USA Lacrosse High School Boys' Players of the Week

The USA Lacrosse Players of the Week recognize the most outstanding individual performances in high school boys’ lacrosse in each of the five regions — Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, Midwest and West — outlined in our high school coverage.

NORTHEAST

Jake Spallina, Mt. Sinai (N.Y.)

His older brother Joe was Mr. Score Everything in a record-setting career at Mount Sinai (N.Y.) before heading off to Syracuse. Jake Spallina is Mr. Do Everything for the Mustangs this year as he showed in his team’s 3-0 week to remain undefeated on the season. In a 4-2 victory over rival Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.), a 12-1 win over Islip (N.Y.) followed by a 12-5 victory over Massapequa (N.Y.), the Syracuse commit won 42 of 47 faceoffs, had eight goals and five assists and played lockdown defense, rarely leaving the field.

“He simply refuses to give up and never stops working,” Mount Sinai coach Harold Drumm said. “He is exceptionally dynamic with a very large skillset that is extremely difficult to defend.”

Also notable: Owen Duffy, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.); Andrew Girolamo, Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.); George Hawley, Fairfield Prep (Conn.); Tyler Moore, Connetquot (N.Y.); Daniel Picart, Pleasantville (N.Y.)

— Dylan Butler

MID-ATLANTIC

Brody Atkinson, St. Paul’s (Md.)

Atkinson, a senior attackman for the Crusaders, helped St. Paul’s move to fourth place in the MIAA A Conference with a pair of wins. Atkinson scored four times and dished out two assists in a 14-8 win over Mount St. Joseph. Then, in a matchup of teams coming in with two conference losses, Atkinson had a hat trick and an assist as St. Paul’s stunned St. Mary’s (Md.) with a convincing 14-8 win. Atkinson is helping the Crusaders vie for a playoff spot after they missed out last year before he continues his career at Mount St. Mary’s. St. Paul’s has won six of eight games heading into their April 28 game against second-place McDonogh (Md.).

Also notable: Spencer Ford, Boys’ Latin (Md.); Ian Murphy, Marriotts Ridge (Md.); Michael Ortlieb, Malvern (Pa.); Aidan Seibel, McDonogh (Md.); Jackie Weller, St. John’s (D.C.)

— Justin Feil

SOUTH

Ryan Ahern, St. John Paul Academy II (Fla.)

In a regional quarterfinal against American Heritage-Plantation (Fla.), Ryan Ahern showed off his offensive and defensive prowess. The junior midfielder scored four times and added two assists. He also had four ground balls and forced two turnovers in the win. He has been a consistent factor for St. John Paul Academy II as he has compiled 11 straight multi-goal contests. He leads his squad with 71 points.

Also notable: Landon Baker, Lake Highland Prep (Fla.); Vinny Layne, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.); Jack Schulte, St. Andrew’s (Fla.); Ayden Turner, Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.)

— Justin Boggs

MIDWEST

Tommy Janowicz, Upper Arlington (Ohio)

The Golden Bears had a stellar weekend against out-of-state competition and Tommy Janowicz was a major reason why. The junior tallied five goals in a 13-9 victory over Trinity Louisville (Ky.) and then notched two goals and two assists in an 11-8 win over Salesianum (Del.).

Also notable: Johnnie Guttman, St. Xavier (Ohio); Leo Izquierdo, St. Viator (Ill.); Jonah McConnell, Forest Hills Central (Mich.); Luke McNamara, Rockhurst Jesuit (Kan.); Hunter Polonkey, Brother Rice (Mich.); Magnus Violet, St. Xavier (Ohio)

— Jonah Rosenblum

WEST

Buck Cunningham, Valor Christian (Colo.)

The junior made 12 saves to help Valor Christian preserve a 13-6 win over Legend (Colo.), which went into the game unbeaten. The Eagles had a big second quarter, but Cunningham and the defense helped fend off Legend’s attempts at a comeback.

Also notable: Ian Dykes, Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.); Luke Fox, Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.); Tristan Jewell, Mater Dei (Calif.); Ollie Nolting, Cherry Creek (Colo.); Max Ripple, St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.)

— Laurel Pfahler