YES I would agree .... hearing TWO 8 th graders looking at going to HILL academy instead of Garden City hs or Chaminade..
Since the conversation brought up the future of LI HS Lax (7th - 9th).
If you have played on the travel circuit you know the reason why any LI town team cant win a travel summer game at the highest level. Whether it be (some of the bigger youth programs) Massapequa, Garden City, Syosset, CSH, Manhasset, Smithtowns, Ward Melville, SWR, ESM, Bay Shore, West Islip... the list goes on and on...
The biggest obstacle to towns playing travel is the reclass issue. I have been fortunate enough to have candid conversations, with Sweetlax, Laxachusetts, Crabs and Dukes parents. They reclassify to get their child the edge. To me each parent I spoke to had a very good player but on age they might just be okay. Not trying to make this a reclass thing of right or wrong. It is what it is and unless in a private school you will not see it so prevalent. So LI public schools don't stand much of a chance out there. a Diamond in the rough sure. but not like days of yesteryear.
HOWEVER THOSE THAT TRY CHALLENGING THEMSELVES WILL BE MUCH BETTER FOR DOING IT. YOU MAY NOT WIN, BUT IS IT ONLY ABOUT WINNING IN THE SUMMER?. They reclassify to get an edge......an edge on what? 12.9 equivalent scholarships, that's what!!! Amazing!!!
