Northwest Invitational: An Interview with Montgomery Bell's Coach Harvey

Montgomery Bell's Head Coach took a moment to catch up with Walax about their West Coast swing all the way from Tennessee to Seattle for the Northwest Invitational.  Suprisingly, Coach John Harvey relates similarities to the Lacrosse environment in Seattle.  Though Issaquah went to Georgia last year, this is the furthest south a high school Lacrosse program has EVER travelled to Seattle.  Read on to find out why this trip was important to Coach Harvey and his 3-0 Lacrosse team and learn a little about him as well.

Walax: How many teams compete for the state championship in Tennessee?
Each year, there are about 10 teams that compete for the Division 1 State Championship, and about 20 teams that compete for the Division 2 State Title.  Divison 2 is more of a Developmental League, with goal being to move up to D1. 

Walax: Does Montgomery Bell compete outside the South regularly?
Yes, We have traveled to Texas, Ohio, Washington DC, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky in the last few years.  This year we have 17 games on our schedule and 9 games are against out-of-state teams.  One from IL, one from IN, two Atlanta, 3 WA, 2 KY

Walax: What was the draw to come to Seattle in March for your team?
I have been very impressed with the rapid growth of lacrosse in the northwest.  I have had relatives who moved to Portland, OR, and they raved about the love for lacrosse out there.  Moving to Nashville, and an area with a ton of potential for growth,  I love traveling to places where lacrosse was not a traditonal sport, but has taken over because the kids just love it.  I have seen that in Ohio, Texas, Florida, and West Coast.  I think it is great for our boys to see how great the lacrosse is around the country and that you do not need to be from a traditional NE location to play good lacrosse and play in college. 

Walax: What game are you looking forward to most?
All 3, we can not wait.  I will never take my team on a Spring Break trip where there is not a chance we can loose all of our games.  We need to play better teams to improve ourselves, and we will have to play our best games to compete at all with these guys. 

Walax: Where do you hail from? Did you play in college?
I am from Darien, CT where I grew up.  I went away to high school in Rhode Island, and then played at UVA for 4 years from 97-01. Worked in Boston for 2 years after college in real estate.  I have been at MBA for 6 years where I teach history and coach ice hockey and lacrosse. 

Walax: Who is the strongest player on your team to watch?
Our goalie Bailey Brandon is a very strong player #16 and a returning all-state player.  George Curtis(3), Clay Adams(22), and Kile Garrett(12) would be our top returning short sticks