St. Albans lax

[Anonymous]

I think it's pretty clear STA is committed to building the lacrosse program even if it means some tough decisions re: older players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like lots of previous varsity players aren’t returning. Wonder why? Problems with Heeter?

From what I gathered from a few shell shocked and upset parents, the new HC’s priority is to win. If it means shedding a few players who gave their heart and soul to the school and sports program (and previously played varsity) so be it. STA can’t have it both ways. Include everyone only to be saddled with low performing players during practices, or focus on building and hurt the feelings of some kids. I don’t know the right answer. My kid is a soccer player and they cut all the time. Lots of hurt feelings and even tears. I guess that’s a good life lesson? The soccer team does win though.

I have no skin in this game, but he is never going to win playing freshmen in the IAC. Look at the strongest programs: they keep freshmen (who may be skilled, but are typically way too small) on JV and freshmen teams, where they can develop along with maybe less strong players. By the time they're all upperclassmen, they have grown together as a team. Look at Gonzaga and Bullis, almost no freshmen on the varsity field. It's not rocket science.

[Anonymous]

Freshman teams? What schools have these in lax?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Freshman teams? What schools have these in lax?

Gonzaga

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The boys love the no-longer new HC. The assistant who is affiliated with NL is also well-liked, and is deftly using the NL connection to build up both STA and NL. The boys love the sport and the opportunity to play against some of the best competition in the nation. Yes, losing more than winning is not easy. But as they say, that builds character. My son has graduated. He had many great experiences at the school. But bar none, memories of his lacrosse seasons and the bonds he forged with his teammates and coaches are some of his best HS memories.

By that measure the future of the program is good.

How are they feeling about Heeter today?

[Anonymous]

No offense, but honestly the freshman are average players on mediocre club teams. None of them are good enough to play varsity. STA’s varsity will be equivalent to top IAC (and other top caliber programs) JV teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No offense, but honestly the freshman are average players on mediocre club teams. None of them are good enough to play varsity. STA’s varsity will be equivalent to top IAC (and other top caliber programs) JV teams.

I count Next Level, DCE and VLC. Only one missing is Madlax. Voila. Cab, really, you’re no longer the only game in town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Freshman teams? What schools have these in lax?

Gonzaga

Thanks. Do they play other schools JV because I don't think GP or Landon has a team even though they definitely have the numbers to field a freshman team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Freshman teams? What schools have these in lax?

Gonzaga

Thanks. Do they play other schools JV because I don't think GP or Landon has a team even though they definitely have the numbers to field a freshman team.

Just checked GZ's site against GP's and they must play a JV schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like lots of previous varsity players aren’t returning. Wonder why? Problems with Heeter?

From what I gathered from a few shell shocked and upset parents, the new HC’s priority is to win. If it means shedding a few players who gave their heart and soul to the school and sports program (and previously played varsity) so be it. STA can’t have it both ways. Include everyone only to be saddled with low performing players during practices, or focus on building and hurt the feelings of some kids. I don’t know the right answer. My kid is a soccer player and they cut all the time. Lots of hurt feelings and even tears. I guess that’s a good life lesson? The soccer team does win though.

I have no skin in this game, but he is never going to win playing freshmen in the IAC. Look at the strongest programs: they keep freshmen (who may be skilled, but are typically way too small) on JV and freshmen teams, where they can develop along with maybe less strong players. By the time they're all upperclassmen, they have grown together as a team. Look at Gonzaga and Bullis, almost no freshmen on the varsity field. It's not rocket science.

Hester may not win this year but those freshmen are getting invaluable experience playing against top upperclassmen on other IAC teams. The Varsity experience is very different from JV. By the time they are upperclassmen they will be all the better for it. Like a PP said, Hester is building the program up. He is clearly focused on the long term. I say good for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like lots of previous varsity players aren’t returning. Wonder why? Problems with Heeter?

From what I gathered from a few shell shocked and upset parents, the new HC’s priority is to win. If it means shedding a few players who gave their heart and soul to the school and sports program (and previously played varsity) so be it. STA can’t have it both ways. Include everyone only to be saddled with low performing players during practices, or focus on building and hurt the feelings of some kids. I don’t know the right answer. My kid is a soccer player and they cut all the time. Lots of hurt feelings and even tears. I guess that’s a good life lesson? The soccer team does win though.

I have no skin in this game, but he is never going to win playing freshmen in the IAC. Look at the strongest programs: they keep freshmen (who may be skilled, but are typically way too small) on JV and freshmen teams, where they can develop along with maybe less strong players. By the time they're all upperclassmen, they have grown together as a team. Look at Gonzaga and Bullis, almost no freshmen on the varsity field. It's not rocket science.

Hester may not win this year but those freshmen are getting invaluable experience playing against top upperclassmen on other IAC teams. The Varsity experience is very different from JV. By the time they are upperclassmen they will be all the better for it. Like a PP said, Hester is building the program up. He is clearly focused on the long term. I say good for him.

I meant Heeter - autocorrected. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

If they don’t get injured before their Junior or Senior year. And the current freshman at top IAC programs will still be better than them thanks to actual play time, better coaching, and higher caliber of teammates to practice with. Getting pummeled game after game by opposing teams is not going to make the STA freshman top level players. Sorry, bad plan.

[Anonymous]

The old STA geezers (ie, governing board) insist on reliving their Glory Days on the backs (sometime literally broken) of the athletes in the “helmet sports”. The reality is that there has been an awakening in the last 40 years - you need not be a laxer to be cool, matriculate to a good college, marry a Visi gal, maintain your Chevy membership, and make gobs of cash on the Street or in real estate development... you can, egads, be a XC bro or even just a mathlete. Lax bro is so 80s.

[Anonymous]

Agree, bad plan. Last season, Landon, STA & SSAS had the best FOGO’s in the DMV who all went on to D1 programs. The Bears and the Saints both had great seasons. STA’s season was laughable despite the best FOGO so don’t expect any miracles. The DCDogs Freshmen are where it’s at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No offense, but honestly the freshman are average players on mediocre club teams. None of them are good enough to play varsity. STA’s varsity will be equivalent to top IAC (and other top caliber programs) JV teams.

I count Next Level, DCE and VLC. Only one missing is Madlax. Voila. Cab, really, you’re no longer the only game in town.

Except that Cab's 2023 team is the top one in the country...and none of them play for STA. Maybe not the only, but, unfortunately, still the best (and I say this is a former, disgruntled Madlax dad).