Feedback on Next Level Lacrosse?

[Anonymous]

The Next Level gents are stand up guys who provide quality coaching and care about the kids. A few years ago they seemed to want to become a MD answer to Madlax/VLC/BW. That might have happened but for the emergene of DC Express. DCE has so far only produced one quality class - 2021s. If NL didn't exist, they'd dip into that NL talent pool and no doubt have a few more competitive classes. NL's 2021s are a decent lot, but are 2-3 star players away from being able to really compete. DCE has those 2-3. Shame. Really want to see MD suburban teams be in the same category as those across the river. Unless the two merge, or one implodes, I just don't see that happening.

[Anonymous]

The 2023 NL team just reached the semifinals at the World Series of Youth Lacrosse. The 2020 team is a top 10 2020 team nationally, maybe top 5. That being said, the program definitely focuses on development. Coaches are all solid grown up people.

[Anonymous]

I don't know what year your son is, but the 2028 NL team is very good.

[Anonymous]

I don't know what year your son is, but the 2028 NL team is very good.

[Anonymous]

DCE 2022 are very strong too. Beat Madlax last week and have strong wins this summer over teams like the Hawks and BBl.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son was at the summer camp the other week. We really liked the guys in charge, and my son learned a lot from the camp counselors. My son wants to try out for the club team. Other parents have been pushing us to the VA clubs saying they are more competitive. We are a MD family, and have a favorable impression of Next Level through the summer, but we can make the trip across the river if that's where the best teams are. So is there a measurable difference between Next Level and those VA clubs?

What school grade is your son entering?

[Anonymous]

Did Next Level just merge with a PG county team?

[Anonymous]

Yes. It’s very exciting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did Next Level just merge with a PG county team?

Yeah with PGLC. They are going to field Next Level-Prince George teams next year for 2024s and 2025s based in College Park. There will still be the regular NL 2024 and 2025 teams based in Bethesda. Seems like an interesting merger. Gives NL additional depth because of the PGLC rec league and could funnel PG players with talent at a young age to the main NL teams. At the same time, IDA and the PGLC guys get some of the NL infrastructure. Probably won't make much difference for the middle and high school teams, but long term could give NL a pipeline of additional players. Certainly it isn't likely to affect the balance of power in the short run.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. Merger with Prince George lacrosse gives next level a pipeline of rec players more on par in numbers with BLC. Time will tell whether that results in stronger teams. NL is trending upward with its youngest teams. Hard to say if that will translate into better older teams down the road.

[Anonymous]

Do the Mitchell's own Next Level? Or the facility? Or both or neither?

[Anonymous]

They own Next level lacrosse, not the facility.

[Anonymous]

I think the merger is great for the Mitchell’s but not awesome for the kids in the Next Level pipeline. I’d rather not have my son be part of an experimental expansion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the merger is great for the Mitchell’s but not awesome for the kids in the Next Level pipeline. I’d rather not have my son be part of an experimental expansion.

I can't imagine that much will change for the NL folks. Their program is well established. If anything the PGLC kids will be impacted the most.

[Anonymous]

Unless they add additional club teams down the road, there will be more kids vying for the same number of slots. Granted NL hasn't traditionally had the best programs in older years, but still.