Back of THE CAGE Forums NEW JERSEY LACROSSE NEW JERSEY MAIN FORUM Top Boy's Club Teams in New Jersey

Many of the post raise valid points, but the comparison is a little complicated, as this post notes, because clubs like BBL, Tri-State, Bluestar, etc. all have well developed youth programs, LE has always struggled at the youth level. The key for these clubs is to retain the top level players that they developed and not lose them to LE. As these teams continue to excel at the high school level, the kids will not be so quick to jump ship for LE. Also, as noted in earlier comment, the draw of the club director/high school coach is a a very powerful hammerhead.

Isn't there an NJ rule that high school coaches can't coach their players in the off-season? If so how is Tri-State doing it?

Not an expert on the topic by any means, but I believe that it is permitted when school is not in session. Many high school coaches are affiliated with clubs, so it must be permitted. I think that concern is a high school team playing together under their coach off-season, which is not really feasible for club lacrosse due to the grad. year separation.

Yes, there are good players coming out of mad dog, but not enough to make LE a top team. The point is that kids aren't coming from far and wide to join LE because the other clubs are better at development and have started to catch up on recruiting. Before early recruiting, LE had the advantage there. That's gone. Plus, they have no affiliation with high school teams which will continue to minimize their pool of players. They will still be a good option for some kids but their model isn't going to sustain itself over the long run.

What is the goal of travel lacrosse? Wins and Losses or getting your kid into the right University.
The LE model works and will continue to work, it's not for everyone or the only option.
Regarding an affiliation with a high school team. 10+ 2025 kids are enrolling at Delbarton in the Fall. I guess they aren't going to be a top team in a couple of years.

I know that Delbarton is a great program, but why do so many kids (and their parents) see that as the end-all for lacrosse. I would imaging that more than half of the kids going to Delbarton for lacrosse (and I am sure that it is a lot) will never see the field in a varsity game. If LE is such an amazing recruiting machine, why not go to a high school where you have a better chance of playing meaningful minutes and just leave your future in the hands of LE.

Dude, you are all over the place. First, you say LE has no affiliation with a high school team, they look to be building one with the best high school program in NJ and now you are saying the kids will never see the field. Just say you have something personal with LE and let's move on.

6+ of those kids will probably get cut, then what?

Dude, this was a different person.

Different posters. The point is that, if a person feels strongly that LE will get their kid recruited, why not just go to a high school with a decent program, be one of the top kids, and get tons of playing time. I realize that playing for a top club and a top high school is probably the best route, but getting meaningful time at Delbarton is tough with the competition, likewise with SHP.

The one thing people are forgetting is the kids going to these high schools from Leading Edge and BBL will probably commit early in their junior year as long as they are good enough. BBl and LE directors will get them recruited so who cares about what high school they play for. Most will commit way before their Junior year Varsity season even begins.

I wouldn't say "most". Less than half will.

My son graduated two years ago, was recruited to play in college, and was on Leading Edge. He had fun but I would say there was nothing that club provided that any other club could have. There's no magic club. Just let your kid play and they will be found.

Top 10 NJ High School teams?

Unfortunately, you can say this until you are blue in the face. So many people think that there is the perfect formula with the right club, high school, showcase, etc. The best player(s) from LE, Tri State, Riot, Bluestar, BBL etc., are all going to top tier division 1 schools. The real issue is grades. If you have lousy grades, it makes the recruiting process a lot more difficult. Look at how many gifted players end up going to lower level D1 colleges because they didn't have the grades for a better school.. College coaches do not want to take a risk on a kid that is just going to be a headache with academics, whether because it hurts the overall team GPA for indexing, or because the kid may end up being academically ineligible.