Downingtown West Enters Public Top 25 as Playoffs Gear Up

Downingtown West (Pa.) makes its debut as one of only two unbeatens (along with Pittsford (N.Y.)) in this week’s USA Lacrosse Public High School Boys’ National Top 25, presented by CWENCH Hydration. The other two newcomers to the rankings are Shawnee (N.J.) and Chatham (N.J.).

In Pennsylvania's loaded District I AAA playoffs, Downingtown West has the top seed. The Whippets are ahead of nationally ranked Springfield-Delco (Pa.) and Radnor (Pa.). Ridley (Pa.) is a dangerous No. 3 seed. Downingtown West doesn't have that signature win yet, but it could get it soon.

Shawnee was convincing in a win over previously ranked Scotch Plains-Fanwood (N.J.). They face one-loss Kingsway (N.J.) this week before going head-to-head with Chatham next week.

Chatham is the No. 2 seed behind private Delbarton (N.J.) in the Morris County tournament. Chatham faces Morris Knolls (N.J.) today in the county quarterfinals. Their only losses this year have come against privates Don Bosco (N.J.) and Seton Hall Prep (N.J.) and by a goal to ranked Ridgewood (N.J.).  

Other notable developments:

—  In more Jersey county tournament action, Summit (N.J.) is into the semifinals in Union County. A final could be against Westfield (N.J.) or Scotch-Plains Fanwood. Ridgewood is into the semifinals of its county as well and could be up against private Don Bosco in the final.

—  Highland Park (Texas) faces Dallas Jesuit (Texas) in the Texas High School Lacrosse League AA Playoff semifinals Saturday. Highland Park was an 8-3 winner in their first meeting. 

—  Ponte Vedra (Fla.) advanced to their Class 2A state semifinals with a 14-1 quarterfinals win. 

—  Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.) is as hot as any team. The Seahawks have won 10 straight games, keyed by their ability to really limit teams’ scoring.

—  Massapequa (N.Y.) has won five straight games since a loss to Garden City (N.Y.). It’ll face Darien (Conn.) this week in a great matchup that crosses state lines.

—  Garden City also took it to Manhasset (N.Y.) this week in a 14-6 win. The Trojans' only loss this season was out of state.

— Maryland publics begin their playoffs this week. Urbana (Md.) is the top seed in the Class 4A West I region. They face fourth-seeded Gov. Thomas Johnson (Md.) next in the semifinals.

— Severna Park (Md.) is top-seeded in Class 3A East II. They are scheduled to host fourth-seeded Crofton (Md.).  They are aiming for an unprecedented 10th straight state title. The Falcons come off a hard-fought county championship win over Broadneck (Md.) in which Brady Daniels and Duke Sealey each had two goals apiece.

— Broadneck holds the No. 1 seed in the Class 4A East I region. They face Annapolis (Md.) in the semifinal as they look to earn another shot eventually at Severna Park.

— Kent Island (Md.) has won six straight games since its only loss of the season at the hands of Urbana. The Buccaneers are the top seed in Class 2A East I and face fourth-seeded Patterson (Md.) next. 

— In region updates, Hough (N.C.) is into the South Region at No. 10, while the Midwest welcomes Hudson (Ohio), unbeaten Farmington (Minn.) and Rockford (Mich.). Downingtown West (Pa.) and Shawnee (N.J.) are also new in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

By focusing exclusively on public school programs, these USA Lacrosse National Top 25 and Regional Top 10 lists (also found here in our rankings hub) highlight the best teams that have built powerhouse rosters through local development and strong grassroots efforts.

Compiled by USA Lacrosse writers with input from coaches around the country, rankings and records reflect results as of previous Tuesday.

National Top 25

1. Garden City (N.Y.), 12-1 (1) 
2. Highland Park (Texas), 18-1 (2) 
3. Summit (N.J.), 11-1 (3) 
4. Urbana (Md.), 12-1 (4) 
5. Springfield-Delco (Pa.), 14-2 (5) 
6. Radnor (Pa.), 13-4 (7) 
7. Severna Park (Md.), 13-2 (9) 
8. Massapequa (N.Y.), 11-2 (10) 
9. Kent Island (Md.), 12-1 (11) 
10. Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.), 10-3 (12) 
11. New Canaan (Conn.), 8-2 (13) 
12. Darien (Conn.), 9-4 (6) 
13. Staples (Conn.), 9-3 (8) 
14. Manhasset (N.Y.), 9-4 (14)
15. Mamaroneck (N.Y.), 9-3 (15) 
16. Ponte Vedra (Fla.), 19-2 (18)
17. Northport (N.Y.), 10-2 (20) 
18. Syosset (N.Y.), 11-2 (21) 
19. Ridgewood (N.J.), 9-3 (23)
20. Downingtown West (Pa.), 17-0 (NR)
21. Wantagh (N.Y.), 10-3 (24)
22. Robinson (Va.), 13-2 (17) 
23. Pittsford (N.Y.), 13-0 (25)
24. Shawnee (N.J.), 9-3 (NR)
25. Chatham (N.J.), 9-3 (NR)

Also considered (alphabetical order): Bayard Rustin (Pa.), Bridgewater-Raritan (N.J.), Broadneck (Md.), Cape Henlopen (Del.), Carmel (Ind.), Century (Md.), Cherry Creek (Colo.), Downingtown West (Pa.), Fallston (Md.), Farmingdale (N.Y.), Garnet Valley (Pa.), Hilton (N.Y.), Huntingtown (Md.), Kingsway (N.J.), Linganore (Md.), Madison (Va.), Manheim Township (Pa.), Penfield (N.Y.), Ridley (Pa.), Roswell (Ga.), Sachem North (N.Y.), Scotch Plains-Fanwood (N.J.), Smithtown East (N.Y.), Stephen Decatur (Md.), Torrey Pines (Calif.), Twin Valley (Pa.), Upper Arlington (Ohio), Victor (N.Y.), Westfield (N.J.), Wilson (Pa.), Wilton (Conn.), Yorktown (N.Y.)

Northeast Top 10

1. Garden City (N.Y.), 12-1 (1)
2. Massapequa (N.Y.), 11-2 (4) 
3. Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.), 10-3 (5) 
4. New Canaan (Conn.), 8-2 (6) 
5. Darien (Conn.), 9-4 (2) 
6. Staples (Conn.), 9-3 (3) 
7. Manhasset (N.Y.), 9-4 (7)
8. Mamaroneck (N.Y.), 9-3 (8)
9. Northport (N.Y.), 10-2 (9)
10. Syosset (N.Y.), 11-2 (10) 

Mid-Atlantic Top 10

1. Summit (N.J.), 11-1 (1) 
2. Urbana (Md.), 12-1 (2) 
3. Springfield-Delco (Pa.), 14-2 (3)
4. Radnor (Pa.), 13-4 (4) 
5. Severna Park (Md.), 13-2 (5) 
6. Kent Island (Md.), 12-1 (6)
7. Ridgewood (N.J.), 9-3 (10) 
8. Downingtown West (Pa.), 17-0 (NR)
9. Robinson (Va.), 10-2 (8)
10. Shawnee (N.J.), 9-3 (NR)

South Top 10

1. Highland Park (Texas), 18-1 (1)
2. Ponte Vedra (Fla.), 19-2 (2) 
3. Roswell (Ga.), 19-1 (4) 
4. The Woodlands (Texas), 17-3 (5)
5. Jupiter (Fla.), 16-4 (3)
6. Lambert (Ga.), 18-1 (6)
7. Lucy Beckham (S.C.), 14-3 (7)
8. Lassiter (Ga.), 15-3 (8) 
9. Middle Creek (N.C.), 19-4 (10)
10. Hough (N.C.), 15-3 (NR)

Midwest Top 10

1. Upper Arlington (Ohio), 14-2 (1) 
2. Carmel (Ind.), 13-1 (2)
3. Worthington Kilbourne (Ohio), 14-3 (3) 
4. Stillwater (Minn.), 9-0 (5)
5. Lake Forest (Ill.), 11-1 (6) 
6. New Albany (Ohio), 13-3 (10)
7. Hudson (Ohio), 11-3 (NR)
8. Olentangy Liberty (Ohio), 11-4 (7) 
9. Farmington (Minn.), 8-0 (NR)
10. Rockford (Mich.), 9-2 (NR)

West Top 10

1. Cherry Creek (Colo.), 13-2 (1)
2. Torrey Pines (Calif.), 13-3 (2)
3. Arapahoe (Colo.), 13-2 (3) 
4. La Costa Canyon (Calif.), 10-6 (4)
5. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.), 13-7 (5)
6. Mount Si (Wash.), 15-4 (6) 
7. Lakeridge (Ore.), 13-3 (7)
8. Park City (Utah), 13-2 (8) 
9. Lakewood (Colo.), 14-1 (10)
10. Eastlake (Wash.), 14-3 (9)