BOTC - US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums NORTHEAST LACROSSE BOTC MAIN FORUM (LI, CT, WC) Boys 2026-5th Grade Fall 2018/Summer 2019

Correct. I am a LI parent of public school children, and there are hold backs at the private schools. Less than in MD I'm sure, but that's probably only because there are only 2 big private lacrosse programs on LI.

So are we to believe that the players at Chaminade and St. Anthony's are all on age for their class?

Would be very curious to see what would happen if Laxachusetts, practiced from September to July as a team, then played a full slate of fall tournaments, followed by a dozen games in a spring league (like HOCO), then played the summer circuit, versus picking the roster 3 weeks before the June 1, practicing 3 times together then playing and BEATING the Hawks like LXC did last July in MD. My guess is the Hawks wouldn't stand a chance. Maybe you didn't know that the team was put together weeks before the summer with 3 practices though...not having played a single game prior to the summer tournament schedule. But they encourage 11 years olds to be multi sport athletes and most on the team excel at an elite level, in one or two other sports. That's the reality, my friend.

be glad the hawks didn't bother to come to LI last weekend. it would have been ugly

Amen to that ! Most of the very best lax players are also studs in football or soccer, and are not burnt out by the time they reach HS.
But I will gladly let the one sport "wonder boys" do what they do best, wilt under pressure when they get older.

Amen to that ! Most of the very best lax players are also studs in football or soccer, and are not burnt out by the time they reach HS.
But I will gladly let the one sport "wonder boys" do what they do best, wilt under pressure when they get older.

Would be very curious to see what would happen if Laxachusetts, practiced from September to July as a team, then played a full slate of fall tournaments, followed by a dozen games in a spring league (like HOCO), then played the summer circuit, versus picking the roster 3 weeks before the June 1, practicing 3 times together then playing and BEATING the Hawks like LXC did last July in MD. My guess is the Hawks wouldn't stand a chance. Maybe you didn't know that the team was put together weeks before the summer with 3 practices though...not having played a single game prior to the summer tournament schedule. But they encourage 11 years olds to be multi sport athletes and most on the team excel at an elite level, in one or two other sports. That's the reality, my friend.

All optional...you failed to mention that. And most play hockey, football and soccer so it's not really an option.

Obviously you are an express dad and if your top face guy goes to 91 your team is done. Same can be said for 91. If there top guy leaves they are in just as much if not more trouble. What you should follow is where the Igloo F/O kid goes because whichever club grabs him they become head and shoulders above the other one. We didn't play express or 91 but the Igloo kid was lights out and those other 2 are even better. Hope that helped.

Question for the group (especially those with knowledge of the Maryland (Hawks), Massachusetts (Laxachusetts) and Philly/PA area (Tigers XXVI) : How far is your geographic circle of kids on the team? On LI, most kids who play for Express, Team 91, Igloo, Legacy, etc. are located within a 20-30 minute car ride radius (yes, there are a couple of outliers, but most do not travel more than that to their home field practice location). With so many teams competing for the same talent pool in the same geographic area, LI teams are diluting the talent. Also, there are some great town programs (like Garden City, etc.) who encourage their players to not play club lacrosse and do a great job keeping top talent within their own town travel teams.

Does Laxachussetts Black get kids from all over Mass? Is it the Greater Boston Area (and how big is that)? Are their multiple Laxachusetts teams (Western, Eastern, North, South, Rhode Island), that all feed into a summer Elite team. Same with Hawks? Are they pulling from a large geographic talent pool by themselves? I know there are plenty of teams within the Howarrd County (HoCO) region, but do they just get the best of the best?

We are also starting to see teams like Dukes National, True Illinois, Sweetlax that are pulling in kids on a statewide (or even out of state) basis to play in tournaments. That is an extremely wide talent pool area to pull from LI just has too many teams and it is supply/demand. Forget about age, cutoff dates, holdbacks... each LI club is out there to make money and have as many kids on their A, B, C teams. LI needs a way to figure out a way to consolidate talent. Don't know how. But again, was just wondering if people can elaborate on how it is done in the other areas mentioned above.

Which team is better on Long Island? Express AA or 91 AA. And if the answer is Express, take away their face off kid and who wins? Pros and cons of each team? I am trying to decide which team would be best for my son. Honest answers would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Express and 91 are the same teams. What is going to happen is simple. CoachC and Spallina are businessmen and they are going to merge these teams one way or the other. Neither team can compete with the older talent that the Hawks & Lax have on their own and they know that. Simple solution. Merge the teams and get the best 20 from L.I. on the field. Both clubs will still make a ton of money regardless and they will no longer have to hear the Hawks Dad gloat about his non re-graded 12 year old beating 10/11 yr olds. They will say that this is not happening and how dare it even be suggested. Don't be fooled. The team is already picked and you will most likely see that come tryouts when miraculously the 8-12 best kids from your team are not there. I can't wait to see the team name. SpaChucks, Chanillina's, or ChannySpills........ WSYL 2021 here we come.

My opinion is that 91 was probably the better team last year and definitely was the year before (3rd grade...). More recently I think that Express seems to be the better club. I believe the coach of Express is in his 2nd year with them. 91 lost to the Outlaws last weekend. 91 didn't play the game that i've seen them play but still, the Outlaws??
Why say take a kid away from the team? If he's with the team he's with the team. Unless he's going somewhere that you know about.
I would agree with another poster that the top face off guys are Express, 91 then Igloo. 91 has a real good goalie and seems to make stops that many others at this age aren't yet. The Laxechusetts goalie was small but was great! Note: I am NOT the parent of a goalie or face off kid.

You sound like a jilted chick, just saying

Has anyone played the Towermen from Jersey?

Has anyone played the Towermen from Jersey?

Have not played them, but have watched them. They are pretty good.

Just found this Forum. Heard about it at a tournament last week. WOW!

My son plays for the Hawks he is 10 he turns 11 July 18. He is a starting midfielder and above average size. I also coach many of the Hawks in Football and Basketball at travel and AAU level. If you think the Hawks have big kids go to a Football or basketball game for a higher level team. Our kids are not big when you think of the elite athletes in our area. LI dads would not want to see some of those kids with a lacrosse stick in their hands big fast coordinated nasty and yes they are all the correct age.

Point is better athletes are playing lacrosse and the day of the little guy with the great stick dominating is over. Look at college. The best teams their best players are all former standout football and basket ball players. MD, Loyola, Yale, Penn. UVA, Ohio st,, Duke etc. Read the bios. The common denominator is big fast strong tough. Not LI or MD PA or NJ. At least the best players.

My 8 yr old is the same size as my 10 yr old so I can’t wait in two years to watch all the crazies scream at him and tell him he should be driving to the game etc.

Lacrosse has always been, and will continue to be the sport of the wealthy. It is an expensive sport, there is very little scholarship money and kids must still excel in school to play big time lax so academic money can equal or surpass athletic. That's all, end of story.