryan Hanners        A   Legacy              Las Vegas, NV       Denver
Stew Kerr           A   Lake Forest         Lake Forest, IL     Middlebury
Nick Troll          A   De Smet Jesuit      St. Louis, MO       Endicott
Alex Williams       A   Timberline          Boise, ID           Chapman
Chase Carrarro      M   St. Xavier          Louisville, KY      Denver
James Cupo          M   McCallie            Chattanooga, TN     Presbyterian
Hayden Dixon        M   Legacy              Las Vegas, NV       Undecided
Jordan Goldstein    M   Issaquah            Bellevue, WA        Arizona
Barry Hillyer       M   Memphis U. School   Memphis, TN         Jacksonville
Justin McGinnis     M   Cathedral           Fishers, IN         Westminster Sch.
Patrick Murray      M   Kent Denver         Denver, CO          Georgetown
Conrad Schmidt      M   Regis Jesuit        Franktown, CO       Bates
Sam Snow            M   Bainbridge          Bainbridge Is., WA  Fairfield
Patrick Hagan       D   Judge Memorial      Salt Lake City, UT  Undecided
Nathan Hunt         D   Breck               Plymouth, MN        Undecided
Torben Noto         D   Oregon Episcopal    Portland, OR        Bates
James Rundle        D   Carmel              Carmel, IN          Ball State
Cody Solaja         D   Episcopal School    Dallas, TX          Hofstra
Jacob Wynn          D   New Trier Township  Wilmette, IL        St. Lawrence
Nick Carrasco       G   El Toro             Lake Forest, CA     Canisius
Alexander Gradecki  G   Marquette Univ.     Germantown, WI      Wisconsin

Coaches
Scott Howe – Louisville, KY – St. Xavier
David Allen – Salt Lake City, UT – Judge Memorial Catholic

Read Original at http://www.laxpower.com/laxnews/news.php?story=15455

InsideLacrosse.com released their updated Regional and National Rankings.  The Top 5 teams in the Midwest Region are from the MSLCA.

Midwest
1. Western Reserve Academy (Ohio) (15-4)
2. Brother Rice (Mich.) (14-1)
3. Worthington Kilbourne (Ohio) (11-1)
4. Upper Arlington (Ohio) (11-1)
5. Thomas Worthington (Ohio) (12-1)
6. New Trier (Ill.) (11-1)
7. Glenbrook South (Ill.) (10-1)
8. Dublin Jerome (Ohio) (9-3)
9. Hudson (Ohio) (8-2)
10. Lake Forest (Ill.) (10-1)

Read Original article at InsideLacrosse.com – http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/05/07/inside-lacrosse-high-school-regional-rankings-may-7/

Worthington Kilbourne head coach Mike Riffee talks with Inside Lacrosse’s Terry Foy about the Wolves’ landmark 10-8 win over Upper Arlington on April 29.

Podcast Posted at Inside Lacrosse: http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/04/30/midwest-region-high-school-lacrosse-notebook-chat-with-worthington-kilbourne-coach-mike-riffee/

By Eric S. Smith

There are some great regular-season games in the northern half of the Midwest region, but in Louisiana the postseason is here. In Shreveport, they will crown the first ever Louisiana High School Lacrosse League champion. Winning extends the season and losing only makes the summer come faster.

May 1

Brother Rice Warriors, MI (State Power Rating: 99.05 Rank: 1) vs. Worthington Kilbourne Wolves, OH (State PR: 99.20 Rank: 1)

The last time these two teams met back in 2007, it was all Warriors. This time around could be very different. Both teams have loads of talent on both ends of the field. The Warriors are led by middie Dan Henneghan and attackman Nick Dolik on the offensive end as those two have helped the Warriors average 13.3 goals per game. On the other end, not much gets by All-American goalie T.J. Yost.

The Wolves have the talent to challenge Yost and the defense. Pat Riffee, Drew Roper and Austin Wright can all get to the goal and score seemingly at will. Also, defender Lucas Wood and his mates will be responsible for Henneghan, Dolik and company. Kilbourne will be playing at home, but only two days after playing rival Upper Arlington. Fresh legs may be a major factor in this one.

May 6

Cincinnati St. Xavier Bombers, OH (State PR: 95.91 Rank: 6) vs. Cincinnati Sycamore Aves, OH (State PR: 94.29 Rank: 10)

The Bombers have owned the Aves win five wins in four years. St. Xavier will attempt to prevail once again in this crosstown rivalry, and will likely rely on the midfield to get it done. Robert Strife, Robert Brill and Michael Fitzpatrick are all talented and have success playing on both ends of the field.

Stopping this talented trio will fall into the hands of Michael Guthrie and the rest of the defense. On the offensive end of the field, Sycamore averages 10 goals per game and is led by Joe McLaughlin and Blake Johns. Winning supremacy in Cincinnati will not be easy, but it should provide a great show for fans.

Dublin Jerome Celtics, OH (State PR: 96.49 Rank: 5) vs. Thomas Worthington Cardinals, OH (State PR: 97.54 Rank: 3)

Great individual match-ups will be on display in this game. The Celtics have defeated the Cardinals in the last three seasons, but Thomas Worthington will attempt to turn that around. Cardinals attacker Trevon Cleveland has averaged 4.6 points per game and will be guarded by the Celtics’ Erik Flexer in one of the marquee match-ups. In the other, Thomas Worthington’s Syracuse-bound defender Kyle Carey should have his hands full with Jerome’s Hopkins-bound attacker, Eric Ruhl.

Both teams have goalies that are very equal in talent with Ian Burkhart for Jerome and Stephen Ford for Worthington. So those individual matchups will be magnified, and whichever guy can get the better of his adversary will certainly get his team closer to victory.

Read Original – http://eepurl.com/-HO

By Eric S. Smith at Laxpower.com

Some of the warm-weather states in the Midwest are winding down as the playoffs pick up, while in the northern half of the region, teams are fighting for playoff position. The players are responding with breakout performances. Highlighting this week is a Texas goalie who put his team on his back and carried them to victory. Also an Illinois middie and an Ohio attackman played major roles in key wins for their teams.

Cory Spencer, Junior, Attack, Worthington Kilbourne Wolves, OH

The Wolves notched yet another win as they blitzed Hilliard Davidson, 15-6. Spencer netted as many goals (six) as the entire Wildcats’ offense. The junior helped keep Kilbourne on the unbeaten track, but he and the rest of the offense will get its stiffest test of the season as they battle the five-time defending state champions, Upper Arlington.

Austin Black, Sr., Goalie, Plano Wildcats, TX

The Wildcats knew they would be playing this coming week in the 4 vs. 5 first-round game in the Texas High School Lacrosse League North District playoffs. They also knew they would be playing Dallas Jesuit. But because of last week’s 8-7 win over Jesuit, Plano will host the postseason meeting. The biggest reason the Wildcats will garner home-field advantage was Black and his play between the pipes. The senior made 19 saves against the Rangers and made up for a 37-19 shooting disadvantage. Black may need to stand on his head again in the playoffs, and if the Wildcats can’t prevail this time, their season will be over.

Taylor Hess, Sr., Midfielder, Hinsdale Central Red Devils, IL

The Red Devils scored a major win over Wheaton-Warrenville South, 7-6. Hess became the hero as registered the game-winning-goal with 1:22 left in regulation. That tally was the second of the game for the senior. He was also a pivotal force on the face-off circle where he won nine of his 12 attempts. Hess will need to have another big week as the Red Devils have two contests, including one against a solid Glenbrook North team.

Read Original – http://eepurl.com/7tu

Inside Lacrosse released their updated National and Regional Rankings.  Nationally, Worthington Kilbourne is up to #15 and Upper Arlington is climbed to #17.  In the Regional Rankings the MSLCA is still well represented.

National Rankings: http://eepurl.com/ZG2

Regional Rankings: http://eepurl.com/ZG5

Eric Smith at Laxpower.com releasesed the Midwest Games of the Week. There are a number of MSLCA teams represented this week. Check it out:

April 11

Culver Academy Eagles, IN (State PR: 91.90 Rank: 2) vs. Western Reserve Academy Pioneers, OH (State PR: 97.40 Rank: 9)

This game should be a great cross-state showdown with two of the best teams from their respective states. They met in 2006 and 2007 with the Pioneers easily winning both times, but this Culver team may be very dangerous. The Eagles feature a potent three-headed monster on attack with Thomas Ott, Chris Lowans and Brandon Benn. The three attackmen have combined for 73 points already on the young season.

Fortunately for Western Reserve, stopping high-powered offenses is nothing new. The Pioneers have battled numerous top-notch Maryland teams and have given each one a run for its money. Goalie Kyle Bernlohr and defenseman Jack Rogan headline a defense has been strongly tested and is now riding a four-game winning streak. Whichever talented unit, either the Eagles’ offense or the Pioneers’ defense, can win that battle will give its team a leg up.
April 15

Dublin Scioto Irish, OH (State PR: 97.97 Rank: 6) vs. Worthington Kilbourne Wolves, OH (State PR: 97.68 Rank: 7)

In the 2006 regular season, the Irish topped the Wolves, but since then Kilbourne has won four straight over Scioto. This season, the Irish have played in mostly tight games. Three of their four games this far have been decided by a goal, and Scioto is 2-1 in those games. Plus, the Irish are 2-0 in overtime affairs. Scioto depends heavily upon standout goalie A.J. Levelle to make difficult saves in the close games. Plus, attackman Aaron Taylor has been a key on the offensive end. Both players will be crucial if the Irish hope to keep this game close.

The Wolves have mounds of talent and have been putting it on display in this young season, outscoring opponents 38-19. Worthington Kilbourne has five seniors that are headed to Division I next year. Attacker Pat Riffee and middies Kevin Mack, Drew Roper and Austin Wright should keep Levelle busy in his cage. Defender Lucas Wood will likely be the Wolves’ answer to Taylor on the other end. All in all, the Wolves talent may be too much to handle.

Upper Arlington Bears, OH (State PR: 98.96 Rank: 2) vs. Dublin Coffman Shamrocks, OH (State PR: 96.14 Rank: 12)

The Bears have owned the Shamrocks, beating them five times in the last four years. The Bears have been king in the Buckeye State winning the last five state titles and this year’s team may have the talent to make it six. Upper Arlington is balanced with fantastic players on both ends of the field. On offense, it is led by attacker Alex Drake, while defender Phil Gross holds down the other end of the field.

The Shamrocks had a rocky start by dropping their first two games; albeit, their opponents were two very talented teams in Archbishop Spalding (MD) and Loyola-Blakefield (MD). But since then, Coffman has pulled to .500 with two straight wins. In this very difficult test they may look to middie Matthew Mack. The Shamrocks would certainly make a huge splash if they knock off the Bears, but that’s no easy task.

Read Original Stroy at Laxpower.com: http://eepurl.com/VEc

Baltimore, MD – Welcome to the first in-season update of the Under Armour/Inside Lacrosse High School Power Rankings. Things have gotten off to something of a slow start as only eight teams currently in the top 25 have seen action, and Gilman’s impressive win over Landon last Friday has kept them atop the charts.

But for three teams, the early season wasn’t so kind as Haverford, Garden City and St. Anne’s-Belfield all suffered tough early season losses and dropped out of the power rankings.  Worthington Kilbourne and Upper Arlington still remain at their respective spots at #17 and #20.

Back again are the Regional Rankings, taking a look at the 10 best squads from around the country.  The MSLCA is still well represented with 5 out of the Top 10 teams.

1. Gilman (Md.) (1-0)

Previous: 1. Beat Landon, 12-5. Next: Today vs. Georgetown Prep

2. La Salle (Pa.) (0-0)

Previous: 2. Next: Saturday @ Conestoga.

3. West Islip (N.Y.) (0-0)

Previous: 3. Next: 4/2 @ Massapequa.

4. Mountain Lakes (N.J.) (0-0)

Previous: 5. Next: 4/1 @ Bergen Catholic.

5. Syosset (N.Y.) (1-0)

Previous: 6. Beat Garden City 6-3. Next: Monday vs. Cold Spring Harbor.

6. West Genesee (N.Y.) (0-0)

Previous: 7. Next: Tuesday vs. Irondequoit.

7. Delbarton (N.J.) (0-0)

Previous: 8. Next: 4/1 @ Summit.

8. Georgetown Prep (Md.) (4-0)

Previous: 9. Beat Brophy Prep 11-2, Rockhurst Jesuit 18-2, Regis Jesuit 13-1, Loyola Academy 12-1. Next:

Today @ Gilman.

9. Calvert Hall (Md.) (0-1)

Previous: 4. Lost to Hill Academy 14-11. Next: Saturday vs. Malvern Prep.

10. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) (0-0)

Previous: 10. Next: Wednesday vs. St. Dominic.

11. LaFayette (N.Y.) (0-0)

Previous: 11. Next: 4/1 @ Jamesville-DeWitt.

12. Saint Andrew’s (Fla.) (12-0)

Previous: 12. Beat Gulliver Prep 16-6. Next: Tomorrow vs. Kinkaid.

13. Manhasset (N.Y.) (0-0)

Previous: 14. Next: Wednesday vs. Sayville.

14. Malvern Prep (Pa.) (0-0)

Previous: Unranked. Next: Saturday @ Calvert Hall.

15. Duxbury (Mass.) (0-0)

Previous: 15. Next: 4/2 @ Hanover.

16. Kent Denver (Colo.) (2-0)

Previous: 16. Beat Arapahoe 8-7. Next: 4/7 vs. George Washington.

17. Worthington Kilbourne (Ohio) (0-0)

Previous: 17. Next: 4/1 vs. Dublin Jerome.

18. St. Paul’s (Md.) (2-0)

Previous: 19. Beat Haverford 13-12 in overtime, Collegiate School 10-8. Next: Today vs. Norfolk Academy.

19. Boys’ Latin (Md.) (2-0)

Previous: 23. Beat St. Anne’s-Belfield 17-5, Collegiate School 12-6. Next: Saturday vs. Hill School.

20. Upper Arlington (Ohio) (0-0)

Previous: 20. Next: 4/1 @ Hilliard Darby.

21. Yorktown (N.Y.) (0-0)

Previous: 21. Next: 3/31 vs. North Rockland.

22. Darien (Conn.) (0-0)

Previous: 22. Next: 4/8 vs. Staples-Westport.

23. Lawrenceville (N.J.) (0-0)

Previous: 24. Next: 3/28 vs. Choate.

24. Chaminade (N.Y.) (0-0)

Previous: Unranked. Next: Tuesday vs. Massapequa.

25. Ward Melville (N.Y.) (0-0)

Previous: Unranked. Next: 4/1 vs. Sayville.

Dropped Out

Haverford (Pa.) (1-1)

Previous: 13. Beat Loyola 5-4 in overtime, lost to St. Paul’s 13-12 in overtime.

Garden City (N.Y.) (0-1)

Previous: 18. Lost to Syosset 6-3.

St. Anne’s-Belfield (Va.) (0-1)

Previous: 25. Lost to Boys’ Latin 17-5.