It’s become an annual ritual.
Namely, the site of Iona Prep boys lax players hoisting Metro League and then Catholic state championship trophies.
John Castellano hopes to help the Gaels celebrate once again.
A senior attackman, Castellano is one of Iona’s top returnees and one of its go-to scorers.
Here are John’s perspectives on the season.
What have you been doing to get ready for the season?
This offseason has been really intense . Our team’s been really committed to strength and speed training this year and our (assistant) coach Brian Fee does a really good job at training us. He owns a gym (Velocity Sports Performance), so we’ve had access right in front of us all year.
How does your schedule look, including scrimmages, and what games are you looking forward to?
I really like how our schedule looks this year. In particular our games against Section 1 public school teams. We have about four of them this year against top tier public schools. It gives our schedule a little more flavor. And of course the games I look forward to every year is to play a Chaminade or St. Anthony’s. These nationally ranked teams are always at the top of the nation in the rankings and i feel like we can compete with them this year.
What players on your team do you think will surprise some people this season?
I think a lot of younger guys on our offense this year are going to turn some heads. Luke Wooters and Hank Desanti were the JVcaptains last year and helped lead that team to a JV championship and are now on varsity. They and Shane Fee, who started for us last year, are key pieces to our offense this year. These out just a few new names to our team this year who will be important to our success
What do you think the strength of your team will be this year?
The obvious answer here would be to say our offense because we have the more returning players than our defense does. It’s definitely true. I think we are going to have a very prolific offense this year. But I honestly feel like the defense is the key to our success this year. As they go, we go. Without them we would be nothing. Defense wins championships. I think our defense is going to turn some heads as well, led by T.J. Bonci, a senior d-pole who didn’t get a shot last year because of an injury. He will be the leader to a young, but aggressive defense. Our new goalie is looking really good too.
How do you view the race in the CHSAA and who do you think the contending teams will be?
When people think about the CHSAA for lacrosse the first obvious teams that come to mind are St. Anthony’s and Chaminade. They’re usually the two teams it comes down to every year. Some people automatically put them in a league of their own without giving other teams a shot, but I’m putting Iona Prep’s name in the mix this year. We may not have the luxury of having the depth these teams have, but I am highly confident in our team’s potential for this year. If we continue to improve at this pace, I would mark the date on your calendar for a St. Anthony’s/Chaminade vs. Iona Prep game. Holy Trinity is a team with a lot of talent this year too, returning most of their players from last year.
* For more info on John, click 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
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Posted In: Player's perspective
Great job John! Good luck this season!
Make it a 3-peat JC!
Maybe missed it but surprised if no commitment yet? On of the best attackmen in the area. Info?
I’m more than likely going to Quinnipiac University as a recruited walk on they have my verbal commitment right now
Thx. Good luck and keep up the tough play.
John’s college choice is not finalized
Congrats John and good luck at Quinnipiac.
Fordham Prep is going 2 destroy Iona Prep this year. My man Brendan Kennedy and Taylor smith are going to Rip odeee G’s…………
IP tied MAMO 8-8 in a 4, 15-minute quarter game
Watch out for Mamo in Class A!
not a good sign for Iona prep if they really did tie “Mamo” – chaminade, st. a’s and john jay will crush them if they are playing even with the tigers.
don’t underestimate mamaroneck
I’m not knocking mamaroneck. I am being realistic. Mamo will have a nice season and go far in class A. They will fall short to either L/P, Suffern or Pac though. Iona Prep does not want to be in that category…IP will have a tough time against the chaminade, st. A’s and JJ. Don’t be surprised to see 5 to 10 point losses in all three games.
Agreed, not good at all…
Mamo has talent but thin at middie. Very good goalie, strong D, and some players who can hit the back of the net will make them competitive in a diluted Class A.
Scrimmage on Sat vs Greenwich will tell us more.
Disappointed Mamo & Rye do not schedule each other – be perfect scrimmage partners if nothing else.
Don’t get why Rye is scrimmaging Scarsdale/Irvington and not Mamo?? Would have been good for the 2 neighbors. And now you guys have a turf field!
they did last year, mamo won like 7-2 at suffern
actually 2 turf fields now – new one has lights – next Saturday night they open against Ardsley after both girls teams and JV play during the day. very exciting for local lax community
mamo just lost to greenwich 2-4. Close game start to finish