The 2023 Warrior Tryouts, if you want to call them that was a SHAM! The first part of the try-outs were a series of drills for the boys to display their individual skills, this was fine. When the boys were divided into two teams for a scrimmage, one team was made up of 91 Bandit and Express players (A Team), and the other was everyone else. This team is to be coached by Joe Spallina, A.J. Haugen and a couple of other token coaches, so it's interesting that the teams for the scrimmage would be divided this way. Play seemed to be dominated by the team of players from assorted other organizations, so it will be interesting to see how the roster shakes out and how many players from Bandits and Express A make the team, as opposed to some of the other players. My opinion is that the roster was determined prior to try-outs, and this was nothing more then a formality to add some legitimacy to the process. When the try-outs were concluded the players and their parents were asked to gather at the center of the field to hear comments from one of the events coordinators. The group was thanked for coming out and they would know something by Wednesday. They were also told that they had been reviewing film of players from this group that could not physically make the try-outs for over two months. Seriously?, How stupid do these people think we are? For starters, how many sixth graders have film to submit for review? Just another way for the powers to be (91, Express, Outlaws, and the rest of the Long Island Lacrosse Mafia) to justify putting together a team of their choosing, to showcase their own players, and collect some money ($185 per family) from all of the other poor saps that think their son had a legitimate chance to make this team on their own merits. I would Love to see the roster published once this team is determined, with the travel organization each player is from. My guess is there will be few surprises. What a disgrace!
