High School Boys' Players of the Week: Brunswick's Hanford Huge in Second Half

USA Lacrosse recognizes the most outstanding individual performances in high school boys’ and girls' lacrosse in each region we cover. Coaches and others can submit athletes for consideration using our online form. Click here to enter your nomination.

Honorees are selected by USA Lacrosse Magazine staff and contributors and published each Wednesday on the USA Lacrosse Magazine website (usalacrosse.com/magazine) as well as our social media channels (@USALMAG).

NORTHEAST

Hunter Hanford, Brunswick (Conn.)

It was a happy homecoming for Hunter Hanford.

Back in his hometown of Darien, Conn., the sophomore attackman was the center of attention in the annual anticipated battle between Brunswick and Darien (Conn.).

And Hanford stepped up to the occasion, scoring a team-high four goals — all in the second half — to lead the Bruins to an 11-8 victory. It was Brunswick’s sixth win in seven meetings with the Blue Wave.

Hanford also set up Austin Tuttle’s overtime winner midweek against Hill Academy (Ont.).

“Hunter has been playing determined to help us win games, and he literally took the Hill game over at the end of the game to help us win in overtime,” Brunswick coach David Bruce said.

Also notable: Cole Beekman, Syosset (N.Y.); Luke Dessi, Horace Greeley (N.Y.); Jax Kumin, Noble & Greenough (Mass.); Hunter Mezzatesta, Yorktown (N.Y.); Rocco Spallina, Massapequa (N.Y.); Alex Vitale, Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.)

— Dylan Butler 

MID-ATLANTIC

Ayden Matthews, Lawrenceville (N.J.)

Part of a dynamic junior class for the Big Red, Matthews has been a force at the offensive end all season. He had a big week with four goals in a 12-5 win over Perkiomen (Pa.), then had one of his biggest games and goals of the year when he scored his third goal of the game to give Lawrenceville an 8-7 overtime win over a stout St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) team. The win was the fifth straight for Lawrenceville, which has taken on some of the top-ranked teams in the country. Matthews is due for another season with the Big Red before he joins Penn State.

Also notable: Luca Ball, Loyola Blakefield (Md.); Connor Dodson, Haverford School (Pa.); Owen Fehnel, Parkland (Pa.); Kevin Gattie, Severn (Md.); Will Koenig, Century (Md.); Danny Lucovich, Malvern Prep (Pa.); Conor Morsell, Haverford School (Pa.); Sam Voeltner, Centennial (Md.); Jake Zamoiski, Bullis (Md.)

— Justin Feil 

SOUTH

James Allen, Highland Park (Texas)

In one of the biggest contests this year in Texas, James Allen played a key role in helping Highland Park defeat one of its biggest rivals. The senior attackman, headed to Sewanee, scored three critical goals in Highland Park’s one-goal victory over Episcopal Dallas. He also put together a hat trick by the midway point in the second quarter in Highland Park’s dominant win over McKinney (Texas). He is among eight Highland Park seniors slated to play at the collegiate level next year.

Also notable: Cooper Crone, St. Andrew’s (Fla.); David Druhot, Jupiter (Fla.); Wyatt Luce, Roswell (Ga.)

— Justin Boggs 

MIDWEST

Chase Lloyd, Glenbard West (Ill.)

Just a sophomore, Lloyd has already demonstrated a knack for stepping up in big games for the 11-1 Hilltoppers. That included five goals in a 16-11 win over Hinsdale Central (Ill.) and four goals and an assist in an 11-6 win over York (Ill.) last week. Earlier this season, he had two goals and two assists in a close win over Guerin Catholic (Ind.), four goals and an assist in a one-goal win over St. Ignatius Prep (Ill.) and two goals and two assists in a 6-5 win over Lake Forest (Ill.), which won the last two state titles. Already, Lloyd has skyrocketed past his totals from a year ago, including a team-high 29 goals.

Also notable: Will Bates, Carmel (Ind.); Hunter Harris, Western Reserve (Ohio); Keiran Jones, Stillwater (Minn.); Luke Mills, Western Reserve (Ohio); Tate Rich, Worthington Kilbourne (Ohio); Peyton Sofran, Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.)

— Jonah Rosenblum 

WEST

August Chapman, Marin Catholic (Calif.)

Junior midfielder August Chapman turned in a standout performance to help Marin Catholic secure a key 9–5 win over Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), one of the most impactful results of the week.

The Marquette commit led the way offensively with three goals, all unassisted, consistently initiating from the midfield and breaking down the defense. With Sacred Heart Prep clawing back to make it a 6–5 game, Chapman elevated in the biggest moments — scoring two fourth-quarter goals to create separation and seal the win.

“Auggie made individual plays in the fourth quarter on senior night to help our team to victory versus SHP,” head coach BJ Grill said. “His three goals were unassisted, and he was un-guardable.”

Chapman’s combination of athleticism, dodging ability, and clutch scoring continues to make him a difference-maker, powering a statement win and reinforcing Marin Catholic’s place among the top teams in the region.

Also notable: JT Cross, Valor Christian (Colo.); Ashton Hutter, Valor Christian (Colo.)

— Sonorah Hunter