game details and story by J.C. Carnahan, For the Sentinel “Lake Brantley’s girls oust Lake Highland, reaches girls lacrosse state tournament”.
Lake Brantley’s girls lacrosse team earned its third straight trip to the state semifinals with an 18-10 victory against Lake Highland Prep in a second-round play-in game Friday night.
The Timber Creek Wolves women’s lacrosse team will advance to the FHSAA district 6 championship to take on Lake Highland Prep. Timber Creek rolled past Boone 17-6 to advance to the finals.
A Summary of Friday’s Semifinals Predictions:
-Predicted: Saint Andrews 21- Lake Highland Prep 8.
-Actual: Saint Andrews 15 – Lake Highland Prep 2.
-Winner predicted correctly, spread predicted correctly.
-The whole weekend was extremely unexciting with the games played, a couple of the matchups were fun to watch, but else wise it was rather easy to lose focus on the play on the field. Saint Andrews scored fast and early with junior attackman Matt Bellando who was on a hot streak all weekend leading the Scots with goals. FO/GO Josh Knight had two big-time goals of the face-offs and was extremely tough for the Highlanders to control. No matter how hard Lake Highland tried throughout the game they couldn’t manage to break past the Scots defense which was backed up by goalie Bernie Susskind, who made several highlight reelesque saves on one-on-ones.
-Predicted: Lake Brantley 7 – Nease 6 in 2OT.
-Actual: Lake Brantley 11 – Nease 3.
-Winner predicted correctly, spread off by 7.
-I was truly surprised by the game which I figured to be a defensive battle; it ended up being a one sided beating of the Panthers. Nease simply could not find a way to beat the Lake Brantley defense and find any penetration inside twelve yards. On offense the Patriots Tucker Ammerman and Jonathan Horbert couldn’t be contained in the second half.
A Summary of Saturday’s State Championship Game Prediction:
-Predicted: Saint Andrews 15 – Lake Brantley 8.
Actual: Saint Andrews 19 – Lake Brantley 5.
-Winner predicted correctly, spread off by 7.
-Let’s face it. Saint Andrews is really good. This was easily seen when in the late 3rd quarter when the Scots gave goalie Bernie Susskind a well earned substitution and proceeded to let their backup goalie, an 8th grader, handle the rest of the game. Saint Andrews attackman Matt Bellando was open all day and was shelling the Patriots keeper. The most exciting part of this game was the Maryland verse Johns Hopkins matchup of Patriot LSM Jesse Bernhardt (U of MD) against Scots middie Lee Coppersmith (JHU), with Jesse winning the one-on-one matchup, but unable to help with the other five on defense behind him who were picked apart ball watching or sliding when not needed. Great season for all the teams participating in the weekend. A special congrats go out to the boys’ winner Saint Andrews Scots and girls’ winner Vero Beach Indians for winning the state championships. Saint Andrews; please play up north during spring break from now on. Everyone in the state wants to see how you will fair against the Gilmans, Loyola-Blakefields, Calvert Preps, Georgetown Preps, Saint Anthonys, John Jays, and West Gennys of the high school lacrosse world.
Things to look forward to next year… Coaching changes, possible transfers, more 3-man ref teams during the regular season, people continually complaining about the reffing, less games scheduled due to budget cuts, loss of JV teams, more schools playing lacrosse without qualified coaching available, more complaining about the referees, and a possible talent dip in the Orlando area.
Next update… The OrlandoLacrosse.com’s All-Orlando Team and Honorable Mentions…
Feel free to send me messages on www.twitter.com/OrlandoLax and let me know of any current lacrosse information for the Orlando/Greater Central Florida.
-OrlandoLax
A summary of my Friday night FHSAA Quarterfinals predictions:-Predicted:
Predicted: Nease 13 – Episcopal 7.
Actual: Nease 8 – Episcopal 7 in OT.
-Winner predicted correctly, spread off by 5.
-Sapora made his face-off tenacity well shown in the loss, but Nease goalie proved why having a hot goalie in the playoffs is extremely dangerous. Nease Panthers move on to play the Lake Brantley Patriots in the FHSAA Semifinals on Friday night, April 24th at West Orange High School in Winter Garden for the 5:00PM game.
-Predicted: Lake Brantley 21 – Apopka 6.
Actual: Lake Brantley 20 – Apopka 7.
-Winner predicted correctly, spread off by 1.
-This game was a gift game for the Patriots, who were able to work all their players in and fine tune their offensive and defensive packages. Good luck in the future Apopka, enjoy the stadium seating this weekend. Lake Brantley Patriots move on to play the Nease Panthers in the FHSAA Semifinals on Friday night, April 24th at West Orange High School in Winter Garden for the 5:00PM game.
-Predicted: Saint Andrews 13 – Gulliver Prep 7.
Actual: Saint Andrews 17 – Gulliver Prep 8.
-Winner predicted correctly, spread off by 5.
-Saint Andrews once again proved that they are the best team in South Florida with a shellacking of Gulliver Prep who has one of the top goalies in the state. Hopefully the growth of lacrosse can happen faster where we can actually have them play in the state semifinals. I believe Pine Crest was the last team in the state to beat Saint Andrews in 2002 when they had Yale-bound David Schechter playing midfield for the Panthers. Saint Andrews Scots move on to play Lake Highland Prep Highlanders in the FHSAA Semifinals on Friday night, April 24th at West Orange High School in Winter Garden for the 2:00PM game.
-Predicted: Lake Highland Prep 18 – Vero Beach 7.
Actual: Lake Highland Prep 14 – Vero Beach 5.
-Winner predicted correctly, spread off by 2.
-Lake Highland Prep cruises past the Indians who featured excellent long pole Marko White; however, it wasn’t enough with the firepower of the Lake Highland Prep offense. Lake Highland Prep Highlanders move on to face the Saint Andrews Scots for the third time this year in the FHSAA Semifinals on Friday night, April 24th at West Orange High School in Winter Garden for the 2:00PM game.
A summary of my Friday night Florida State University verse University of Florida prediction:
-Predicted: Florida State University 14 – University of Florida 13 in OT.
Actual: University of Florida 18 – Florida State University 7, LSM Brad Swartz with two goals, an assist, and ten gbs.
-Winner predicted incorrectly, spread off by 12.
-After the Gators started the game with a 5-1 lead after the first quarter I could tell that this game was a lot harder than the Seminoles expected. The boys from Tallahassee fought through the deficit and made it 6-4 UF at halftime. Florida came out of halftime on fire. Finishing the game by outscoring FSU 12-3 in the second half. FSU had no answer for the UF attack of Ryan Akin (4 goals, 1 assist), Steven Pike (3 goals, 3 assists), and Bradford Smith (3 goals); as well as, UF middies Scott Knepper (2 goals, 2 assists), Dave Rule (2 goals), FSU-transfer Jamie Chapin (1 goal, 8 gbs). The players of the game in my opinion were the Gators’ Swartz brothers, LSM Brad with 2 rips for goals, 1 assist, and 10 gbs and goalie Grant who allowed only 6 goals and posted 18 saves for a 75% save percentage on the evening.
Results: 4-0 in my FHSAA predictions (7-1 Overall) and was embarrassed with my FSU over UF prediction…
Also, congrats to the Vero Beach girls’ lacrosse team for winning their injunction over the FHSAA and being able to continue on to the FHSAA Girls’ Semifinals Friday at Noon verse Park Vista at West Orange High School. Benjamin unfortunately had to face the more talented Indians’ squad with a chip on their shoulder and was dominated 27-1. Winter Springs and Lake Brantley’s girls’ teams’ face-off in the last FHSAA semifinal game on Friday evening at 7:00PM at West Orange High School.
Next update… FHSAA State Semifinals Preview and Predictions…
-OrlandoLax
Note: These are predictions from my personal witnessing of teams or reports from respected people around the state about the teams playing. None of these picks are intended for gambling or other illegal reasons. Please take my choices with a grain of salt, if I am wrong then great job by the winning teams. If I am correct, you’re welcome…Tuesday’s Games…
Lawton Chiles Timberwolves (District 1) @ Jacksonville Episcopal Eagles (District 2) – 6:00PM
Chiles and Episcopal both recorded upset wins against the district favorites to win to make it this far. Chiles became the first team in Tallahassee to actually beat the Maclay School, ever. While the Eagles from Jacksonville managed to pull off the largest upset so far, beating a red hot Bolles team who had recently beaten Nease and Bishop Moore. This game will come down to a matter of who has the ball the most and that thank do what’s best during that time. The Timberwolves will have to figure out how to stop Joey Sapora, from the reports I have heard, the kid can just win face-offs. And at this point of the season a hot face-off guy and goalie can do wonders for a team. Chiles brings to the table a lot of desire and fight, having never made it this far in their history, the new kids on the block want to continue to push the envelope with this senior lead team. Look for the skills of Episcopal and the athleticism of Chiles to make for an interesting matchup.
The pick… Episcopal beats Chiles by 2 (11-9). Sapora makes the difference, Chiles goes home with the respect they have earned. Episcopal moves on to face Saint Augustine Nease on Friday.
Winter Springs Bears (District 4) @ Lake Brantley Patriots (District 5) – 7:00PM
The favorites to win their districts, Lake Brantley and Winter Springs will square off on Tuesday to decide which of Seminole County’s teams will move on to the next round of the playoffs to face Apopka. The Swarthmore-bound midfielder Peter D’Amore is the main hope for Winter Springs to move on to upset the extremely athletic Patriots. Look for Maryland-bound LSM Jesse Bernhardt to be constantly hounding D’Amore. This game will be decided by the play of everyone on Winter Springs not named Peter D’Amore, if they can find a way to crack Lake Brantley’s athletic, skilled, and hard hitting defense, then they have a chance.
The pick… Lake Brantley breezes by Winter Springs by 9 (14-5). Jesse Bernhardt wins his matchup verse Peter D’Amore. Once D’Amore puts in a couple goals off face-off fast breaks the Patriots let Jesse push the envelope defensively and Winter Springs don’t have the firepower to top the rest of the Lake Patriots’ defense. Lake Brantley moves on to face the Apopka Blue Darters on Friday.
Saint Andrews Scots (District 10) @ Saint Thomas Aquinas Raiders (District 11) – 7:00PM*My first post listed Saint Andrews as the home team, according to the FHSAA website- which was incorrect; Saint Thomas Aquinas will be hosting the game.
This game will unfortunately not be very pretty, basically a warm-up for Saint Andrews to play Gulliver Prep. Saint Thomas Aquinas is a few years and a good feeder program away from being the next big South Florida private school to be dominant in Florida. The Scots have won so many state championships for a reason; the kids have played forever and they have the coaching to show them the way to be a champion. The Raiders have the coaching and eventually they will have the talent. Just not soon enough…
The pick… Saint Andrews by more than a little over Saint Thomas Aquinas, winning by 18 (23-5). Saint Andrews gets the horses warmed up and the offenses perfected to be ready for Gulliver Prep on Friday.
Bishop Moore Hornets (District 7) @ Lake Highland Prep Highlanders (District 8) – 7:00PM
The game to watch in Central Florida on Tuesday (Sorry LB verse WS), the private schools are ready for this showdown. Both feature potentially high-octane offenses and good defenses. The question will be who hits the cage more during the game, the overall skill of the Highlanders attack and midfield against the precision of the Hornets offense. Look for the Bishop Moore longpoles to have a huge impact or non-impact in the game.
The pick… Bishop Moore longpole finishes on a fast break late in the 4th to give the Hornets a one goal victory over the Lake Highland Prep Highlanders (13-12). Bishop Moore moves on to face Vero Beach on Friday.
Next update… FHSAA Regional Lacrosse Quarterfinals predictions and FSU @ UF prediction for Friday’s games…
Feel free to send me messages on www.twitter.com/OrlandoLax and let me know of any current lacrosse information for the Orlando/Greater Central Florida.
-OrlandoLax
First off, I would like to welcome everyone to my inaugural blog on OrlandoLacrosse.com, I hope you all enjoy, if you think there is anything interesting that I could get more information on, any teams, players, coaches, games, camps, or anything that you think would interest you as well as others, please let me know. This blog is for everyone who loves the game of lacrosse and has an interest in the game in Orlando.
Now to the exciting stuff…
I love that college basketball is finally over with their “madness,” now it is time for lacrosse in Florida to go through the insanity of the playoffs. I will be going over the Final 16 teams matchup to match, describing what I know of the teams and the impressive wins/losses per school.
District 3 Winners (w/First Round Bye – Play winner of District 1 vs 2, Next Game – Friday, April 17th):
- Nease High School Panthers (14-3):
o Defense, Defense, Defense. How many teams in the United States can say they are sending an entire starting defense to play D1? Matt Leighty (a sought after D1 football WR) will be attending Johns Hopkins to play lacrosse and football, another d-man is going to play lacrosse at Jacksonville U., and the third d-man is going to play football at Jacksonville U. (I am sure Coach Kerwick would like him to join the team as well). They feature arguably the best goalie in the state, Nick Colon, and top middie Brett Angerer (Army).
o Key Wins: Winter Springs (12-6), Lake Mary (15-3), Bishop Moore (7-5).
o Key Losses: St. Andrews (3-21), Gulliver Prep (9-13), Bolles (4-8).
District 1 Winners (playing @ District 2 Winners – Jacksonville Episcopal, Next Game – Tues., April 14th):
- Lawton Chiles High School Timberwolves (9-5):
o Athleticism, Fight, and Desire. First team in Tallahassee to ever beat the Maclay School in Tallahassee Lacrosse history. May not be the biggest team on the field but these dogs know how to fight! If you haven’t been to a lacrosse game in Tallahassee, then you truly don’t know what a rivalry is. Four teams (Chiles, Leon, Lincoln, and Maclay), 200+ fans in the stands every game, and hatred between the schools. The team is led by seniors Perry Dube (A), Zac Gregg (A/M), Garrett Ifland (LSM/D), Colin Smith (LSM/D), Mike Walker (M), and Patrick Thorsson (G). The best thing going for Chiles is that no one really knows about them, Zac Gregg would be on the top of everyone’s top midfielder list if he were in Orlando, Garrett Ifland would be a threat at the LSM position at any Orlando high school (except Lake Brantley), and Mike Walker is an amazing two-way middie who can play great defense, run the ball down field and stick it top corner in a matter of seconds.
o Key Wins: Maclay (8-7).
o Key Losses: Maclay (5-6 and 4-9), Flagler (8-13).
District 2 Winners (playing District 1 Winners – Lawton Chiles, Next Game – Tues., April 14th @ Home):
- Jacksonville Episcopal High School Eagles (15-1):
o Groundballs, Face-offs, and Coaching lead to wins and championships. Joey Sapora is the only thing I know about Episcopal. What I know is that he is an All-American face-off guy. If anyone thinks that it isn’t that big of a deal, that a face-off guy doesn’t mean anything towards success, please read anything about Alex Smith, Danny Brennan, Chris Cercy, and etc. Face-offs = Possession. Possessions = Goals. Face-offs after Goals = More Possession for more Goals. Any Questions?
o Key Wins: Lyman (14-4), Maclay (10-4), Boone (minus Dallas Humphreys, 11-6), Bolles (9-6).
o Key Loss: Bolles (7-10)
District 6 Winners (w/First Round Bye – Play winner of District 4 vs 5, Next Game – Friday, April 17th):
- Apopka High School Blue Darters (12-4):
o Athleticism, Physicality, and Inexperience. Ask anyone in the NCAA Basketball tournament how dangerous some of the teams from the weaker conferences can be dangerous. They are unknown, under-scouted, tend to be unorthodox in their schemes, and loaded with athletes. They have a first round bye and can watch Winter Springs and Lake Brantley beat up on each other.
o Key Wins: Ocoee (12-9), Olympia (11-8), West Orange (14-9 and 11-9).
o Key Losses: Hagerty (7-10), Trinity Prep (6-7 OT), Timber Creek (5-27), Lake Brantley (4-17).
District 4 Winners (playing @ District 5 Winners – Lake Brantley, Next Game – Tues., April 14th):
- Winter Springs High School Bears (11-4):
o Face-offs, Ball Control, and Takeaways. Swarthmore signee Peter D’Amore leads the Bears into a high intensity game after defeating Flagler in the District 4 Finals in the last seconds. D’Amore will be the player to watch, he has the ability to control every face-off and score seconds later. Look for Lake Brantley to make sure that D’Amore doesn’t move an inch on the field without Jesse Bernhardt on hip. Winter Springs features a control offense on one end and a takeaway defense on the other.
o Key Wins: Lake Mary (9-7), Olympia (12-3), Flagler (14-10 and 11-10).
o Key Losses: Lake Highland Prep (10-20), Lake Brantley (2-12), Nease (6-12), Lyman (8-9 OT).
District 5 Winners (playing District 4 Winners – Winter Springs, Next Game – Tues., April 14th @ Home):
- Lake Brantley High School Patriots (17-1):
o Defense, Team Speed, and Physicality. If you want to watch a team who is scary to watch when a player becomes isolated by a defenseman, then Lake Brantley is the team to watch. Featuring the best defense in Florida since Lake Brantley’s Class of 2002. University of Maryland signee (joins brother Jake on the Terps) Jesse Bernhardt is a starting college D1 LSM talent playing against high school middies. Every check he throws look like it is an illegal slash or body check. However, there are all violently accurate. He has quite possibly the best stick skills in the state for any position and is unnaturally athletic (a starting LB for the Patriots football team). The team speed on defense is the fastest I have ever seen and the team is loaded with athletes. The only difference between this team and the 2002 Patriots was goalie talent was better that year.
o Key Wins: Bishop Moore (11-3), Winter Springs (12-2), Winter Park (8-4), Bolles (19-7).
o Key Loss: Lake Highland Prep (12-13 3OT).
I apologize to Gulliver Prep, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and Vero Beach. I was unable to see any of your games and do not want to write anything arguably wrong against any of the teams.
District 12 Winners (w/First Round Bye – Play winner of District 10 vs 11, Next Game – Friday, April 17th):
- Gulliver Preparatory School Raiders (17-2):
o Key Wins: St. Thomas Aquinas (12-3), Bishop Moore (14-3), Lake Highland Prep (9-7), Nease (13-9), Kinkaid (TX) (8-6), Winter Park (17-4).
o Key Losses: St. Andrews (6-16), Archbishop Spalding (MD) (5-11).
District 10 Winners (playing District 11 Winners – St. Thomas Aquinas, Next Game – Tues., April 14th @ Home):
- Saint Andrews School Scots (20-0).
o Talent, Coaching, and Intelligence. To say the Scots were not the favorite to win the state would be an insane statement. SIXTEEN STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS TOTAL AND EIGHT OF THOSE IN THE LAST TEN YEARS! Try to argue against the true awesomeness that is the Saint Andrews lacrosse team. Coach Goldberg has been continuously be teaching, nurturing, and perfecting the best talent in the state every year. Eight members on this year’s team will be playing division lacrosse (Johns Hopkins, Army, Dartmouth, Yale, Brown, Trinity, Merchant Marine, and Wentworth Tech). They have the ability to win every face-off with FO/GO Blake Sufferling (Army). To score from the midfield with Shane McHugh (Brown), Lee Coppersmith (Johns Hopkins), Michael Lipin (Yale), and stop every shot they face with goalie Bernie Susskind (Dartmouth) in the cage (if you saw how good their backup played verse Lake Highland Prep you would be amazed that the future in the cage there was only an 8TH GRADER!!).
o Key Wins: Nease (21-3), Bolles (18-0), Lake Highland Prep (23-3 and 12-9), Gulliver Prep (16-6), Archbishop Spalding (MD) (18-13).
o Key Losses: Everyone in the state has been impatiently waiting for one for years…
District 11 Winners (playing @ District 10 Winners – St. Andrews, Next Game – Tuesday, April 14th):
- Saint Thomas Aquinas High School Raiders (11-6):
o Key Wins: Pine Crest (15-9 and 9-7), Cardinal Newman (10-7).
o Key Losses: Gulliver Prep (3-12), Lake Highland Prep (11-7), Bishop Moore (3-17), Pine Crest (9-13).
District 9 Winners (w/First Round Bye – Play winner of District 7 vs 8, Next Game – Friday, April 17th):
- Vero Beach High School Indians (11-6):
o Key Wins: Ponte Vedra (9-8), Melbourne Central Catholic (5-4).
o Key Losses: St. Andrews (2-23), Melbourne Central Catholic (7-14 and 7-9), Benet Academy (IL) (6-8).
District 7 Winners (playing @ District 8 Winners – Lake Highland Prep, Next Game – Tues., April 14th):
- Bishop Moore Catholic High School Hornets (11-6):
o Ball Control, Finishing Shots, and Takeaways. Bishop Moore, their worst enemy and biggest ally are themselves. They can play extremely well one day and fall down the next. Coach Hogan will need to ensure that the better of the two show up for another matchup on Tuesday with Lake Highland Prep. The Hornets feature and extremely well coached and talented offense led by Josh Haushalter, Tyler Auger, and Zak Cervasio and backed by a tremendous defense known for their takeaway abilities and ability to push the ball to the cage with Trey Darr and Robby Williamson. Look for Bishop Moore to try and slow the game down and keep the ball out of Lake Highland’s hands.
o Key Wins: St. Thomas Aquinas (17-3), Lake Highland Prep (17-13).
o Key Losses: Lake Brantley (3-11), Gulliver Prep (3-14), Winter Park (8-11), Timber Creek (10-11), Bolles (16-17 OT), Nease (5-7).
District 8 Winners (playing District 7 Winners – Bishop Moore, Next Game – Tues., April 14th @ Home):
- Lake Highland Preparatory School Highlanders (14-4):
o Talent, Ball Control, and Style. Lake Highland Prep has replaced Bishop Moore as the most disliked team in Central Florida, they can beat you with their excellently coached offense or their transition game. They are known for their flashy style of play featuring everything from stick fakes to behind-the-back shots and passes to the hidden ball trick on occasion. A talented offense led by George Proechel (St. Leo), David Vaughn (Wesleyan), Alex St. Laurent (Washington & Lee), and face-off/middie Brian Rotatori has the ability to dodge one-on-one or find the open cutter. They are seeking revenge for their loss to Bishop Moore earlier in the year.
o Key Wins: Winter Springs (20-10), Lake Brantley (13-12 3OT), St. Thomas Aquinas (17-11), Winter Park (12-6), Timber Creek (17-15 and 13-9 OT).
o Key Losses: Gulliver Prep (7-9), St. Andrews (3-23 and 9-12), Bishop Moore (13-17).
I hope everyone enjoyed my first blog on OrlandoLacrosse.com, if I missed some information I apologize. Especially to Vero Beach, Gulliver Prep, and Saint Thomas Aquinas for not knowing much about them. Feel free to send me messages on www.twitter.com/OrlandoLax and let me know of any current lacrosse information for the Orlando/Greater Central Florida.
OrlandoLax
