Torrey Pines (Calif.) climbed into the national rankings with an impressive 2019 campaign and remains the team to beat in the West region, but some other perennial powerhouses in Colorado and California could challenge for that top spot.
*US Lacrosse Magazine recently released its Nike/US Lacrosse High School Boys' Preseason National Top 25. Check it out here.
1. Torrey Pines (Calif.)
Last season: 20-2
The Falcons claimed their second straight CIF San Diego Open Division state title with a 12-4 win over La Costa Canyon (Calif.) and finished ranked No. 16 nationally. West Player of the Year and standout defender Marco Napolitano graduated with a class of eight college-bound players, but seven starters return, including senior attackmen Blake Erlbeck (Syracuse) and Christian Rasmussen (Brown), junior attackman Dewey Egan (UNC), senior midfielders Miles Botkiss (Harvard) and Teagan Bultman (Brown) and senior goalie Bobby Gavin (Virginia).
2. Cherry Creek (Colo.)
Last season: 18-2
The Bruins are coming off their seventh state title, as they beat Kent Denver in the championship game during a snowstorm to avenge one of their regular-season losses. Cherry Creek returns seven starters and 25 of 36 players from that championship squad, including senior defenders Jack Kinney and John Adams, senior midfielders Luke Rios and Dante Orlando, junior middie Mack Till and senior attackmen Morry Stein and Aidan Burke.
3. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.)
Last season: 17-4
The Wildcats won the West Catholic Athletic League title and returned to prominence last year following a bit of a down turn in 2018. A strong core of players who saw valuable minutes return; however, just four starters are back following the graduation of a talented senior class. Senior attacker Wells Bligh, senior middie Joey Celentano and junior defender Duke Reeder are expected to lead as St. Ignatius reloads for another season.
4. Kent Denver (Colo.)
Last season: 15-4
The Sun Devils return a solid core from last year’s state runner-up team, especially with depth on defense and attack; however, they have some holes to fill in the midfield and need to show improvement on the faceoff X in order to compete with the best of the best. Kent returns top scorers Maxwell Hewitt (41 goals and 30 assists last year) and Brandon Bergner (42 goals and 21 assists), as well as standout midfielder/attacker Payton Lester and defenders Pace Billings and Joey Waldbaum.
5. San Ramon Valley (Calif.)
Last season: 17-2
The Wolves looks to bounce back after the 2019 season ended in disappointment. After collecting a big win over St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) in late April, they had some momentum going into the CIF North Coast Section Division 1 playoffs as the top seed but opened with a 12-11 upset loss to eighth-seeded De LaSalle. SRV has plenty of talent coming back, including seniors such as midfielder Jered Kenny (Tufts), defender Alex Strauch and attackman Carter Strauch.
6. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.)
Last season: 18-4
The Gators fell to St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) in the WCAL championship last year, but they return nine starters and should contend again. The defense especially looks strong as every player from the unit returns, including three Division I commits. Leading the team this season will be senior midfielder Wilson Weisel and senior defender Alex Bean, as well as junior midfielders Ben Ramsey and Billy Barnds and junior defenders Cav Williams and Paul Barton.
7. La Costa Canyon (Calif.)
Last season: 15-6
The Mavericks return just three starters from their 2019 CIF San Diego Open Division runner-up team but should reload with another talented group. Coach Kevin Cooper said he has a cohesive squad with several leaders, but LCC will need to improve its team defense and faceoff work to reach the next level. Top players include the senior trio of goalie Hunter Binney (Dartmouth), midfielder Trey Kockler (Swarthmore) and attackman Heath Nilsen (MIT), not to mention junior midfielder Noah Beacham (Maryland).
8. Loyola Los Angeles (Calif.)
Last season: 16-8
The Cubs were unable to defend their 2018 Southern Section title last year as they fell to St. Margaret’s in the final, but they bring back six starters and have plenty of depth, especially in the junior and sophomore classes. Los Angeles Player of the Year Owen Gaffney (50 goals, 26 assists) returns, along with defender Shane McAusland, attackman Alex Horowitz and midfielders Matt Garvey, Preston Barnes an Matt Gottfried.
9. Arapahoe (Colo.)
Last season: 14-3
The Warriors made an early exit in the postseason last year but players gained valuable experience and will be battle-tested. The midfield and attack positions are deep and will carry the team early as a young defense jells, but Arapahoe could take some lumps with tough competition in March, including games against Torrey Pines and La Costa Canyon. Senior midfielder Trevor Douglas (Furman) and senior attackman Josh Carlson (Denver) headline the returners.
10. Lake Oswego (Ore.)
Last season: 16-4
The Lakers got hot at the right time and won 10 straight games to claim the Oregon state title, and they seek to pick up where they left off. Attackman Jonas Hunter (Vermont), who led with 73 goals and 47 assists, midfielder Marshall McGuire (Syracuse) and defenders Connor Willihnganz and Henry Sorenson are part of a strong 14-player senior class that seeks to guide Lake Oswego in its title defense.