Plenty of Movement, 3 New Teams in Nike/USA Lacrosse HS Boys' Top 25

The first update to the Nike/USA Lacrosse High School Boys’ National Top 25 since the preseason comes with a multitude of moves.

While the Northeast Region is just beginning action, there were just enough games between other regions to spark movements. Brunswick (Conn.) remains at the top, but the next six spots have all adjusted led by red-hot McDonough (Md.) and St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), whose win over Culver (Ind.) was an early matchup of superpowers. St. Mary’s climbed significantly with an unbeaten start, and Academy of the New Church (Pa.) put itself on the map with a win over St. John's (D.C.). Academy of the New Church is one of three teams to slide into the Top 25, along with Haverford (Pa.) and Loyola-Blakefield (Md.).

The Northeast had no change in its makeup of the Top 10 and only a slight adjustment in its order. A loss by previous No. 6 Garden City (N.Y.) to No. 9 Mt. Sinai (N.Y.) dropped the Trojans four spots. Chaminade remained in the Top 3 despite a home loss to St. Anthony’s, which started the season ranked a spot ahead already. The action in the region heats up this week.

In the Mid-Atlantic, very little remains intact from the preseason. Defending MIAA A champion McDonogh (Md.) picked up where it left off to take over the No. 1 spot as one of only three unbeatens in the Top 10. St. Mary’s (Md.) has also looked sharp early. Academy of the New Church (Pa.) is the surprise of the early spring. The region appears set up for a grind again with Boys’ Latin (Md.) and Georgetown Prep (Md.) already suffering two losses apiece, and Calvert Hall (Md.) is just outside the Top 10 now after three losses. New Jersey is set to kick off its schedule this week to add to the foray.

Lake Mary (Fla.) leads the way in the South Region with an unblemished record, though standard bearer St. Andrew’s (Fla.) is also playing well. St. Mark’s (Texas) made a big climb as it continues to streak. Four new teams entered the Top 10 with Bolles (Fla.), Middle Creek (N.C.) and Benjamin (Fla.) already registering double-digit wins and St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) at nine wins.

The Midwest Region is just getting fully underway. Culver (Ind.) has played its usual strong schedule and performed well. Behind are four early unbeatens. The one newcomer to the Top 10 is No. 10 Carmel (Ind.), which is off to a 5-1 start. MICDS (Mo.) also has a loss among Top 10 teams.

Three new teams entered the West Region rankings. Cherry Creek (Colo.) put together a pair of impressive wins to jump to No. 5. Loyola Los Angeles (Calif.), and Bishops School (Calif.) shares a similar story with early losses to some of the region’s top teams before accumulating several big wins that justify a Top 10 ranking. St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) remains unbeaten at the top with a pair of Colorado schools just behind. 

NIKE/USA LACROSSE HIGH SCHOOL
BOYS’ NATIONAL TOP 25

Also considered (alphabetical order): Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.), Delbarton (N.J.), Fairfield Prep (Conn.), Gonzaga (D.C.), Massapequa (N.Y.), Mountain Lakes (N.J.), Radnor (Pa.), Salesianum (Del.), St. Andrew’s (Fla.), St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.), Seton Hall Prep (N.J.), Severn (Md.), Staples (Conn.)