2022 HERALD High School Lacrosse Preview
ELMONT Spartans playing a numbers game By JAMIE DEJONG
T
he Elmont boys’ lacrosse team is attempting to establish a new tradition of Spartans lacrosse, but the main buffer in this grandiose plan has been simply getting the resources necessary to compete at a high level. “COVID has absolutely decimated our program,” coach Justin Casano said. “With all the people graduating three-fourths of our team is going to be these kids first time playing.” Considering the general inexperience of the roster, there are not many players who are guaranteed to be stars, but there are a few projected bright spots. One of which is senior Kymani McDonald, who should be huge difference maker on draws. “Kymani is our faceoff guy,” Casano said. “He’s a three-sport athlete. He has potential to play college lacrosse.” Juniors Aaron Michel and Alex Williams should also be strong assets for the Spartans midfield. Sophomore Samuel Simon heads the defense. The main goal for this season is to develop those that should be in the program for a long time, as it would be difficult to implement years of learning into one season. “The whole defense is kids brand new to playing besides one player,” Casano said. “The goalie is a freshman who hasn’t played. The plan is to get these kids experience and hopefully in two years we can compete.” Not everything is gloomy for the state of the program, as there has been significant progress in implementing a youth league, which should make this inexperience of the roster a one-time occurrence.
“I finally got the PAL going which is nice to get 5th and 6th grade going in the community which has been an uphill battle,” Casano said. “It has been an insane uphill battle for the past 11 years that I’ve been here. Us and Sewanhaka are the only two teams in the district that don’t have one.” If any 5th and 6th graders are interested in playing, they should email Kenneth.brown@ nassaucountypal.org.
Elmont displays positive vibe Spirits are certainly high within the Elmont girls’ lacrosse program. Considering the strenuous game conditions COVID
Kymani McDonald
caused the past two seasons, the Spartans are overlooking the subpar records of previous seasons and are simply happy to get a shot to compete. “We are so grateful to even have this year,” coach Kemola Webster said. “I feel like the last two years have been incredibly difficult. We’re in a good place right now. The girls are in good spirits. The energy and dedication are at a very high level.” One potential predicament is simply the size of the roster. Considering only 18 girls are present on the roster, it’s going to take a complete team effort to get meaningful results. As coach Webster stated, “We are such a Orobo Obovoh small unit so there’s going to be a lot people helping out.” Even though it’s going to take a total effort from the first girl to the last to make an impact this year, certain girls have considering we’ve had stood out in the early practices some trying seasons with and the team’s only scrimmage. COVID.” Senior attackman Orobo Ogbovoh, junior midfielder Anaise Novembre, sophomore attackmen Ivie Ihaza, Conference freshman middie Makayla Noel, Schedules and freshman goalie Saradijjne BOYS Simeon have all thrived in the early April going. 13 Glen Cove 5:00 p.m. “Those girls are going to be 22 @ Sewanhaka 4:30 p.m. very big for us this year,” Webster 27 Kennedy 4:45 p.m. stated. May 4 @ Mepham 5:00 p.m. Considering the sheer 6 @ Great Neck North 5:00 p.m. quantity of the roster and how 11 @ New Hyde Park 5:00 p.m. 14 Great Neck South 10:00 a.m. few upperclassmen the team 17 Baldwin 4:30 p.m. possesses, the main emphasis will be learning the fundamentals and GIRLS the progression of the younger March girls. Considering the morale and 25 @ Roosevelt 5:00 p.m. character of the girls on the roster, 30 @ Elmont 4:30 p.m. Webster is confident the girls will April respond positively to the chal5 @ Hempstead 4:45 p.m. 8 Valley Stream 4:30 p.m. lenges this year presents. 12 Glen Cove 5:00 p.m. 14 Freeport 4:30 p.m. “We have a smaller roster 27 @ West Hempstead 5:00 p.m. than we’ve had in a long time May but it’s still a very positive group 2 @ Great Neck South 5:00 p.m. of young ladies,” Webster stated. 4 Great Neck North 5:00 p.m. 6 @ Malv/East Rock 5:00 p.m. “They’re ready to learn and ready to play which is important Photos by Eric Dunetz
18 — April 14, 2022
HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE PREVIEW
HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
