Here’s an in-depth look at the Fairfield-area summer travel teams to keep an eye on.
Connecticut Chargers
The Scoop
Run by Darien coach Jeff Brameier (and instructed by longtime assistant Scott Bulkley), the Chargers boast a blend of Lower Fairfield Countys best. Unsurprisingly, the Blue Wave are well-represented but theres a healthy sampling of Greenwich talent, too. The Chargers are likely Connecticuts premier elite team.
On the roster
The Chargers field teams at each age level, separating some of the states premier talent. On the U-18 team, Blue Wave goalie Andrew West is joined by Greenwich attackman Colin Dunster and Brunswick Bruin David Dickson. New Canaans Cody Newton and Prep laxer Mike Carey headline a deep midfield. For the U-17s, poles Eric Parnon (Darien) and Adam Sands (Greenwich) will look to keep shooters away from Darien backup goalie Dylan Torey, who has drawn rave reviews in limited action. Meanwhile, Cardinal middie Stephan Dodd, whose quickness and dodging ability impressed in the FCIAC quarterfinal, will lead on offense.
Where they’ll be
Crimson Classic (June 27) ? Cambridge, MA
Bison Brawl (July 5-7) ? Lewisburg, PA
Crab City Challenge (July 11-12) ? Baltimore, MD
Chargers Tournament (July 25-26) ? Darien, CT
Bulldog Elite Red
The Scoop
The New Haven-based squad draws primarily from central Connecticut (including the states lone junior All-American, attackman Todd Heritage), but has secured the services of some of Fairfield Countys brightest stars in the older age group. The organization is run by Yale assistant Graham Niemi.
On the roster
Brendan Rotanz is the big name here. Heralded as Inside Lacrosses 17th ranked prospect entering the 2009 season, the rising senior attackman helped guide Fairfield Prep to its fourth straight state title. Blue Wave sparkplug Bryan Annechino, who flashed serious potential in 09, and Wilton middie Jon Andrews round out the Fairfield County contingent.
Where they’ll be
Bulldog Jamboree (July 9) ? New Haven, CT
Shootout by Brine (July 12-15) ? Baltimore, MD
Bulldog Bash (July 18-19) ? New Haven, CT
Chargers Tournament (July 26) ? Darien, CT
Connecticut Elite
The Scoop
New Canaan coach Alex Whittens summer squad which once boasted an array of upper Fairfield County talents, including Matt White now serves as the Rams post-June travel team. Chris Buck, Whitten assistant and mental conditioning specialist, handles primary coaching duties.
On the roster
Rams, Rams and more Rams. The headliners are superstar midfielder Joe Costigan and lockdown defenseman Kevin Campbell, but most of the Varsitys returning core including rising junior netminder Jimmy Joe Granito lax for the Elite. A smattering of prepsters and non-New Canaanites (such as Norwalks Clinton Prophete) are also featured.
Where theyll be
Tri-State National (July 10-12) ? East Windsor, NJ
Hofstra Invitational (July 18-19) ? Hempstead, NY
Hotbeds (July 26-29) ? Newark, DE
SuperStar Lacrosse
The scoop
Syracuse great (and Ridgefield coach) Roy Colseys summer vehicle features the FCIAC champions top rising seniors as well as a few holdovers from Colseys last stint, at Section 1s Horace Greeley.
On the roster
Division I prospect and rising senior attackman Mike Galione headlines the offense. Keep an eye also on Tiger midfielder Aaron Mathias and faceoff specialist Duncan Morrissey (who will be one of Connecticuts top FOGOs in 2010.) On defense, Greeleys Derek Katchis and speedy Ridgefield LSM Casey McKnight lead the way.
Where theyll be
Mid-Summer Classic (July 11-12) ? Amherst, MA
Long Island Classic (July 17-19) ? Hemsptead, NY
Champ Camp (July 23-26) ? Baltimore, MD
Others
North County Lacrosse: ? A Wilton-centric squad run by former Ridgefield coach RJ Rossi
Team Connecticut: Based in Trumbull, Team Connecticut (with players from the Fairfield County periphery) is run by Western Connecticut University coach Jason Oullet
Paragon Lacrosse: Another town team, Barlow-based Paragon is the brainchild of Falcons coach Jason Saunders.
Reach Conor at conor@laxlessons.com.
Posted In: Fairfield lacrosse, General
Good job with the summary, Conor. Now pray for those thunderstorms to go away this weekend.
I’m reading good things about some Connecticut HS and private school guys at the Top 205 and Nike Blue Chip camps this week, do you have any spies/contacts down there?
No “spies” down in Baltimore, but four Fairfield-area players have merited mentions from Inside Lacrosse’s recruiting staff. They are: Darien midfielder Bobby Nolan, Weston’s Robbie Cordisco, Blue Wave attackman Brian Gleason and New Canaan attackman Jack Kraus (who, we hear, is transferring to prep power Brunswick.)
Surprisingly, none of them – with the exception of Cordisco – played major roles on their respective teams in ’09.
Bull dog also has Jack Ambrose top long pole from Staples.
Ambrose had a poor showing at CT. Super JRs and was not selected to play in the game. He needs to step up his play in order to play D-1 which is a stretch. Will be able to contribute at a D-3 program.
More mentions from Blue Chip:
Defenseman Baylis Treen (Darien) and middies Joe Costigan (NC) and Stephan Dodd (G’wich) in the rising junior class. Both Costigan and Dodd played major roles for their respective teams in ’09.
And for the rising sophomores – New Canaan midfielder Connor Humphrey (who received significant minutes this year, but is moving this summer), Greenwich attackman Todd Stafford and Darien defenseman Tommy Lyons.
Conor,
Was at Blue Chip and noticed impressive Darien kid at Middie. Wasn’t that big but quick with strong skills. Was wearing #31.
Name?
slacrosse –
Thanks for the information. If you don’t mind my asking, what session/class was this?
If we’re talking rising seniors, the description fits jitterbug midfielder Bryan Annechino, who looks to be one of the Blue Wave’s premier offensive threats next year.
Conor,
Jake Reed/Nike
Unfortunately as no rosters only thing I know was his Darien helmet and #.
As for “sessions” the kids were divided into teams with games starting on Th nite, 3 games on Fri and one Sat AM .
He’s a good one!
#31 would be Brandon Coley, a rising junior midfielder.
Thanks, LaxNovice.
If anything, these reports from Blue Chip should highlight the extraordinary depth Darien has. None of these guys – Coley, Treen, Nolan, Gleason – played major roles for the Blue Wave in ’09. And only Gleason garnered serious playing time. Coley, as far as I know, was tapped primarily for mop-up minutes.
So, what can be gleaned for 2010? With Brameier & Co., do not fall into the “graduation losses” trap; the guys riding the pine can play, too. For Wilton, NC, Greenwich and Ridgefield, the younger kids – the ones dazzling scouts at Blue Chip – are already major components of their respective teams. But Darien’s depth sidelines future D1 players until their junior or senior years.
Did I hear that the Charger Blue Team scrimmaged the Bulldog Red Team yesterday at Yale? Did any one witness the scrimmage. Thoughts?
Bulldog Red won 6-5