2026 Boys - Madlax or DCE?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should Next Level really be overlooked at this age band?

Definitely not. They are well coached and a classy program. If your son wants to play at an elite level there are four teams worth considering (VLC, DCE, MadLax and NextLevel). The right fit depends on factors that are unique to each player and family.

I think if you're a good player (or think you are, not always the same thing) on Madlax/DCE/VLC and you want more playing time, you'd want to consider NL. There's a good core of players but not a lot of depth on the 2026 team. It's a small roster and could probably add up to ten new players. Went 0-7 in Elite so not sure if they'll be in that division in 2022, but they played some good teams pretty close. The addition of 4-5 good players in midfield and attack could changes things pretty quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should Next Level really be overlooked at this age band?

Definitely not. They are well coached and a classy program. If your son wants to play at an elite level there are four teams worth considering (VLC, DCE, MadLax and NextLevel). The right fit depends on factors that are unique to each player and family.

I think if you're a good player (or think you are, not always the same thing) on Madlax/DCE/VLC and you want more playing time, you'd want to consider NL. There's a good core of players, but not a lot of depth on the 2026 team. It's a small roster and could probably add up to ten new players. Went 0-7 in Elite so not sure if they'll be in that division in 2022, but they played some good teams pretty close. The addition of 4-5 good players in midfield and attack could changes things pretty quickly.

I agree Next Level is very well coached, but not enough talent. The issue they will face in August is their top talent on black ops will leave for DCE if they get offers. Just heard their goalie who is on the monuments team will be joining Madlax.

[Anonymous]

Good point, but DCE has invited so many players that it will be hard to meet playing time expectations. Some good players will not get on the field at all, and some of the "great" players (and/or their Dads) will be annoyed that they are not getting their due. If DCE succeeds in locking down the Black Ops players in August, watch for a rebound effect in January of players leaving DCE to disperse to the other three.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should Next Level really be overlooked at this age band?

Definitely not. They are well coached and a classy program. If your son wants to play at an elite level there are four teams worth considering (VLC, DCE, MadLax and NextLevel). The right fit depends on factors that are unique to each player and family.

I think if you're a good player (or think you are, not always the same thing) on Madlax/DCE/VLC and you want more playing time, you'd want to consider NL. There's a good core of players, but not a lot of depth on the 2026 team. It's a small roster and could probably add up to ten new players. Went 0-7 in Elite so not sure if they'll be in that division in 2022, but they played some good teams pretty close. The addition of 4-5 good players in midfield and attack could changes things pretty quickly.

I agree Next Level is very well coached, but not enough talent. The issue they will face in August is their top talent on black ops will leave for DCE if they get offers. Just heard their goalie who is on the monuments team will be joining Madlax.

I doubt this is true. None of the core NL players are leaving for DCE or ML.

[Anonymous]

Last year NL built up their 2026 team with a lot of reclassed 2024s. Is the expectation the same will happen this year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last year NL built up their 2026 team with a lot of reclassed 2024s. Is the expectation the same will happen this year?

You meant to write the 2025 team was built up with a lot of reclassed 2024s, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year NL built up their 2026 team with a lot of reclassed 2024s. Is the expectation the same will happen this year?

You meant to write the 2025 team was built up with a lot of reclassed 2024s, right?

No idea how old anybody is other than my own kids but in the last pre-covid Hoco season (2019), Crabs went 1-6 in 2026 Elite. NL went 0-7 in 2025 Elite.

At the end of this season (Spring 2021), Crabs went 6-1 in 2026 Elite, NL went 6-2 in 2025 Elite.

That's either some stellar coaching and player development, or something else entirely. You guys are smart enough to draw your own conclusions.

[Anonymous]

Yes, meant to write 2025 NL team was re-built with 2024 re-classes. And yes, same thing absolutely happened with 2026 Crabs team this past year. My expectation is we will see more of this over the summer with more 2026 teams including 2025 re-classes. The Crabs just got a head start.

[Anonymous]

There is nothing mysterious or surprising, it is a known part of the landscape that a lot of lacrosse players reclass in 7th and 8th grade. The big four (NL, ML, VLC, BLC/DCE) will look different in the fall due to movement among them, plus re-classes.

[Anonymous]

Which of the Big 4 is shaping up to be the strongest after the re-shuffle?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which of the Big 4 is shaping up to be the strongest after the re-shuffle?

Black Ops which will be a top team that translate to BLC/DCE w/ Black Ops aka some VLC kids. Those current BLC kids will be looking for clubs so lots of reshuffling for sure but the parity I think will be the same as we will have two tops teams and the same results. Just kids looking for a new voice and new colors. If ML keeps core kids and picks up one or two kids in key positions my guess it will be ML and BLC/DCE/BO at the top.

[Anonymous]

could be right, but I think VLC is going to be really strong. I think a bunch of BO folks are going to end up there from the other clubs.

It's all sideline whispers and rumors now but at least sounds like VLC is really recruiting some good talent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which of the Big 4 is shaping up to be the strongest after the re-shuffle?

Who cares - all of local programs are pretty good at a national scale. If you constantly leave a based on who is 'stronger' you'll always be on the outside looking in, never integrating into a team

Black Ops which will be a top team that translate to BLC/DCE w/ Black Ops aka some VLC kids. Those current BLC kids will be looking for clubs so lots of reshuffling for sure but the parity I think will be the same as we will have two tops teams and the same results. Just kids looking for a new voice and new colors. If ML keeps core kids and picks up one or two kids in key positions my guess it will be ML and BLC/DCE/BO at the top.

To the above poster, come July, MadLax will be losing a handful of kids based on what I've heard on the sidelines and regardless that CM made families pay for fall in advance. And because of this https://deadspin.com/hey-ungrateful-quitter-emails-from-an-angry-lacrosse-660703941. That said, those kids will likely go to DCX or VLC as those programs have the best coaches and core nucleus to build off.

Of course there will be kids who reclass which always add an interesting dynamic for families to consider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is nothing mysterious or surprising, it is a known part of the landscape that a lot of lacrosse players reclass in 7th and 8th grade. The big four (NL, ML, VLC, BLC/DCE) will look different in the fall due to movement among them, plus re-classes.

When you say lot of lacrosse players reclass, do you mean actually repeat 7th or 8th grade? Solely to improve their positioning for lacrosse? I've heard of folks delaying entry to kindergarten or 1st grade to be the oldest in their grade, but are folks really having their kid repeat middle school grade just for club/private school lacrosse reasons? Guess I'm a little naive but can't imagine how parents explain to kid or others when they ask...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, meant to write 2025 NL team was re-built with 2024 re-classes. And yes, same thing absolutely happened with 2026 Crabs team this past year. My expectation is we will see more of this over the summer with more 2026 teams including 2025 re-classes. The Crabs just got a head start.

My kid is is 2026 not on Crabs but knows several kids that are. Don’t think they got reclassified kids this spring but they are expecting them to show up for this year’s tryouts. They did cut a bunch of kids last summer and brought in new players.