Face-off time: Teams, players to watch for 2024 high school lacrosse in Northeast Florida
BOYS LACROSSE
Teams: 5 to watch
Bolles
Could this be the year for the Bulldogs? Denied at the finish by Boca Raton St. Andrew's in last year's Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1A final, Bolles is determined in 2024. Gavin Boree (83 goals, 42 assists), Daylin John-Hill (81 goals, 74 assists), and Parker Kane (72 goals, 11 assists) are college-bound with High Point, Jacksonville University and Florida Tech as their destinations. There's also strong support behind them, including J.D. Matson (Washington & Lee) and Nate Towers (Iona).
Episcopal
A young Eagles team took flight last year to qualify for the Class 1A semifinals in a 13-7 season. Much of that lineup is back, including junior top scorer Tre Carter (43 goals, 39 assists), sophomore attack duo Robert Adams (31 goals, 25 assists) and Sam Ogletree (35 goals, 15 assists) and sophomore goalie Jude Kobrin. A few incoming transfers further boost Episcopal's hopes.
Nease
A 15-5 team a year ago, the Panthers are building their foundation around the faceoff. That's where Detroit Mercy-committed senior Conner Kunce leads the team, recording 169 ground balls and a 68.1 faceoff percentage as a junior. Junior Brandon Strout had 28 ground balls and 18 caused turnovers, and junior Nik Perkins assumes a greater attacking role after scoring 12 times in 2023.
Ponte Vedra
This is one of the top lacrosse lineups in North Florida. Already signed for college are goalie Jack Pelot (Penn), defenseman Tanner Parlette (Stony Brook) and long-stick middie Egan Funke (Oberlin), with more likely on the way. Canon Hauseman (34 goals) and sophomore J.P. Dolan (23 goals) are the top returning finishers on a lineup that's scheduled to take on powerful opponents from Georgia, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
St. Augustine
The Jackets won 15 games a year ago and join a crowded playoff hunt in St. Johns County. Cooper Lyles and Dylan Cook, both seniors, are key returners on defense. A young attack, meanwhile, keeps on growing with the junior trio of Luke Law (30 goals, 18 assists), Nolan Rodriquez (18 goals, 11 assists) and Mason Taylor (26 goals, 11 assists).
Players: 5 to watch
Kalan Berkman, Sr., Bartram Trail
An attacker with a proven scoring touch, Berkman tallied 30 goals and 12 assists last year for the Bears. Bartram Trail's athletic lineup should cause problems for opponents, including football standouts Sergio Lanzas, Danny Edwards and Julian Porter.
Zac Heilmann, Sr., Fletcher
An all-around valuable player on faceoffs and more, the midfielder is a Senators team captain whose junior year produced 83 ground balls and a faceoff percentage of 74.2%. He also contributed four assists.
Jacob Henley, Sr., Providence
Beyond high school, Henley has signed to play college lacrosse at Florida Southern. The midfielder recorded 22 goals, 19 assists and 52 ground balls in 2023 for the Stallions.
Braxton Lee, Jr., Creekside
Lee turned in an impressive sophomore year with 16 goals, 34 assists and 44 ground balls. The Knights went 14-6 in 2023, qualifying for the regional semis before encountering the buzzsaw that was eventual Class 2A champion Lake Mary.
Ty Teschner, So., Fleming Island
This attacker didn't need long to make an impact, scoring 20 goals and 11 assists in his first year of high school action. He's a top scoring option in front of a midfield that includes North Greenville signee Brady Goldblatt.
2024 BOYS LACROSSE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATIONS
District 2-2A
Atlantic Coast, Bartram Trail, Creekside, Fletcher, Mandarin, Nease, Ponte Vedra, Sandalwood
District 3-2A
Beachside, Flagler Palm Coast, Fleming Island, Gainesville Buchholz, Gainesville, Matanzas, Ocala Forest, St. Augustine, Tocoi Creek
District 3-1A
Alachua Santa Fe, Father Lopez, Gainesville Eastside, Gainesville Oak Hall, Menendez, Newberry, Ocala Trinity Catholic, St. Joseph
District 4-1A
Bolles, Episcopal, Fernandina Beach, Paxon, Providence, Riverside, Stanton
GIRLS LACROSSE
Teams: 5 to watch
Bartram Trail
Is it repeat time for the Bears? Florida commit Ryann Frechette has one more year to add to the already-dizzying numbers from a career that could enter the books as Northeast Florida's greatest ever. The reigning Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Lacrosse winner scored 135 goals last season, and the Bears also return Colgate commit Maddie Stevens in goal. Freshman Esa Brenneman is one to watch in Bartram Trail's next wave.
Bolles
Young and climbing fast, the Bulldogs won 14 games last year and enter the new season as the prime challenger to Episcopal for top honors within Duval County. Sophomore Anna Giordano is coming off a particularly successful 56-goal campaign in 2023, while junior Eve Surface and sophomores Avabelle Hubbard and Abbey Wohlgemuth all scored 20 or more last year.
Creekside
Yet another playoff contender in a talent-rich St. Johns County. Creekside brings back extensive experience in attack with the senior combination of Natalie Charyak and Brooke Manghisi, committed to Kennesaw State and Queens University, respectively. Also headed for the next level is St. Thomas signee Hailey Josleyn, who scored 25 goals and 19 assists last year.
Episcopal
Hopes are high for the regional finalist Eagles, coming off a 16-6 season and loaded with elite returners. Junior Maeve O'Neil (67 goals, 21 assists, committed to George Washington) junior Bella Vitulli (30 goals, 14 assists, committed to Kennesaw State) and Lilly Melograna (61 goals, 14 assists) combine in an exceptional attack, while Brooke McCoy (43 goals, 20 assists, school-record 135 draw controls) and Payten Cree (37 goals, 15 assists) shine in midfield.
Ponte Vedra
Class 1A semifinalists last year, the Sharks should contend again. Seniors Lily Toole (53 goals, 14 assists) and Lily Mosser (24 goals, 6 assists), committed to Anderson and South Florida respectively, are already signed with colleges and juniors Addy Paul, Aubrey Schmidt and Lamb Toole are headed for Lynn, Embry-Riddle and Towson. Only a single-goal loss to Lake Highland Prep kept them from the state final.
Players: 5 to watch
Ashley Cotter, So., Tocoi Creek
She delivered an instant impact as a freshman, recording 52 goals, 14 assists and 94 ground balls. Watch for further advances this year as the Toros take on a tough District 3-2A.
Ashley Gray, Sr., Sandalwood
The Saints ended the regular season at .500 last year, and while they're missing some key contributors from last season, they will bring back Gray and her 25 goals.
Mikayla Kimsey, Sr., Mandarin
The University of the Cumberlands is her college destination following National Signing Day. Kimsey enters the year as a third-year starting goaltender on a Mustangs team that's usually among the best in the Gateway Conference.
Avery McAlister, Sr., Fletcher
A key senior in midfield or a defensive role, McAlister signed with Georgetown College this week and leads a Senators team that qualified for the Class 2A regionals last year before losing to eventual champion Bartram Trail.
Cassidy VanderMark, Jr., Menendez
Agile in attack, the junior is already a member of the 100-goal club with two years of high school lacrosse still to come. She's scored more than 50 goals in each of her seasons with the Falcons.
2024 GIRLS LACROSSE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATIONS
District 2-2A
Atlantic Coast, Fletcher, Mandarin, Nease, Sandalwood
District 3-2A
Bartram Trail, Creekside, Flagler Palm Coast, Gainesville Buchholz, Ocala Forest, Tocoi Creek
District 2-1A
Bolles, Episcopal, Paxon, Providence, Riverside, Stanton, Wolfson
District 3-1A
Beachside, Fleming Island, Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine, St. Joseph
District 4-1A
Alachua Santa Fe, Gainesville, Gainesville Eastside, Gainesville Oak Hall, Matanzas, Menendez
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school lacrosse: Northeast Florida top teams, players to watch
