Last season was a historic one for the Iona Prep Gaels, who won their first state championship.
Leading the way was a core group of four Division I-bound seniors, including Nick Trizano, who scored his 300th career point and finished second on the all-time state scoring list behind Casey Powell.
How will the new-look Gaels fare this year and what players will need to step up?
Those are among the topics were discussed with Fairfield University-bound senior Pete De Salvo.
* Player’s perspective archive
For background info on Pete, click here.
What have you been doing to get ready for the season?
Since November, our team has been doing a lifting program at our school, conditioning and drills in our gym every Tuesday and Thursday night. On Wednesday nights. we play in a league out at the Brewster Sports Center. We also recently started having practices in the morning before school at 6 a.m. From Feb. 14-20, we will take our annual trip to Florida for our training camp which we are all looking forward to. Our coach, Rick Trizano, knows how to keep us busy and in shape to prepare for the upcoming spring season.
Can you talk about some of the key players you lost from last year and how you think you will be able to replace them?
We lost a bunch of great players from last year. Nick Trizano, Myles Gillespie, Gus Guido and Mike O’Hagan are the big names everyones probably heard of. However, we also lost unsung players like Chris Jackson, who was a great position defenseman, and Brendan Grogan, an offensive midfielder. To replace them this year, players like me, Steve Trizano, T.C. Tracy and Brian Fahy are going to need to step up and lead the team.
How does your scrimmage schedule look and which ones are you looking forward to most?
We have a couple tough scrimmages at the beginning of the year. I would definitely have to say Im looking forward to the three-way scrimmage with John Jay and Delbarton because they are both really good programs and they will be a great test for us.
What players on your team do you think will surprise some people this season?
I think anybody could come out as a surprise year, but it’s all a question of who’s ready to step up.
What do you think the strength of your team will be this year?
I think the strength of our team this year will be our unity. We lost a bunch of great players last year and we really need to come together as one family to have another championship year.
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Posted In: CHSAA lacrosse, Player's perspective
Excellent job Pete. You and Steve T. will be the leaders this year. Keep the tradition alive!
Hey Joe,
Can you post something on the preseason standings in your mind because I’m really not sure on who the top teams are this year?
Blogfan –
Right now, I think West Islip is the clear preseason No. 1 in the Hudson Valley/Long Island/Connecticut region and possibly in the nation.
Obviously, St. A’s, Chaminade, Manhasset, Ward Melville and Garden City will also be very strong.
In Connecticut, you have to talk about Brunswick, Darien, Ridgefield and Fairfield Prep.
Section 1 may have more parity than ever. But the usual suspects Yorktown, John Jay, Somers an Lakeland/Panas lead the list.
We will be revisiting this topic in a few weeks. I think getting insights from players at a lot of the top programs has been helpful.
In the meantime, be sure to check out this thread. You will get a lot of info and insights from it:
http://laxlessons.com/blog/2009/10/you-make-the-call-who-will-be-the-top-five-teams-in-2010/
Joe,
Any word on who’s taking over as coach for Greenwich?
Not yet, slacrosse. The position has just been posted. For those not familiar with the background on this, check this link:
http://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Jailed-GHS-lacrosse-coach-resigns-353489.php
Joe,
Thanx. Tough situation for the Coach and team but most importantly it will be best for the Coach in the long run.
This will be a hugely important season for Iona now that they are in the same league as St. Anthony’s and Chaminade for the first time.
PD – We need you to come up HUGE this year kid.
Pete’s reckless style is fun to watch. He is also a talented offensive player who should have a great season for Iona.
Joe,
When is Cuse gonna surface??
That’s a good question, slacrosse. My guest is sometime after the first Yorktown scrimmage (vs. Don Bosco on Wednesday).
OK. Looking forward to his objective and insightful comments!