You know what I’ve been thinking? I heard a lot about the St. John’s Prep lacrosse program coming into this spring – my first in the area. A program with back-to-back championships heading in, I was expecting lots of firepower and, well, togetherness.
That’s exactly what I saw this spring, one that saw The Prep win its third consecutive state championship after Sunday’s victory against BC High. So, yes, this Team of the Week is going to the only local team to win a state championship this spring.
In itself, what an accomplishment it is to defeat the same opponent – powerhouse BC, nonetheless – for three straight seasons. In a game-of-the-year candidate, The Prep squeezed past with a 16-14 win.
Not only was that starpower on full display – Jimmy Ayers with five goals and Jake Vana with four – but they just never quit. The Prep was down 2-0 early and 13-9 after the third quarter, but a seven-goal fourth lifted the Eagles to a dynasty.
From coach John Pynchon – who’s the perfect coaching mix of technique and emotion – to goalie Gavin Kornitsky (6 saves), and everyone down the roster, what a week and season it was for the 22-win Eagles.
Prep, good week, and three years.