State high school teams dominate national rankings
Maryland high school boys lacrosse teams are back in the spotlight this year.
Led by St. Mary’s, Gilman and Calvert Hall -- the top three teams in the country according to LaxPower -- the area looks more like the top hotbed in high school lacrosse once again after a couple years of less-than-dominant status.
Boys Latin is listed at No. 6 after two New York teams -- West Islip and Skaneateles -- and Georgetown Prep is listed seventh, even after an 8-3 loss to No. 44 Delbarton (N.J.) last weekend. The Little Hoyas have played 13 games, with only that loss and a 9-6 defeat against No. 2 Gilman.
Here is a link to the LaxPower national rankings for high school boys lacrosse.
Remember, this is done by a formula, so Gilman is ranked behind St. Mary's despite beating them a couple weeks ago. In my opinion, Gilman is No. 1. I thought they were last year, too. I can’t wait to see Calvert Hall play, but I have not had an opportunity to watch the Cardinals this season.
With the No. 8 and No. 9 teams -- Conestoga and Academy New Church -- Pennsylvania has a strong showing in the national rankings. Long Island (N.Y) powerhouse Shoreham-Wading River rounds out the top ten in the list.
That’s the good news.
The bad news is Maryland doesn’t have another team ranked in the top 45 teams in the nation. St.Paul’s is listed at No. 46, Loyola is 48th and Landon is 65th. McDonogh ranks 68th on the list, followed by Calverton at No. 70 and the first public school from the state -- Severna Park -- at No. 76. South River is at No. 80 and Mt. St. Joseph comes in at No. 120.
I think the data is harder to analyze as you move farther down the list. For example, my alma-mater Dulaney, whom I haven't seen play this year, is ranked 433rd in the nation.
Balderdash!
I’ll take bets against the 100 teams in front my Lions on the list. Dulaney isn’t alone, however.
Connecticut’s New Canaan is incorrectly ranked at No. 415, and Severn (10-3) is better than No. 296. I’ll take them over Loyola Academy (Ill.), who is 4-3, at No. 118. I watched Loyola Academy lose to Georgetown Prep, 12-1, and can tell you, they would not fare well against Severn. I’d like to see a Severn vs. Georgetown Prep matchup. That would be a game.
So, you can see that the source is flawed, but it’s still great to see Maryland teams at the top again.
Current LaxPower Top 10
1. St Mary's 7-1
2. Gilman 6-0
3. Calvert Hall 6-1
4. West Islip (N.Y.) 5-0
5. Skaneateles (N.Y.) 2-0
6. Boys' Latin 8-1
7. Georgetown Prep 11-2
8. Conestoga (Pa.) 8-0
9. Academy New Church (Pa.) 4-2
10. Shoreham-Wading River (N.Y.) 2-0
Comments
The lax power rankings are a complete joke.
As someone who supposedly knows lacrosse, I am surprised that you give them so much consideration.
The Inside Lacrosse rankings are also quite flawed, but much, much more realistic than these computer rankings that often don't take head-to-head results and overall records into consideration.
Also, if you think there are 15 - much less 50 - teams that can beat SP and Loyola, you're probably wrong.
Posted by: What is the What | April 16, 2009 11:37 AM
The Laxpower computer rankings are not worthy until late in the season when the database provides better numbers on which to make national rankings. Then a coach's poll is added at the end of year to determine a final national ranking that, I believe, is superior to Inside Lacrosse's poll. IMO, Gilman is number one, not St. Mary's.
Posted by: Sec3inMD | April 20, 2009 12:08 PM
That sounds great about the top teams are from Maryland. Keep in mind those teams are all private schools with kids all over Maryland on the team. The top teams on LI are all Public Schools other than St. Anthonys and Chaminade the kids live in the towns for which they play for. Show me where there is a much talent in one area other than Long Island.
Posted by: Anthony liucci | April 23, 2009 2:48 PM
It's always nice to see the Towson Generals ranked 93rd and Dulaney ranked 433!
Posted by: Pict THS71 | April 23, 2009 2:49 PM