May 5, 2005
Thursday High School Notebook
Some boy's high school playoff races are complete, some are just about to conclude and others are just heating up. We'll take a look at some of those states in this week's High School Notebook:
Arizona
As expected, the two giants of the desert will roll into the championship game at Scottsdale Community College at 9 p.m. on Friday when Chaparral (14-0) and Chandler (13-2) meet for the second time this season. Chandler will be hoping for a better result than the first battle on Feb. 23 when Chaparral hung an 18-8 lashing on the Wolves. Chandler will hope to slow down Jeff Stroupe, who is averaging 7.29 points per game - over two points more than any other player in the state. The Firebirds will have to contend with four Chandler players ranked in the Top 8 in scoring, led by Abel Haro with 4.21 points per game.
California
In a state divided into a North and South region, some traditional and new faces are showing up as the season winds down. In the North, typically strong teams like Monte-Vista Danville (12-5) and St. Ignatius Prep (15-5) are near the top of the heap, but fresh faces such as San Ramon Valley (15-1) and Menlo (17-1) have emerged. San Ramon has defeated St. Ignatius and De La Salle (11-5) already and has a rematch with MVD on Friday in hopes of avenging its only loss. Menlo hasn't played the toughest of schedules, but has defeated S.I. twice and narrowly lost to arguable the state's best team, La Costa Canyon, 7-3. LCC (17-0) looked impressive at the First 4 and has continued, dominating the San Diego CIF and has yet to allow nine goals this season. Both Coronado (14-3) and Torrey Pines (11-5) have stayed within two goals of LCC and will look for another crack at the title in the upcoming playoffs.
Colorado
The 24-team bracket for the boy's state playoffs has been announced and there are several teams capable of raising the trophy this spring. Six teams from each of the four divisions have been seeded and the top seeds include Kent Denver (9-3), Regis (13-1), Cherry Creek (11-2) and Golden (12-2). Regis appears to be the front-runner at this point after claiming a win over Kent and posting its only loss against Loyola of the MIAA, 12-6. The first round of the tournament begins on May 7 and continues to May 20, when the championship will settled at All-City Stadium.
Connecticut
Still plenty of action left in the Nutmeg State's regular season and too many games left to get a firm grasp of the contenders. We do know that Darien will be in the hunt after the Blue Wave has raced out to a 10-0 start, including an 8-4 decision over another potential player, Wilton (7-3). Simsbury (7-2) and Branford are also looking strong at the midway point.
Delaware
There are four undefeated teams still left in Delaware, led by Caesar Rodney's 12-0 record, but that mark will be put to the test on Monday when they face Tower Hill (9-0) on Monday. Dover (11-0) and Middletown (11-0) have also raced out to fast starts and should be the hunt for a crown after the regular season finishes up in mid-May. The state tournament will begin on May 21 and finish up on May 28.
Florida
St. Andrew's (21-3) from the South and Winter Park (18-4) from the Central will tangle on Saturday to determine the Sunshine State champion. St. Andrew's has just one in-state blemish on its record and managed to upend Gulliver Prep (18-3), 8-7 in overtime to advance to the title game. Winter Park stumbled a little bit before the playoffs, but rebounded with an impressive, 16-10, victory over Bishop Moore (15-3), a team that had defeated the Wildcats a month before.
Georgia
The two top teams in the state all year will square off in the Georgia championship game this Saturday when Lovett (17-1) meets up with Lassiter (17-2). Lassiter lost to a pair of Tennessee teams during the season, but otherwise handled all of the in-state competition, including handing Lovett its only loss of the season on Mar. 26, 11-6.
Idaho
With two weeks remaining in the regular season, Timberline (11-1) has raced out to an impressive start, with their only loss coming to Eagle (7-3) in the first game of the season. Centennial (10-1) has also posted some impressive numbers this spring.
Illinois
Still long ways to go to find a champion in Illinois, but several programs have separated themselves from the pack. New Trier (11-1), Lake Forest (8-1) and Lyons Township (11-1) are three teams will only one loss on the docket so far. New Trier will receive a stiff test this afternoon when it plays Glenbrook South (8-2).
Massachusetts
As is getting to be the norm in Division I lacrosse action in the Bay State, Duxbury has risen to the top with a 12-1 mark and the only loss coming to Niskayuna of New York. Defense has been getting it done for the Dragons, as they have held opponents to three goals or fewer in eight of their 14 games. Billerica (8-1) and North Quincy (7-2) have posted solid records so far, but all roads to the title will run through Duxbury.
Missouri
MICDS and Christian Brothers met in the championship game last year and MICDS (8-2) is on pace to make a return visit although CBC (5-6) has struggled a little bit this year. DeSmet (13-5) and Rockhurst (12-4) were both semifinalists last year and will look to make the leap to the title tilt in 2005.
Utah
The Utah High School Lacrosse League will begin the state playoffs on May 14 with the first round and conclude on May 21 and this state is top-heavy with numerous solid programs vying for the championship. Juan Diego (10-2), Bingham (11-3) and Skyline (9-2) all have impressive resumes.
