Yorktown Seeks Return to Prominence, Mahopac has Firepower

N.West./Putnam Lax Teams Will be Challenged Throughout Section 1 in 2022

By Ray Gallagher, Examiner Sports Editor @Directrays

Nobody in their right mind could have predicted three-straight Section 1 championship losses for seven-time NYS and 40-time Section 1 champion YORKTOWN High dating back to 2018, but that is indeed the dry spell first-year Yorktown Coach Tim Schurr is hoping to end for his alma mater. Schurr, who orchestrated two of those two championship setbacks in 2018-19 as the former John Jay CR boss, now inherits a blueblood program that will live and die in an attempt to stop what is widely considered a freefall in and about the streets of Yorktown, despite appearing in 41 straight title games.

Schurr, a fixture on Section 1 sidelines the last three decades, has been a winner, whether it be at Somers, where he and Jim Donohue orchestrated the Tusker heydays from 2000-07 (five sectional titles), or John Jay CR, where he and now Husker-assistant Jeremy Guski, took Jay to unprecedented levels. Coming home, where he once coached as an assistant under legendary Husker Coach Jim Turnbull, was a no-brainer for the former All-World long pole.

The Cornhusker faithful are getting ancy, though, praying that Schurr can restore the luster, hoping that he can push the nuclear button on the rest of Class B. Morale is said to be kite-high at Yorktown this spring. But the fact of the matter is: Class B is absolutely loaded, so Yorktown is anything but a lock to end the skid that has the collective Cornhusker lax family scratching its head. The classification includes defending champion Rye, which knocked the Huskers off last year, 11-7, and returns a ton of talent across the field, including five of its six All-Section honorees. Most coaches were quick to put the Garnets at the top of the class for 2022, and most, in a candid moment, would admit the Garnets are the favorites to rep in the state tourney.

Yorktown does have some star power in the lineup, including  U.S. Lacrosse All-American senior A/M Harry Griff (26G, 28A, 54), senior D Dino Bowen, senior G Vito DeBellis, senior M Sava Makarenko, All-Section senior D Giacomo Micciari, senior M Justin Meyreles, senior M Jay Fastiggi and sophomore A Jack Duncan. But will it be enough to dethrone Rye? That’s the million dollar question that Schurr, his talented assistants, Griff and company need to figure out as April turns to May, when sectional titles are won and lost: Class B and C (May 26), Class A and D (May 27). Times change, but nobody within the Yorktown lax familia was prepared for what’s happened since 2018. Restoration is essential, if not critical, so welcome aboard, Coach Schurr #NoPressure!

LAKELAND/PANAS is as well coached as any team in the section, and they are itching for another crack at the title after falling in the semis a year ago. Since the L/P merger, it was the first time Coach Jim Lindsay’s five-time champion Rebels failed to reach the finals since 2015, when MAHOPAC made its last appearance in a 13-12 OT Class A loss to Mamaroneck.

Lindsay lost a bunch to graduation but is poised to coach up potential stars like senior M Nick Connetta, senior A Nick Graap (31G, 21A, 52) and senior M Chris Macalusso, who will drop down to Class B this spring. In-game adjustments are what Coach Lindsay is all about. He’ll need to be atop his game this season if the Rebels are to explore a sectional title experience in a fully loaded Class B.

Coach Jon Bota’s Mahopac Indians are also in Class B this season, along with nine other challengers, and figure to make a strong run to the Final 4 at the very least. It’s been 11 years since nine-time sectional and one-time NYS champion Mahopac hoisted a sectional title plaque (2011), and Coach Bota was a key member of that particular club, so he knows what it takes to represent the section in the state tournament, as does his assistant, Mike Haddeland, a member of the ‘96 state champs. The Indians have star power, plenty of it in players like Jake Degnan (31G, 20A, 51), Chris Evans (68% face-off edge), Army-bound Ryan Harney (63 points), Danny Koch (21G, 19A, 40) and Monmouth-bound senior D Sean Massett… all proven commodities. Keep eyes on junior M Gavin Viglucci, who has six goals and three assists in the Indians’ first two wins this season.

But it’s been over a decade since Mahopac put it all together with guys like Bota and Anthony Berardis leading the way. Just got a gut feeling these 2020 Indians can contend, provided junior G Tommy Jacobellis can stand tall between the pipes #KidIsKey and the poles hold up.

“Tommy is going to have a huge season and we’ve got unfinished business to take care of,” said Massett, who has All-American potential. “Depth won’t be an issue. We’ve got some key guys making their return to the sport. We can’t wait to get started.”

There was a time when you could pencil in all three – Yorktown, Mahopac and L/P – to be among the last two standing, and a period in time when second fiddle was unacceptable for all, but the game has grown exponentially since the Northern Westchester/Putnam golden era, which dates back to the ‘70’s for Yorktown and the 90’s for places like Mahopac and Lakeland/Panas. The rest of Section 1 has caught up and recently passed the legendary trio, and, truth be told, programs like Class D BRIARCLIFF, which is led by former Lakeland All-American Alfredo Meola, is Section 1’s best hope for a state title in 2022 with a handful of potential All-Americans in the Bears’ den. Good luck to those Class D hopefuls in Briarcliff’s path this spring #NoChance! There was a time before Meola took over when Briarcliff meant nothing to Section 1 lacrosse. Just goes to show: you put the right guy in charge, anything’s possible.

Class A CARMEL won its first playoff game in history last year and returns an up-and-coming star in super soph Matt Risley, who dumped 46 goals between the pipes and set up 24 more as a fresh-faced frosh, but the Rams lost a bunch to graduation and have to contend with the likes of perennial power Mamaroneck and defending champion Scarsdale to get to the mountaintop, not to mention improving Dutchess County programs like Arlington and Wappingers, both league rivals. Yorktown and Mahopac are also in that league, so wins will be tough for Carmel to come by.

Others in Class C with star power include HEN HUD junior M Dean Hiltsley, who went for 36G and 9A, and PUTNAM VALLEY senior A Ryan Denike, who coolly lit up Section 1 for 84 points last year as the quarterback of the Tiger attack. Class B SOMERS is hoping for a star-studded campaign from Muhlenberg-bound senior M T.J. Olifers and All-Section senior G Hunter Stevenson. In Class D, watch out for Haldane’s Evan Giachinta (18G, 27A, 45) and anyone in a Briarcliff uniform.

Saddle up, folks, pray for a warm spring, and we’ll see you on local lax greens week in and week out.

LAKELAND/PANAS

Coach: Jim Lindsay, 17th year

Last Year: 9-4, lost in semis

Top Returning Players: Sr. A Nick Graap; Sr. M Nick Conetta; Sr. M Chris Macalusso

Key Newcomers: TBD

Next Level: Graap (Endicott), Macalusso (Cortland), Conetta (St. Leo)

Leading Scorers: Graap, All Section HM

Top Pole: Eddie Hylka

League Favorite: Probably us (gun to his head)

Section Favorite: Rye

Goals: Stay healthy, compete in every game.

Coach’s Comments: We have a solid core of seniors who are eager to compete and see if they have what it takes to push favorites like Yorktown and Rye.

MAHOPAC

Coach: Jon Bota (3rd year), Mahopac 2011 grad; Assistant. Mike Haddeland 1996 grad

Last Year: regular season, 9-5; 1st Round Win over Clarkstown South, quarters win over Fox Lane 12-10, semifinal loss to Rye 14-2

Top Returning Players: Mike Harney, All-Section Sr., A; Sean Massett, All-Section Sr., D;.Chris Evans, All-League Sr., F/O;  Jake Degnan, All-League Jr., A; Mike Rettberg, Jr., A; John Kearney, Soph. M; Danny Koch, Soph. M; Soph. A/M Gavin Viglucci

Key Newcomers: Tommy Jacobellis Jr., G; Liam Dodd Jr., D; Jack Elliot Jr., D

Players Playing at Next Level: Harney (Army), Massett (Monmouth)

Leading Scorers: Harney (63 points, All-Section); Degnan (50 points, All-League); Koch (40 points)

Top Pole: Massett

League Favorite: Yorktown

Section Favorite: Rye

Goals: Win the League. Get to the section Finals.

Coach’s Comments: Another year, another opportunity to take a step in the right direction for the Mahopac lacrosse program.

SOMERS

Coach: Vin DeGregorio, 13th year

Last Year: 9-7, 2022 section semifinalist

Top Returning Players: Derek Marcus Sr.-D; Hunter Sullivan Sr.-G, Henry Ellison Sr.-A; TJ Olifers Sr.-M; Michael Micceri Sr.-LSM; Luke Kennedy Jr.

Key Newcomers:Miguel Iglesias Fr.-M; Mac Sullivan So.-A; Ryan Brush Fr.-A;Nick Newman So. M

Next Level: Sullivan Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI); Olifers, Muhlenberg College

Top Pole: Derek Marcus Sr.

Section Favorite: Yorktown

Goals:  Win a Section Championship

Coach’s Comments: Happy about the time and effort that our boys put in during the off-season.

CLASS A

CARMEL

Coach: Matt Caione, 6th year

Last Year: 6-11, 1st round playoff win

Top Returning Players: All-League soph. A Matthew Risley; soph. D Nolan Faudar; Jr. M Jake Storen; Soph. M Ryan Aabel; Soph. D Jeremy Smith; Jr. D Jake Ellner; Jr. G Nick Fazzino

Key Newcomers: Soph. G Jake Meissner; Fr. M Thomas Connolly; Sr. M Luke Golisano

Goals: Execute. Progress throughout the season.

Coach’s Comments: This is a great group of players and parents who are very supportive and passionate about the sport.

CLASS C

HEN HUD

Coach: Troy Lepore, 6th year;  Assistant Coaches: Jordan Hirsch, Taylor Ekstrom

Last Year: 5-8, lost in sectionals 10-9 to Tappan Zee

Top Returning Players: Dean Hiltsley, Jr. (M); Thomas Popolizio, Jr. (M/D); Rocco Capicotti, Sr. (A); Ryan Clark, Jr. (M); Marty Stewart, Sr. (D); Cole Pritchard, Sr. D

Key Newcomers: Conor Prokopiak, So. (D)

Next Level: Stewart, Pennsylvania College of Technology

Leading Scorers: All-Leaguers Popolizio (13G, 32A, 18GBs), Hiltsley (36G, 9A, 27GBs), Clark, Pritchard (D)

Top Pole: Pritchard, Stewart, Ryan Ho, Prokopiak, Popolizio

League Favorite: Lakeland/Panas

Section Favorite: Byram Hills, Pelham, TZ are all solid teams that are coached up well. I’m sure more programs will enter the conversation as the season plays on.

Goals: Learn how to close out tight games, learn how you do anything is how you do everything.

Coach’s Comments: We’re excited to be back for another season. We love our schedule, we got our locker room back, which is huge for our program and just having kids being together more, and we’re hungry with how our season ended and went last year. This team, when we’re all bought in and willing to put the culture above everything else, can be successful.

PUTNAM VALLEY

Coach: Tim Weir, 6th year at PV,  38th year coaching

Last Year: 14-4, playoffs beat Ardsley 17-5 Round 1, lost to Pearl River 11-9 in quarterfinals

Top Returning Players: Ryan Denike Sr. A; Andrew Dzubak Sr. A; Logan Porteus Jr. D;

Anthony Esposito Sr. D; Davin Porteus Jr. M; Hayden Gumbrecht Sr. M; Chris Meenan Sr. LSM (89 GBs); Roger Raimo Sr. G; Chris Degiorgio Soph. M; Kyle Mello Jr. A/M; Aidan South Soph. D; Evan Mounier Soph. M

Key Newcomers: Doug Brown Sr. A; Cole Durocher Sr.  A; Andrew Grippo Fr. A/M; Nick Grippo So. M; Escuar Ordoniez  So. M; Tommy Calicchio Sr.  M; Charles Howley Jr. D

Leading Scorers: Denike (28G, 56A, 84); Dzubak (23G, 17A, 40); Gumbrecht  (18G, 9A, 27)

Top Pole: Esposito, Meenan, Logan Porteus

League Favorite: Croton

Section Favorite: Byram Hills/Hen Hud/Pelham

Goals: To improve each day and be in a position at the end of the season to compete for a sectional championship.

Comments: We graduated 110 goals from last year’s team. We are going to have to develop  players on the offensive side of the field. On defense, we are returning a lot of experience so early on we will have to rely on this group to set the tone. We have a good group of kids who have worked hard in the off season and have shown improvement.

BREWSTER

Coach: Ryan Cleary, 1st year Coach

Last Year: 4-9 lost to John Jay CR in first round

Top Returning Players: Senior Captain G Mike Triolo; Senior Captain M Ethan Hamm; Junior Captain M Josh Walsh (3G, 1A in season-opening loss to Greeley); Senior D Logan Shelley;  Senior A Dom Rienzi

Key Newcomers: No JV team last season. Bears need some of our young returners to step up and elevate their play, including Junior D Antonio Medina; Junior D Julius Walters; Junior A Joe Anfuso

Next level: Triolo SUNY Delhi

League Favorite: Lakeland/Panas

Goals: Our goal this year is to move this program forward and improve from last year. We want to be competitive and improve as we move through the season. We are looking to pick up some hard fought wins by hustling and battling through the ups and downs. All in all we are looking to work hard, improve each day and have some fun as we do it.

CLASS D

CROTON-HARMON

Coach:  Stephen Palencsar, 11th year

Last Year: lost in quarterfinals to Bronxville

Top Returning Players: Michael McCarthy, Sr. A; Nati Donohue-Greene, Sr. Goalie; Noah Bovone, Jr, M

Key Newcomers: Alex More, Fr. D

Leading Scorers: McCarthy (40G, 21A, 61), All-League

Top Pole: Edwin Dowd, Sr.

League Favorite: Putnam Valley

Section Favorite: Briarcliff

Goals: We want to keep improving and adding elements to our game as the season progresses.  We’d be happy to pull off an upset or two along the way. 

Coach’s Comments:  We have a large group of seniors this year who are hoping to be competitive in our league this year.

HALDANE

Coach: Eddie Crowe, 9th year

Last Year: 8-9, lost in Class D Section 1 semifinals

Top Returning Players: Soleil Gaines, SR, M; GianCarlo Carrone, SR, M/D; Evan Giachinta, Soph, M/A; PJ Ruggiero, Soph, D/M; Rhys Robbins, Jr, A; Will Sniffen, Jr, M; Thomas Tucker, Jr, D

Key Newcomers: Nate Stickle, Fr, D; Frankie DiGillio, Soph, FO/M;, Liam Gaugler, Soph, A; Jordon Hankel, G, Soph; Ryan Van-Tassel, Soph, M;, Dylan Rucker, FO/M/A/G/D, Soph.

Leading Scorers: Ruggiero (All-League), Giachinta (All-League)

Top Pole: Thomas Tucker, Ruggiero

League Favorite: Putnam Valley, Haldane

Section Favorite: Briarcliff

Goals: Continue to show promise and improve on a daily basis.

Coach’s Comments: This is a young group of guys, only having two seniors this year. They are a group that has a lot of experience. Most of them, if not all of, played at the varsity level last year. If they continue to progress and improve they could be real competitive.