The spring lacrosse season may have just ended, but the sport is a year-round activity for many student-athletes.
Here's a look at the top five girls' lacrosse sticks for high school athletes:
1) DeBeer Rapture head on FLX shaft: This is a stick that has it all. In the girls' lacrosse game, where pockets aren't as deep as in the boys' game, pocket depth is extremely important to keep the ball from falling to the ground.
Excellent pocket depth is perhaps the main reason to pick up the Rapture head, and I see a lot of girls putting it on the FLX handle because of the lightweight feel. The only downside is that this stick may be out of some people's price range, as it sells in the $180-200 range.
2) STX Cruz 10: STX has been a leading brand in girls' lacrosse for decades.
I always feel comfortable making an STX purchase, and this stick fits right in with the rest of the top-quality items provided by this company. Selling in the $150 range, this one is essentially an intermediate-level stick, perhaps for someone who wants to make the jump from the beginner level.
The Cruz 10 is perfect for elite shooters, as the angled scoop and low sidewall provide for accurate shots on net with a nice whip.
3) Brine Pixie Stick: This is a great stick for beginners who are still learning the fundamentals of the game, and for a price of less than $30, how can you go wrong?
What sets this item apart is the bright design and cute pink colors, which is always a hit with young girls. When it comes to actual features that can help you in a game, the Brine Pixie has a wide-faced head for easier catching ability.
4) STX Guardian Goalie Stick: The STX Guardian is easily the top girls' goalie stick. The features absolutely blew me away, as this stick has a nice wide open sidewall that keeps wind resistance at a minimum and provides great lightweight comfort.
Combined with an STX AMP aluminum handle, girls are going to have a tough time scoring goals against athletes with these sticks. It's $119.99 sticker price seems reasonable.
5) Under Armour Illusion: I was a bit skeptical when Under Armour jumped into the lacrosse stick game, but the Illusion model should have Brine and STX shaking in their boots.
For $89.99, this stick is easily one of the best model for the price. It has a lightweight 4.1 ounce head and a pocket lock system that eliminates lace breakage. Perhaps the best feature is the odd scoop angle, which helps pick up ground balls with ease.
Eric Holden has been covering Long Island high school sports since 2009. He was a sideline reporter for the MacArthur Lady Generals girls' lacrosse team in 2012, and covered the Nassau County championship game that featured the No. 1-nationally ranked Garden City Lady Trojans. Follow him on Twitter @ericholden.
