St. Andrew's (Fla.) on Fire Behind South Player of the Week Nick Testa

Last week, USA Lacrosse Magazine revealed its 2024 Preseason Regional Top 10 rankings in boys’ and girls’ lacrosse. This week, we are set to reveal the Preseason National Top 25 rankings, too.

In the leadup to each of the five regions getting underway, USA Lacrosse Magazine will do region-by-region updates as needed.

Today, the South gets an update as the first region on the field.

SOUTH BOYS’ TOP 10

1. Lake Mary (Fla.), 4-0

The last time the Rams lost was at the end of the 2022 season against Ponte Vedra (Fla.). For the third time since that loss, Lake Mary defeated Ponte Vedra by one goal, toppling their rival 6-5 on Feb. 17. Lake Mary also picked up wins against West Orange (Fla.), Seminole (Fla.) and Winter Park (Fla.). Previous: 1

2. St. Andrew’s (Fla.), 5-0

The Scots’ offense is firing on all cylinders by averaging over 21 goals per game through the first five contests of the season. St. Andrew’s has started the season with wins over Oxbridge Academy (Fla.), St. John Paul II Academy (Fla.), North Broward Prep (Fla.), Stoneman Douglas (Fla.) and Jupiter (Fla.). Previous: 2

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

The Cougars started the season with a pair of wins over top teams from South Carolina. Cannon School’s season premiered with a 11-5 win over Oceanside Collegiate Academy. The Cougars rounded out their opening weekend with a 13-5 win over South Carolina power Lucy Beckham. Previous: 5

4. Bolles (Fla.), 6-0

The Bulldogs have outscored opponents 99-17 to start the season after a busy six-games in two weeks stretch. Among the victories to start the year, Bolles defeated Bishop Moore (Fla.) 10-6 on Feb. 22. Previous: 7

5. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.), 3-0

The Raiders began the season with three solid victories. St. Thomas Aquinas picked up wins over Columbus (Fla.), Gulliver Prep (Fla.) and Community School of Naples (Fla.). James Finch had a six-goal, four-assist performance in the win over Columbus. Previous: 8

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

The Crusaders will start the season Feb. 27 at Page (N.C.). Cardinal Gibbons is coming off a 22-4 season that concluded with a state championship. Previous: 9

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

The Cougars will begin their 2024 season Feb. 26 with a contest at Christ the King (N.C.). Charlotte Catholic finished 2023 with a 20-3 record, falling to Cardinal Gibbons in the state championship game. Previous: 10

8. The Woodlands (Texas), 3-0

The Highlanders are off to a solid start this year with wins over Dallas Jesuit (Texas), Strake Jesuit (Texas) and Kinkaid (Texas). The Woodlands went 18-4 a year ago. Previous: NR

9. Roswell (Ga.), 4-0

Despite losing three All-Americans from last year, the Hornets return a strong roster led by attacker Ezra Moore. Roswell’s season started with an overtime win over Lambert (Ga.), followed by more comfortable wins over Allatoona (Ga.), Woodstock (Ga.) and North Gwinnett (Ga.). Previous: NR

10. Episcopal School of Dallas (Texas), 1-1

The Eagles started the season on a sour note, losing to Westlake (Texas) 16-8. ESD responded with a 29-4 win over Austin (Texas). Episcopal School of Dallas is led by 6-foot-5 attacker Sean Browne, who is committed to Virginia. Previous: 3

SOUTH BOYS’ PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Nick Testa, St. Andrew’s (Fla.)

Sophomore Nick Testa helped St. Andrew’s get off to a solid start this year, scoring hat tricks against Jupiter (Fla.) and Stoneman Douglas (Fla.). Those efforts followed a four-goal performance against St. John Paul II (Fla.) and a three-goal game against Oxbridge Academy (Fla.).

Also notable: James Finch, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.); Charlie Morrison, Alpharetta (Ga.)