BOTC - US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums MID-ATLANTIC LACROSSE MARYLAND FORUM Boys 2023-8th Grade Fall 2018/Summer 2019

The Hawks picked up a holdback goalie at 2023? Why? The goalies they had were amazing. Why would they pick up a holdback that wasn’t even all that great to begin with. They did that at the 2022 level last year as well.

FCA added 2022 holdbacks and cut on age players from last year. The ones I'm aware of include a middie from 91 and several middies and attack from Crabs. Maybe they also cut some kids who were kindergarten holdbacks, but they added a number of 8th grade holdbacks.

I do agree that the advantages of an extra year (not "a few months") are beginning to fade at this point. But to discount the advantages it gives these kids (and their parents) ignores reality.

The holdback apologists all give the same songs and dances. Everyone knows it is a good advantage while young and gets less and less as the boys get to higher HS grades and college.

What would you rather have, a bunch of good 19 year old HS players or a bunch of good 18 year HS players. Obvious answer to any HS coach.

Most studies say around 19-21 is about the end of physical differences in boys. Not talking about Puberty growth, talking about bulk weight and weight training development.

The holdback apologists all give the same songs and dances. Everyone knows it is a good advantage while young and gets less and less as the boys get to higher HS grades and college.

What would you rather have, a bunch of good 19 year old HS players or a bunch of good 18 year HS players. Obvious answer to any HS coach.

Most studies say around 19-21 is about the end of physical differences in boys. Not talking about Puberty growth, talking about bulk weight and weight training development.

One thing about this age group and area is that there are no Virginia teams with the "holdback/re-class" issue. The best are a notch below the elite teams but in Virginia it is just not a "thing" players do. Will this level the playing field in the years to come?

Now we know you are lying. I am 46 years old and found I am much better at gaining bulk and weight now than I was when I was 19-21

Now that tryouts are complete, will there be any changes to the rankings at 2023? Which teams improve the most? Any team go backwards?

Now that tryouts are complete, will there be any changes to the rankings at 2023? Which teams improve the most? Any team go backwards?

Who cares? It’s all about all star and national teams now. Local club teams are the new rec, with elite being the travel teams and the rest being house teams.

How many "out of state" (Virginia does not count) players on the roster for Hawks and MLDCD?

Zero for the Hawks - Virginia and the District included. All MD boys... mostly from within a 25 mile radius.

This just in:

August 21, 2018 by Edward Lee Contact Reporter Baltimore Sun:

The Johns Hopkins men's lacrosse team is a surprise announcement informed the media the head coach Dave Pietramala is leaving the Hopkins program to coach the Zingo's 2023 team. "It has always been a dream of mine to capture a HOCO league title." The often emotional coach struggled to keep it together after sharing the news with players this morning. The often labeled "best defensive coach on the planet" will be reclassing two top 2022 players along with some current Blue Jay's in an effort to make a claim to belong in the Elite division.
According to ESPN lacrosse analyst Quint Kessenich, this could be a lucrative deal for coach Petro as he understands team fees in excess of $20000.00 per player will be waived for children of coaches. "Although the team fee may seem excessive it is only a 10% increase and includes a great gear package." from Zingo management. ESPN and the Baltimore Sun reached out to form Hopkins great Paul Rabil for comment, "What the heck is a Zingo?"
Editor's note: adding one zero to the current 2000.00 team fee is not a 10% increase.

Quint's physique > Nutjob Zingos d coach physique

Brian King Sr and his son are coaching this year. I heard that the Lax World coach's son is moving to an elite team. It's Towson because the "Greene Turtle Towson" bar sponsors them.

Who cares? It’s all about all star and national teams now. Local club teams are the new rec, with elite being the travel teams and the rest being house teams.

This is the age that some boys will hit puberty separate from the later bloomers. My kid is on age 2023 (Turns 14 this December) and he's 5'11" 145lbs and had to start shaving last year. I'm sure most who see him on the field think he is a "holdback" or "pre-first" and neither are the case. Looks can be deceiving so stop judging and look for the best experience for your son. The "best" team is where a player enjoys playing and is driven to improve, not necessarily the one with the best record.

This is the age that some boys will hit puberty separate from the later bloomers. My kid is on age 2023 (Turns 14 this December) and he's 5'11" 145lbs and had to start shaving last year. I'm sure most who see him on the field think he is a "holdback" or "pre-first" and neither are the case. Looks can be deceiving so stop judging and look for the best experience for your son. The "best" team is where a player enjoys playing and is driven to improve, not necessarily the one with the best record.

Brian King is GT 2023 coach. His son Brian is assistant.

In a lot of ways that is the way Youth lacrosse is going. It is anything goes. From the unlimited holdbacks and out of state players.. The final result will be youth all star teams with players from everywhere competing any whatever they want..leagues, tournaments, etc. Another sad way of youth lacrosse direction

...
Is Freedom a National team?

2023 AA update. Info provided mainly by my 13 year old and a know it all neighbor:

Hawks: No info other than they were really good last year, well coached and other than a couple kids, weren’t very big. Chances are they added some good players and others will hit puberty
Club Blue: Now part of Madlax and my sons says best players from Next Level are jumping ship to DC Dogs. Maybe caught up to Hawks on paper.
Crabs: Righty attackman back down from 2022. Lefty rom 22 Roughriders and lefty from Looneys make up all star attack. Only 1 ball… A few departures including top midfielder and middle of roster guys.
FCA: Maybe biggest jump in talent as they picked up the aforementioned Crabs players plus 22 reclasser from 91
Looneys: Lost their best offensive player to Crabs. Rumor has the former Crabs lefty returning to Looneys.
Next Level: Could be tough going if they lost top players to DC Dogs
BLC: Turn into DC Express. Got no info
91: Maybe marginally better but will be tough sledding in elite division

2023 AA update. Info provided mainly by my 13 year old and a know it all neighbor:

Hawks: No info other than they were really good last year, well coached and other than a couple kids, weren’t very big. Chances are they added some good players and others will hit puberty
Club Blue: Now part of Madlax and my sons says best players from Next Level are jumping ship to DC Dogs. Maybe caught up to Hawks on paper.
Crabs: Righty attackman back down from 2022. Lefty rom 22 Roughriders and lefty from Looneys make up all star attack. Only 1 ball… A few departures including top midfielder and middle of roster guys.
FCA: Maybe biggest jump in talent as they picked up the aforementioned Crabs players plus 22 reclasser from 91
Looneys: Lost their best offensive player to Crabs. Rumor has the former Crabs lefty returning to Looneys.
Next Level: Could be tough going if they lost top players to DC Dogs
BLC: Turn into DC Express. Got no info
91: Maybe marginally better but will be tough sledding in elite division

Freedom is not a national team.

From what I understand, the top two teams in 2023 have a few older birthday's (PRE K) but did not add to what were already top teams with 2022 players re-classing. They are basically the same teams as last year. Crabs who took a step back last year and may have added one or two 2022 players. Going into this season:
Who is bringing in out of state players? Team 91? why would any parent book a flight for a team with no HOCO wins in two seasons?
There are national tournaments. Teams like True and Duke's advertise this so I do not see this as an issue. True could not win without a few locals. Madlax had a National team that would loose by 10 goals or more if they played the local Madlax team. The Virginia teams have little impact as they are spread among three or four teams. Other than the MM championship and the Naptown event, not much impact from "national" teams. Most teams get players from within a 25 mile radius. Is Freedom a National team?

Freedom is definitely a national team now. They have several good local kids from Philly but the rest are Dukes Nationals kids from all over the country. Not to mention their guest players that show up.

Zingos will be much improved. Defense wins championships.

Sweet - we're allowed to post again!