Can Iona Prep three-peat?
That’s the biggest question entering the season surrounding the Gaels, who have won back-to-back state titles (the first in the school’s history).
How does Iona look heading into the CHSAA season? What are some of the Gaels’ big crossover games this year?
You can find that out — and more — as we get the perspectives of two of the team’s top players, senior midfielder Ben Borsellino and senior attackman John Castellano.
First up is the 5-11, 190-pound Borsellino, a three-sport standout bound for Western New England College.
Here’s Ben’s perspective on the season.
What have you been doing to get ready for the season?
I have been busy with basketball, but I try to get wall ball in as much as I can to keep my stick skills going, and walking around my house with my stick with me so I don’t lose my feel on the stick.
How does your schedule look, including scrimmages, and what games are you looking forward to?
Our schedule this year is going to be very competitive. We play schools that are ranked, and have highly ranked players on the teams. This is exactly what we want. We want to prove to the lacrosse world that Iona Prep is not a joke and we can hang in there with the top teams and compete. The games I am looking forward to are the St. Anthony’s, Chaminade, Rye and John Jay games. These are the games where we can prove ourselves that we can compete with the best.
What players on your team do you think will surprise some people this season?
There are many good players on our team, but I think Luke Wooters and TJ Bonci will surprise many people with their play. Luke is a very small attackman but knows how to create plays. TJ is a great defender, he will play good defense not taking many risks to go for the big stick check and stay in front of his man. He is also not afraid to lay body on his slides.
What do you think the strength of your team will be this year?
The strength of our team this year will be our offense. We have many players who know how to create and get the ball in the goal.
How do you view the race in the CHSAA and who do you think the contending teams will be?
The race in the CHSAA will be very competitive, but we have confidence we can win it. In our division it will come down to us and Fordham. After that all of the Long Island teams will all be up for winning the championship.
* For more info on Ben, check out his player profile by clicking here.
Iona Prep 2011 schedule
Scrimmages
Mon 21-Mar Mount St Michael Home 4:00
Wed 23-Mar Mamaroneck/ Hen Hudson Away 4:00
Fri 25-Mar White Plains Home 3:45
Mon 28-Mar Yorktown Away 4:30
Tue 29-Mar Staples Away 4:30
Sun 10-Apr Mayor’s Cup Away
Regular season
Thur 31-Mar Monsignor Farrell Home 4:30
Fri 1-Apr Somers Home 5:00
Tue 5-Apr Fordham Prep Home 4:30
Thur 7-Apr Rye Home 4:30
Tue 12-Apr Stepinac Away 4:30
Thur 14-Apr Chaminade Away 4:30
Fri 15-Apr Don Bosco Away 7:00
Thur 21-Apr Kellenberg Memorial Away 12:00
Wed 27-Apr CBA – Albany Away 3:00
Fri 29-Apr Holy Trinity Home 1:00
Tue 3-May St Anthony’s Home 4:30
Thur 5-May Fieldston Home 4:30
Sat 7-May St Peter’s Prep Away 2:00
Tue 10-May Fordham Prep Away 4:30
Thur 12-May Bergen Catholic Home 4:30
Sat 14-May John Jay Home 1:00
Tue 17-May St John the Baptist Away 4:30
Thur 19-May Stepinac Home 4:30
* For schedules for teams from throughout the region, be sure to check out the “Schedules galore” thread, and scroll down to the comments portion for the most recently released schedules.
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Posted In: CHSAA lacrosse, Player's perspective
Castellano is one of the best attackmen in Section 1
State titles?
Have a great year Big Ben. Good luck to you and the team!
Always a pleasure watching Ben playing – pure hustle and heart!
I agree Ben is a rugged player who helps the team in many ways.
Went to HS, MT ST Micheal 69-73 with a Ben Borsellino, can this be his son? If so Coongratulations Ben, you must be very proud of your son.
Bens father did go to mount st michael this is his son
Good Morning Tim!
Lax Ben is the son of Ben Borsellino Mount St. Michael ’73. Do you have a son who plays as well?? Jean
Hi Ben, Hi Jean,
Mt St Micheal Class of `73. I remember Ben. My son plays for Oneonta State. He played 2 Seasons with Kennedy Catholic in Somers, then 2 Seasons with Putnam Valley in High School. Thats where he played with the Sons of 12Rock. He`s in his Senior Year at Oneonta. I`m involved with the local youth travel club Team. My son came close to going to Western New England (It was actually our second choice)Young Ben will love it there, it`s a great School and Coach Klepacki seemed like a pretty decent guy. A friend of mine`s Son plays there, and he can`t say enough good things about the program. Good luck to Ben in his senior year, and just wait until you see the College games, they`re the greatest.
Joe Lombardi- Will you forward my e-mail address to the Borsellino`s? I`d like to continue this conversation. Thanks
odd as this may seem , but i knew a T. Kelly from that area that moved to Putnam . We use to call him T.T.K. (twinkle toes Kelly)due to his dance style and the way he swept his wife off her feet when they meet. not to mention i heard his son was a big Lax guy at a SUNY school. Could this Be one in the same ?
Despite having to play on that carpet, glad Rye/PV still gonna play this season!
Now, you know I can dance.
That’s interesting. It’s definitely a small world.