You never know what’s going to happen when East meets West.
As in Smithtown East and Smithtown West, that is.
We’ve been talking a lot about the race for the top spot in Suffolk County’s Division 1.
And even if Smithtown East and Smithtown West weren’t right in the thick of things — which they both are — it’s always interesting when the crosstown rivals collide.
This year’s meeting is set for May 10 at Smithtown East.
But there will be plenty of big games for both teams before that.
For more on that, and the East-West rivalry, we turn to one of Long Island’s leading goaltenders, Smithtown East senior Brian Balkam, who is bound for the University of North Carolina.
Now, here are Brian’s perspectives on the upcoming season.
What have you been doing to get ready for the season?
We have been doing Sunday intramural practices outside on our turf field. We’ve also gone into the gym at our school for positional training once a week. In addition, we do speed training and lift several times a week.
How does your schedule look, what games are you looking forward to most, and who are some of your scrimmages against?
Our schedule is extremely challenging this year, just as it is every year. We play some of the top teams in the tristate, including West Islip, Ward Melville, Northport and Smithtown West.
For me personally, the game I’m looking most forward to is Smithtown West. Having a crosstown rivalry with them is the best part of the season and no matter what our records are going into the game, it’s always a battle.
Of course the games against Northport, West Islip, Ward Melville both Sachems and Bay Shore are challenging, as well as our non-league game against Port Washington.
What player or players on your team do you think will surprise some people this season?
Our midfield should surprise a lot of people this year. Led by seniors Scotty Scannel and Jimmy Tenbrink, two of the better middies in the county in my opinion, and our sophomore standout John Daniggelis will be sure to cause match-up problems from up top. Seniors Kyle Gerfo handles faceoffs and Matt O’Reilly can play midfield and attack.
On attack, I think that sophomore Brian Willetts and junior Tom Marino will work well together and cause problems down low.
Our defense once again will be solid. Seniors Peter Triolo, Mike Kavanagh, Myles Feeney and Peter Marino all have several years of experience.
What do you think the strength of your team will be this year?
I think our strength should be our midfield and our defense. We have two solid lines if middies with each player already having a minimum of one year of experience and some seniors with four years of varsity experience. Our defense returns three three-year starters in Peter Triolo, Myles Feeney and myself.
How do you view the race in your league and who do you think some of the contending teams will be?
I think the top 6-8 teams will be more competitively balanced this year in Suffolk Class A. There will be the tops dogs, consisting of Ward Melville, West Islip, Northport, Smithtown West and East with both Sachem’s and Bay Shore in the running.
I think this year will be the most competitive race for the championship in a while because of the depth of our league. We are working hard to be one of the last two teams playing in the division.
* LaxLessons.com story on Brian’s commitment to North Carolina
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Posted In: Long Island lacrosse, Player's perspective, Section 11
Too bad east doesn’t get the same attention as west. East may not be a nationally known team but they still produce quality players every year.
Really? Then name them.
Look East may be a program at that level down the line, but not yet. It’s in the 6-7 range of the top teams in Suffolk D-1.
I could be mistaken but don’t they have a defender headed to Penn State (triolo) and and a player headed to Army (tenbrink) – to go along with a goalie headed to UNC? Not a bad roster. That is just on this year’s team and I am sure there are other players that I am skipping.
Well East has an average number of D-1 recruits for a contender LI program. They have some good talent but you can’t really say they are anything close to being overlooked until the beat WI, WM, West.
agreed – my only point is that they are a good program but they get overshadowed in a tough league/class. you put smithtown east in section 1 or section 9 and they are close to section champs every season.
of course you could say the same thing about all of the top 6 or 7 top class A schools in suffolk.
Nice analysis Brian and good job sizing up the squad!