Highland Park (Tex.), Brophy Prep (Ariz.) Join South, West Boys' Top 10s

The second week of USA Lacrosse regional high school rankings adds the West to the updated South as more teams across the country begin play. 

Lake Mary (Fla.) remains atop the South after a pair of impressive wins. The top seven in the South remain unchanged, with all seven unbeaten in the first several weeks.

The West will start ramping up this week. Only two of the top five teams played last week, with No. 2 St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) winning its opener and No. 5 Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) doing the same. The two will face off this week in a great early season matchup of California powers.

SOUTH TOP 10

1. Lake Mary (Fla.), 7-0

The Rams improved their multi-season winning streak to 31 games, winning a trio of contests last week. On February 26, Lake Mary had its most dominating performance of the young season, defeating Lake Brantley (Fla.) 21-1. The Rams then handed Jesuit (Fla.) its first loss before narrowly defeating Georgia power Lambert 11-9. Coach Gary Robinson noted the defensive performances of defender Matthew Shannon and goalie Mason Masterson. Previous: 1

2. St. Andrew’s (Fla.), 7-0

Sophomore Dylan Faison had an impressive week, contributing 13 goals in the span of two games, helping St. Andrew’s to a pair of victories. St. Andrew’s defeated Benjamin (Fla.) 16-10 on February 27, followed by a 15-6 win over Community School of Naples (Fla) on March 2. Faison has scored 33 points and 19 assists in seven games. Previous: 2

3. Cannon School (N.C.), 2-0

The Cougars had a bye week following their 13-5 win over Lucy Beckham (S.C.) on February 24. Cannon School returns to action March 5 versus Marvin Ridge (N.C.). Previous: 3

4. Bolles (Fla.), 9-0

The Bulldogs’ perfect start continued with a trio of blowout wins last week. Bolles easily defeated Nease (Fla.), Winter Park (Fla.) and Timber Creek (Fla.). Previous: 4

5. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.), 5-0

James Finch’s eight-goal, two-assist performance helped the Raiders overpower Cardinal Gibbons (Fla.) 19-2 on February 28. His performance followed a three-goal, two-assist game he had to help his squad in a 14-6 win over St. Edward’s (Fla.). The sophomore already has 79 goals in 22 career games. Previous: 5

6. Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.), 3-0

After starting out the year with dominating wins over Page (N.C.) and Christ Church Episcopal (N.C.), Cardinal Gibbons rallied to defeat Lake Norman (N.C.) 7-6. Justin Conly assisted on four of the team’s seven goals. Senior Brady Dolan has 10 goals and six assists so far. Previous: 6

7. Charlotte Catholic (N.C.), 4-0

The season started out with a bang for the Cougars, playing four times in six days. Charlotte Catholic had blowout wins over Christ the King (N.C.), Reagan (N.C.) and Wando (S.C.) before hanging on for a 12-10 win over Lucy Beckham (S.C.). Previous: 7

8. Roswell (Ga.), 6-0

The Hornets’ perfect start continued by winning on back-to-back days, defeating Johns Creek (Ga.) 22-3 and Greater Atlanta Christian (Ga.) 17-7. Ezra Moore now has scored over 100 goals in his time at Roswell. Previous: 9

9. Episcopal School of Dallas (Texas), 5-1

After losing their season opener to Westlake (Texas), the Eagles have won five in a row, all by at least 10 goals. The latest wins came over St. John’s (Texas), Episcopal Houston (Texas) and Kinkaid (Texas). Previous: 10

10. Highland Park (Texas), 4-1

The Scots’ only loss of the year was to Culver Academy (Ind.). In the last week, Highland Park defeated the Woodlands (Texas) and Memorial (Texas). The squad has a 19-day layoff before welcoming a trio of teams from out of state. Previous: NR

SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK

James Finch, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.)

Finch is quickly becoming one of the most prolific scorers in the region, as he has scored 27 goals and 11 assists in the young season. The sophomore attacker’s best effort came in an eight-goal, two-assist contest against Cardinal Gibbons (Fla.). He also had three goals and two assists against St. Edward’s (Fla.).

Also notable: Dylan Faison, St. Andrew’s (Fla.); Matthew Shannon, Lake Mary (Fla.)

— Justin Boggs

WEST TOP 10

1. Valor Christian (Colo.), 0-0

The Eagles return every starter from last year's team that lost only twice, but falling in the state final gives them motivation to finish the job. Top scorers Baden Brown (Tufts) and Liam Goodwin (Colorado College) are back on offense, while Alex Rismani (Air Force) and Rush LaSelle (Army) stand out in the midfield along with FOGO Harry Luong. The defensive end features Duke-bound goalie Buck Cunningham behind a deep defense keyed by Luke Alread (High Point) and Blake Kirschke (Denver). Behind a core of upper class standouts, the Eagles also have highly capable sophomores and freshmen ready to step in. Valor Christian kicks off its redemption arc on March 8 against Poudre District (Colo.). Previous: 1

2. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), 1-0

The CIF Central Coast section champions look for a third straight crown, as well as the chance to make some noise nationally with several strong East Coast teams on their schedule. The defense is the strength to start with all but one returning starter back. It has Navy-bound goalie George Vlahos back along with junior defender Atticus Oliven (Michigan). Stu Gates (Dartmouth) is a standout on attack along with sophomore Max Ripple. The midfield features Pierce St. Geme, a senior headed to Bowling Green for football. With several players banged up to start the year, St. Ignatius has to get healthy to reach its potential. The Wildcats put their team to the test again with a pair of in-state matches this week: No. 5 Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) on March 6 and Menlo (Calif.) on March 8. Previous: 2

3. Torrey Pines (Calif.), 0-0

The Falcons are hoping to ride their winning culture to a sixth straight CIF title, and they'll take on a tough out-of-county schedule to further challenge themselves. Torrey Pines features a good defense in front of Hopkins-bound goalie Andrew Cook. Midfielders Matt Mannarino (Rutgers), Ryland Roach (UMass) and John Prior (Army) are a strong trio. Lefty attackman Blake Washburn (Tufts) highlights the attack. SSDMs Joey Levenberg (Hopkins) and SJ Dohrenwend (Monmouth) and sophomore FOGO Foster Huang are vital to this team that took St. Ignatius to 3OTs last year. Torrey Pines hits the road for two games against Patrick Henry (Calif.) on March 5 and Cathedral Catholic (Calif.) on March 8. Previous: 3

4. Mountain Vista (Colo.), 0-0

Winners of two of the last three state titles, the Golden Eagles are again in the mix despite losing last year's West Region Player of the Year Ethan Pearson (Towson). The offense was hit hardest by graduation, but the defense and LSM are all D1 commits. Brody Reedy (Sacred Heart) sparks the defense, Holden Hayes (Hofstra) is critical on the faceoff, and Bryce Kallio, a college tennis commit, is an accomplished midfielder. If the new young contributors develop fast, the Golden Eagles have a shot at another state championship. Mountain Vista opens its season on March 8 at Lewis Palmer (Colo.). Previous: 4

5. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), 1-0

The Gators lost three times to St. Ignatius last year and endured five narrow losses, including one to Mid-Atlantic power Gonzaga (D.C.). Keyed by top-flight middie Ian Dykes (Duke) and attack/middie Blake Hetherington (Havard), and Graham Kaestner (Hopkins) on defense, Sacred Heart should be among the region's best. Their eight returning starters have plentiful experience and coach Chris Rotelli believes it could be one of the program's best years ever. Up next is a rematch against No. 2 St. Ignatius Prep on March 6, followed by Redwood (Calif.) on March 8. Previous: 5

6. De La Salle (Calif.), 2-0

Leading scorer Henry Benner and FOGO Jackson Barth return for a Spartans team that is looking for a third CIF North Coast championship. De La Salle was as good as anyone in parts of last year with wins over St. Ignatius and Sacred Heart Prep. The Spartans would move up with wins like that this year. Next up for De La Salle are two in-state matchups: Tamalpais (Calif.) on March 6 and Marin Catholic (Calif.) on March 8. Previous: 7

7. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.), 4-1

Seven of their top nine scorers from a team that won the CIF Southern Section final last year are back. Connor Pietras is the top returning scorer, and All-American Bode Jellerson solidifies the midfield. Isaiah Chavez is just a junior, but won more than 62 percent of faceoffs last year. Shortstick middie Joseph Switzer is part of a defense that is back intact for a strong starting point. The Knights are looking for two more victories against California’s Canyon on March 7 and Westlake on March 9. Previous: 6

8. Loyola Los Angeles (Calif.), 2-1

Hopkins-bound LSM Luke Stickler keys a deep, strong and physical defense for a team that came up a game short of a section crown. Ben Horowitz is the lone senior on a young attack, but senior middie David Cardenas is a dynamic athlete who will help. Kenny Russo (Boston U.) is the top returning midfielder. The Cubs have an interesting dynamic with nine returning starters, including several sophomores, but also has some key freshman starters like Will Russo in goal, Andrew Goldman at faceoff X and Tripp King on attack. Still very early in the season, Loyola will aim for two more wins this week against Crespi (Calif.) on March 5 and No. 10 Brophy on March 8. Previous: 9

9. Jesuit Portland (Ore.), 0-0

The Crusaders have senior stars at every level ready to aim for a third straight Oregon High School Lacrosse Association state title. Porter Malkiel (Princeton) is a dynamic dodger on attack, Christian Buck (Yale) is a physical, explosive midfield dodger who can blister shots on the run, and defender Jacob Hutchinson (Denver) is entrusted to lock down any opponent's top attacker. Behind them is goalie Brady Smith (Hobart), the backbone of the defense the last two years. Jesuit is balanced and with eight returning starters, has the pedigree for another title year. The Crusaders are gearing up for their season opener March 14 against Lake Oswego (Ore.). Previous: 8

10. Brophy Prep (Ariz.), 9-0

Back-to-back Arizona state champions, Brophy is undefeated on the season coming off a 16-15 upset over California’s Mater Dei on February 24. The Broncos trailed 13-8 heading into the fourth quarter before they scored eight goals, with senior Carter Barclay-White scoring with under one minute left to clinch the historic victory for Brophy. They kept the momentum rolling, defeating Pinnacle (Ariz.) 18-3 on February 27 and Spire Academy (Ohio) 14-9 on March 1. The rising program was recently named a Nike Elite Lacrosse Program and is led by head coach Pat Harbeson, former PLL star and NCAA champion. Brophy will host Perry (Ariz.) on March 5 and No. 8 Loyola on March 8. Previous: NR

WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Erik Volfson, Brophy Prep (Ariz.)

Volfson (Lafayette College) is a vital part of the Broncos’ offensive and defensive units. The senior midfielder and two-time defending state champion recorded a hat trick against Mater Dei (Calif.) along with three assists and led the team with five goals against their Arizona counterpart Pinnacle. In Brophy’s victory over Spire Academy (Ohio), Volfson registered three goals, a pair of assists and two ground balls to help maintain the squad’s perfect season so far.

Also notable: Kellen Dunn, De La Salle (Calif.); Luke Inabinet, Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.); John Prior, Torrey Pines (Calif.)

— Theresa Palmquist