Manhasset is trying to keep their players home. This year they were significantly under represented (relative to prior years) on the Chaminade Freshman team, which means that the good kids are staying put.
GC is Trying to do the same...even though they do loose some each year.
If anyone believes that the Dynastic Elite teams of the past 15 or 20 years don't have a better chances than the rest in getting back on top (despite a lackluster 2014), then I'd like to know why and how.
Realistically, in this sport at the HS level, Coaching matters. Cherry, Finnell, Weiszoreck, Moran, Craig - These guys are hall of famers and will get their team going. I like their chances.
Whatever program makes Rotanz their next head will also go to the net level of elite.
This is a comical statement. Like lacrosse is the only reason a family would want to send their boy to Chaminade. Not to bash Manhasset but how on earth does Manhasset try to "keep" kids from going to Chaminade. The decision to go to Chaminade goes WAY beyond lacrosse. There is simply nothing that can be said to "keep" a kid at Manhasset if their family sees a better overall value proposition at Chaminade. And many do. If you know differently or have even anecdotal evidence of this "strategy" by Manhasset, please give us some insights as to how that hypothetical conversation would go and between which representatives of Manhasset. We'd all like a good laugh.
Not trying to be comical. Just making an observation backed by fact. It all starts with the town programs creating the summer club teams and select programs run by the Town HS coaches. At 6th grade the coaches are marking their territory.
I would agree for mos kids that go to Chaminade or St. A,s , the choice is driven by more than lacrosse. But for som talented kids on the fence, lax can be the reason to stay home. For example, not being able to play on a town select or committed team any more once the player goes to Cham or Sta is a factor.
Being called up to varsity in middle school is pretty attractive don't you think.
Also, the opportunity to play varsity at the home HS as a freshman is a factor (if not an explicit promise) . That opportunity is unlikely for 9th graders at Cham or StA. Beware the back room deals being made before freshman year.
A four year varsity player from a traditionally powerhouse program looks pretty good to college recruiters too. So do the phone calls from elite hs coaches to various colleges about their very own 4 yr players.
Open your eyes! It happens.
Enough comedy for you? [/quote]
Any promises (explicit or implicit) made by a high school coach to an 8th grader in order to keep a kid from going to Chaminade is a very slippery slope. What that means is a kid taking a roster spot or field time away from an equally or more talented upper classman. It is probably the worst thing a coach can do to ruin the chemistry of the locker room not to mention the competitiveness of his team. A whiz kid, hot shot 9th grader may be Mr. Wonderful against kids his own grade or maybe even a year above but it doesn't work so well against more athletic and talented Juniors and Seniors. See where the teams are that gave key roles to 9th graders this year. They destroyed the morale on the team and disheartened the upperclassmen. You got what you asked for. Enjoy watching the rest of the playoffs on msgvarsity.com. [/quote]
This issue is also why Chaminade will change and begin moving kids up sooner. Takes away any advantage that a "home team" would have that promises a quicker path to varsity. Watch, sooner than you think.
