PIAA BOYS LACROSSE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET

CARLISLE VS RADNOR

May 28th, 6:00pm Exter Twp. High School

HERSHEY vs AVON GROVE

May 28th, 6:00pm, West Chester Henderson High School

(Previews after the jump)

CARLISLE (18-3) vs RADNOR (15-5)
The Herd is coming off a program defining victory over Wilson West Lawn last Thursday to become the first ever Mid Penn program to win the District III tournament. They advance on to states for the fourth time and third consecutive season. All three previous trips saw them gain a first round victory and advance to the second round where their runs would end. This team has been doubted through out the post season and still managed to win all four district games in convincing fashion. We would not bet against them tomorrow evening.
    If they can continue to play solid in all aspects of the game they stand a chance to compete with the best in the state. It starts with senior attack-man Max Breschi. Breschi has played remarkably well the past two weeks and showcased a level of skill and athleticism necessary to lead a team on a post season run. Carlisle players will be the first to tell you that after Breschi they have a number of options who can score and are very unselfish in terms of who will be involved offensively. We  have seen Collin Wallace, Jon Mundell, Hunter Scott, and now Drew Amsley (who had a stand out game in the district finals) all embrace the role of offensive threat. Defensively they have as good setup as anyone out there. Excellent D-Middies, long poles, and an outstanding keeper in Mark Bowser give them the pieces to advance.
     The Red Raiders hail from District 1 and are from the King of Prussia area. They won the Central League while falling in the semi-finals and then the consolation game for a fourth place finish in the District 1 playoffs. At 15-5 with a 96.3 laxpower.com rating this will be a very high quality opponent for the Herd to open up against. Looking over their schedule, and reviewing some of the more difficult Philadelphia area opponents, it is apparent they have faced and defeated some quality schools. The Herd will have their work cut our for them. Fortunately their is no better staff at preparing for an opponent than Coach Kidder and Breschi.

HERSHEY (20-3) vs AVON GROVE (17-4)
Just a couple weeks ago the Trojans were the darlings of the Mid Penn. They had just avenged a mid season loss to the Herd to claim their 3rd Mid-Penn title in 4 seasons. They were advancing through districts with ease and then Carlisle seemed to snatch the headlines from Hershey by advancing from the semi-finals to win District 3. Hershey would go on defeat Manheim Township convincingly 10-3 to claim third place in the district playoffs and setup their 3rd trip to the state tournament. Still in search of their first state tournament win they will face a very difficult Avon Grove squad coming off their second straight District 1 title.
     The recipe for Hershey is very clear. Establish their offense early and get Wilson, Briggs, and Calhoun in rhythm from the first whistle on. When the attack can work to the cage and setup close looks at the net they are a dominant club. By the same token if a defense can take this away they seem to struggle and settle for lower percentage looks. Sophomore Karl VanBlargen is an excellent player already and if he can continue to step up he betters their odds. Their defense played well through out the post season and Gazzio, Donahue, and Kondracki in net will need to keep this up on Wednesday. As we have said all year in big games Dave Sickler is one of, if not the, best players in the Mid Penn and he can determine how far Hershey goes almost single handily. If he is able to be a force on ground balls and create opportunities in transition the Trojans have a solid chance at getting their first State playoff victory.
    The Wildcats bring in a 97.9 laxpower.com rating ( to Hershey's 96.9) and are clearly a very talented squad from a hotbed of lacrosse. Their schedule shows a team that regularly competes with the best in the state and after winning the Chester-Mont National Division and their second straight District 1 title as a 5th seed it is clear Hershey will have challenge on their hands tomorrow night.