We’ve been passing along news these last few months about the commitments of the top seniors and juniors from the Hudson Valley/Long Island/Connecticut region.
Programs such as Ward Melville, Manhasset, Yorktown, John Jay, Somers, Ridgefield and Darien are well represented, of course.
But on Monday, we told you about a couple of players both attackmen, in fact from a school that has not exactly been synonymous with college recruits.
Until now, that is.
Last year, they helped resurgent White Plains enjoy a groundbreaking season that included a huge win over Mahopac.
Now, Ryan McGee and Norman Greenfield are both about to take their games to the next level. Their commitments come just two years after Tigers standout defenseman Savaughn Greene accepted a scholarship offer from Division I Stony Brook.
And stay tuned, gang. There should be more to come in the next few years.
“The success Sav, Ryan and I have had has encouraged younger players to become more committed to the sport,” Greenfield said. “Coach (Mark) Armogida has done a great job promoting the sport with younger players and as a result, the youth program and high school program have benefited a great deal.
“Though the summer was still very important in terms of being looked at at various recruiting camps and combines, college coaches were far more impressed with the improved White Plains’ schedule, which Coach Armogida worked hard to obtain.”
McGee is bound for Division I St. Joseph’s in Philadelphia. Greenfield is headed to Division III power Dickinson, which is also in Pennsylvania.
McGee also visited Tufts, Lehigh, Boston University, the University of Pennsylvania and Delaware.
“The main factors in my decision were the overall environment of the campus and surrounding area, the coaching staff, the future of the lacrosse program, and its geographic location in the city of Philadelphia,” McGee said. “I think the campus as well as the surrounding parts of Philadelphia are an extremely attractive environment for a student-athlete.
“The campus is separated from the business of the urban environment, yet the excitement of going to school in a big city is still there, making it the best of both worlds.
“Another positive aspect of the lacrosse program is their entrance into the Colonial League for the 2010 season which will be en extremely competitive conference including Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra, Penn State, UMass and Towson.
“The last major factor that influenced my decision was the school’s location. I have a lot of family in the area surrounding the city so I have spent a lot of time there throughout my life. I love the Philadelphia area and going to school there has always been appealing to me.”
A four-year starter in lax, McGee is also a standout in hockey, where he plays for Howard Rubenstein, who doubles as the Tigers’ varsity assistant in lacrosse.
“Lacrosse has been a part of my life almost since birth,” said McGee. “My dad and his two brothers all played lacrosse in high school and both of my uncles played lacrosse in college. When I was still a baby my dad’s youngest brother was still playing at Westchester University and I used to go to his games.
“I have had a lacrosse stick in my hands since I could hold one so there was never any doubt that I would play it. Aside from lacrosse my other main sport is hockey, both of which are similar in that they are extremely fast paced. They call lacrosse the fastest game on two feet for a reason and it is the speed and constant action of sports that attracts me to them. So I would say that lacrosse is similar to other sports I play but I just like it more.”
Greenfield also got an early jump on lacrosse – and it made a difference.
“When I was in kindergarten, my dad took me to practically every Soundview Sports event that was out there,” Greenfield said. “Something clicked. Ever since then it was only lacrosse, all year long, on any team, by any means.
“I’ve played summer lacrosse with WestRock, fall lacrosse with Moonlight, and some winter lacrosse with Renegades throughout the years. I’ve never really seriously played other sports because lacrosse has just always been the most fun for me.”
Check their recruit profiles:
Keep us posted
As always, be sure to e-mail me with news/info on any college commitments as they are made to joe@laxlessons.com.
Also, feel free to let me know of any commitments that have been made that are not included here.
LaxLessons.com recruit profiles
Posted In: Recruiting Rundown
FYI, folks. Even though they are now freshmen in college, the recruit profiles of members of the Class of ’09 are still available for your reading pleasure in our archive at:
http://laxlessons.com/recruit
It’s good to see the players are still updating them even though they are all set with college. In fact, check out the photo Yorktown’s Michael Bonitatibus posted on his profile. You won’t want to miss it:
http://www.laxlessons.com/recruit/michael-bonitatibus/
Nice piece on the White Plains players. Mark has worked really hard to build his program. I’m glad that its starting to pay off.
I must have missed this story when it was originally posted. I don’t always check the blog every day in the offseason but from now on I will. There’s always great stuff and lots of news. The lax coverage you have here is so much better than anything else out there on the web its not even close. Keep up the awesome job Joe and staff!
Agreed – Joe and his crew do a phenomenal job. It’s the only sight that offers year round coverage of lax in this region. I also have to say the readers are incredibly knowledgeable and their comments are always interesting to read even if I don’t agree.
White Plains is definately a team on the rise.
White Plains lax is one the rise. Watch out Section I.