Bucks County high school lacrosse: 12 things to watch for in upcoming district playoffs
The PIAA District One Class 3A girls' and boys' lacrosse tournaments begin Tuesday as several Bucks County area teams try and advance to the PIAA tournament, which starts in early June (the district title games will be held May 29).
The District One Class 2A boys' and girls' tournaments begin Wednesday while the Philadelphia Catholic League starts its boys' and girls' tournaments later this week (except for Lansdale Catholic girls, who began play Monday).
Here are 12 things to watch for in the district playoffs:
Boys
1. La Salle High aiming for PIAA title
The Explorers are the top-ranked team in Class 3A in the PIAA and their lone loss, against 17 wins, came against nationally ranked Malvern Prep in early May. La Salle, out of District 12, last won a PIAA title in 2019. Seniors Matt Wills and Stevie Davis, both University of Pennsylvania commits, hope to snag another state title.
2. Pennridge looking for return trip to PIAA tournament
The Rams qualified for the PIAA Class 3A playoffs for the first time in school history last season. They enter districts this year seeded fifth with a 15-3 record.
3. Other Bucks County area teams in boys' District One Class 3A tournament
Joining the Rams in the Class 3A district tournament will be No. 6 Central Bucks West; No. 8 Souderton; No. 10 CB East; No. 13 CB South; No. 18 Council Rock South; and No. 20 CR North.
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4. Holy Ghost Prep lone Bucks County team in D-1 Class 2A tournament
The Firebirds (8-9) are the only Bucks County team that qualified for the eight-team Class 2A event. They enter as the seventh seed.
5. Returning district, PIAA lacrosse champs raring to go
What a difference a year makes. Well, when it comes to the top of the heap teams, that's not really the case.
For instance: In Class 2A boys, defending PIAA king Marple Newtown is the top seed in the PIAA District One tournament.
In Class 3A boys, three-time defending PIAA champion Radnor is tough yet again. The Raptors recently took La Salle High to triple overtime before falling 10-9.
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6. Can Bucks County teams make the cut?
The top six finishers in the District One Class 3A tournament qualify for the PIAA tournament. In Class 2A, only the top two finishers make it to states.
In District 12, just the Class 3A champ moves on to states while in Class 2A, the top two finishers make the PIAA tournament.
Girls
1. Can Upper Moreland repeat its district success?
The Golden Bears are the top seed heading into the PIAA District One Class 2A tournament and are out to make a second straight trip to the PIAA tournament. Junior midfielder Annalise Messina, a Rutgers commit, leads the way for the Golden Bears.
2. Pennridge looking to make state girls lacrosse field
The eighth-seeded Rams are the only area team not in the PIAA District One Class 3A play-in round.
3. Five other Bucks County area teams in Class 3A field
The Rams are joined in the district tournament by 11th-seeded Pennsbury; 13th-seeded Central Bucks West; 15th-seeded Council Rock North; 23rd-seeded Abington; and 24th-seeded Council Rock South.
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4. New Hope-Solebury, Gwynedd Mercy also in Class 2A field
The Lions are the 13th seed while the Monarchs are seeded 16th. Last year, Gwynedd Mercy placed fourth in districts (losing to Upper Moreland in the consolation final). This year, the Monarchs face Upper Moreland in the first round, so one of the two teams will make a quick exit.
5. A roadblock in Class 2A
In Class 2A girls, three-time defending PIAA champ Archbishop Carroll is the top seed in the Philadelphia Catholic League and the favorite to defend its state crown.
However, in Class 3A, defending district and PIAA champion Owen J. Roberts is seeded 17th in the District One tournament.
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6. Trying to get to states
6. The top seven finishers in the District One Class 3A tournament qualify for the PIAA tournament. In Class 2A, the top four finishers make it to states.
In District 12, just the champion in Class 2A and 3A qualify for states.
Drew Markol covers local sports for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County high school lacrosse: What to watch for as playoffs begin
