Brandon Fortier, former standout player for Eastside lacrosse club and Whittier College and current HS coach, writes the popular Weekly HS Beat for Boys HS lacrosse during the season.

Division One- Preseason Outlook

            The 2003 high school lacrosse season begins with perennial power Bainbridge Island, back on top of Division I.  After being derailed in 2001, the Spartan dynasty reclaimed the state title in 2002 and on paper it seems it may be hard to displace them in 2003.  The other island, Mercer Island, will likely prove to be the biggest challenger.

            After the top two, the rest of Division 1 seems fairly wide open.  Last season saw two new faces in the playoffs in Bellevue and Maple Valley and 2003 might prove to be the same.  After missing the playoffs a year ago, Lakeside will be hungry to return to old form, Nathan Hale is on the rise and 2002 Division II champs the Panther LC is ready to make waves.  Maple Valley and Bellevue have each lost a good crop of talent, but will certainly still be in the mix.  Port Angeles put up a good fight and almost made the playoffs a year ago, however, the Roughriders lost a wealth of talented seniors and may be hard pressed to post the same record in 2003.

PRESEASON ALL-DIVISION I

ATTACK       Luke Larson, SR, Mercer Island                 Kyle Lane, SR, Lakeside

                        Joel Weber, JR, Bellevue                             Joe Picha, JR, Bainbridge

                        David Vanderhoek, SO, Bainbridge             Ryan Johnson, SR, Maple Valley

MIDFIELD    Sam Cameron, JR, Bainbridge                     Tyler Bural, JR, Bainbridge

                        Spencer Evans, SR, Bainbridge                    Armand Gottleib, SR, Nathan Hale

                        Brad Gillis, JR, Mercer Island                     Todd Lynam, SR, Lakeside

DEFENSE      Dylan Preble, JR, Bainbridge                       Ethan Piraino, SR, Bainbridge

                        Dan Aas, SR, Maple Valley                          Andrew Shelton, JR, Bainbridge

                        Byron Masi, SR, Bainbridge                         Ben Wickizer, SO, Mercer Island

GOAL             Charlie Delius, SR, Bainbridge                     Alex Jacques, JR, Bainbridge

TEAM PREVIEWS (IN PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH)

1. Team: Bainbridge Island Spartans

• Colors: Athletic Gold, Royal Blue

• Coach: Jack Visco

• 2002 Finish: 16-0, Division I State Champions

Key Players Lost: A-Adam Smith, M-Jacob Hayashi

Key Returners:  D-Dylan Preble, D-Byron Masi, M-Spencer Evans, M-Sam Cameron, G-Charlie Delius   

Outlook:  To borrow a line from former Syracuse coach Roy Simmons Jr., �We don�t rebuild, we just reload�.  The quote seems appropriate when discussing the Spartans.  Although in this case they barely have to reload as 8 of 10 starters are back and the talent runs deeps.  On paper, there appears no reason to bet against the Spartans.  Besides, the only man to guide a team past Bainbridge in the last 8 years, Jack Visco (Mercer Island �01), is now the Spartans head coach.  Look for Bainbridge to be back in the title game in 2003!

The loss of All-American, Adam Smith, will certainly be felt, but no one is feeling sorry for the Blue and Gold.  Bainbridge returns 4 of the leagues top 20 scorers from 2002.  Senior midfielder, Spencer Evans, is an all around superb athlete and has already signed to play Division I ball at Denver.  The defense is stacked, backed by the league�s two best goalies and a potential All-American candidate in junior defenseman, Dylan Preble

2. Team: Mercer Island Islanders

• Colors: Maroon and White

• Coach: Ian O�Hearn

• 2002 Finish: 10-6,  2^nd Place Division I

Key Players Lost: A-Dan Frankel, D-Jason Chadick, G-Joey Solazzi, D-Connor Webster

Key Returners: A-Luke Larson, M-Brad Gillis

Outlook:  Despite an at times shaky season in 2002, the Islanders still managed to reach the title game.  This season may look very much the same.  It may take the Islanders some time to come together and fill holes left from graduation, but the Islanders are still a favorite to be back in the title game.

Mercer begins the season confident offensively, led by senior attackman, Luke Larson and junior midfielder Brad Gillis.  Larson (who has committed to play for Division III Kenyon College) finished 5^th in scoring in 2002 with 36g, 19a.  Gillis also finished in the top 15 with 30g, 10a. 

The defense is a big question mark due to the graduation of goalie Joey Solazzi and top defender Jason Chadick

3. Team: Lakeside Lions

• Colors: Maroon, Gold and White

• Coach: Tony Olney             Assistants: Anthony Braxton, Troy Neal

• 2002 Finish: 7-7, 6^th place Division I

Key Players Lost: D-Jon Bodansky, M-Colby Emerson

Key Returners: A-Kyle Lane

Outlook:  After missing the playoffs in 2002, the Lions will be hungry to return to winning form.  Unfortunately, they lost a wealth of talent in the midfield losing Colby Emerson and face-off wizard Trevor Watkins.  Losing All-American Jon Bodansky also leaves a huge hole defensively.  Senior goalie Nick Crowson will need to stand tall behind a young defense.

            Senior attackman Kyle Lane is certainly one of the league�s best and capable of scoring 50+ goals.  However, he will need a solid supporting effort from fellow seniors, attackman John Fluke and midfielder Todd Lynam.  Look for Lakeside to be in the mix.

4. Team:  Nathan Hale Red Raiders

• Colors: Navy, Red, and White

• Coach: Chris Long                         

• 2002 Finish: 2-12, 7^th place Division I

Key Players Lost: A-Nate Koppleman, M-Alex Wells

Key Returners: A-Matt Haines, M-Armand Gottleib, M-Kevin Wietz, D-Doug Heineky

Outlook:  The Raiders have a very similar look to Bellevue a few years back.  Remember, Bellevue was 2-12 in �01 before making a solid run in �02.  Hale�s crew is another year older and last year�s lumps may prove to be the experience they need to break through in �03. 

            Senior, midfielder Armand Gottleib, is a solid and proven scorer.  If the defense can hold strong and a few more young guns can step up, look for the Raiders to make a playoff push.

5. Team: Bellevue Wolverines

• Colors: Royal Blue and Athletic Gold

• Coach: Steve Corley              Assistants:  Chris Bergin, Chris Holmes

• 2002 Finish:9-6, 3^rd Place Division I

Key Players Lost: A-Brandon Deal, A-Andy Young , G-Matt Stanley

Key Returners: A-Joel Weber, M-John Gordon, M-Kevin Carter

Outlook:  Bellevue comes off its best season in years, coming within minutes of reaching the title game.  It will be a tough task to repeat the performance in 2003, with nearly every starter graduated.  Bellevue lost 14 seniors!

            Junior attackman, Joel Weber will have to step up big as Bellevue�s biggest scoring threat.  It may be a bit of a rebuilding year for the Wolverines, but look for them to battle for a playoff spot once again.

6. Team: Panthers LC

• Colors: Royal Blue, Black and White

• Coach: Matt Cone                                Assistant: Fred Wilmont

• 2002 Finish: 12-2, Division II State Champions

Key Players Lost: M-Tyler Carr, M-James Bangasser, D-Jerome Zech, D-Nick Heilbrunn, G-Joe Grant

Key Returners: M-Alex Aigner, M-Adam Sangeorzan

Outlook:  The Panthers have flourished in only two year�s of existence, but now must prove they are ready for the big time in stepping up to Division I.  It will be a tough task after losing 12 seniors.  The playoffs aren�t out of the questions, but a very young squad will have to come up huge to get there.

7. Team: Maple Valley Vandals

• Colors: Royal Blue, Black and Yellow

• Coach: Vern Smith                              

• 2002 Finish: 8-7, 4th place Division I

Key Players Lost: A-Brian Johnson, M-Nick Johnson

Key Returners: A-Ryan Johnson, D-Dan Aas

Outlook:  Good News: Ryan Johnson, the league�s 3^rd leading scorer (39 g, 23a) is back.  Bad News: 2 of 3 Johnsons have graduated and it remains to be seen if Ryan can post the same numbers without the help of the other two.

            Defensively, senior Dan Aas is simply an animal and could potentially be the best defender in the league.  Maple Valley always comes hard and 2003 will be no different, but new faces must emerge if the Vandals hope to be in the playoffs in May.

8. Team: Port Angeles Roughriders

• Colors: Green and White

• Coach: Bob Baumstark

• 2002 Finish: 7-7, 5^th place Division I

Key Players Lost: A-Scott Cline, A-Ryan Weed, D-Jim Baumstark, G-Chris Castleberry

Key Returners: M- Ryan Anderson, A-Ryan Gray, D-Keefe McEwan

Outlook:  The Roughriders first year of Division I ball was certainly nothing to be ashamed of.  They were in the mix all season and fell just short of the playoffs.  2003 will be a big challenge though as they loose their top 2 scorers, their best defender and their starting goalie.  Several younger players will be moving up from the �02 Division III team.  Hopefully that experience prepared them well to compete at the Division I level this year.  The playoffs may be a stretch for Port Angeles.

CASCADE LEAGUE PREVIEW

            A new league in 2003, little is known about how the squads will shape up.  However, many of these squads will be comprised of 2002 Division II squads and/or JV squads.  Keeping this in mind here�s a quick take.

            PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

1.      Mercer Island- No Bainbridge to get in the way here.  Last year�s JV, this is a potent squad.

2.      Maple Valley- Division II squad from a year ago.  Winless in DII, but experience will play a factor.

3.      Nathan Hale- Entire program is on the rise.

4.      Bellevue- Almost 60 kids in Bellevue�s program, bound to field a decent squad

5.      Panthers- A wealth of freshman/sophomores.

6.      Curtis- New coach, new split squad, will await results.

7.      Port Angeles- Key players from �02 Div III squad will move up to DI squad, leaving little left.

NEXT WEEK:  Division II Preview