Our preseason player perspectives have become an annual tradition at LaxLessons.com.
We traverse the tristate — and beyond — to get the thoughts of some of the leading returning varsity players as their teams prepare for the start of a new season.
Where better to start for 2014 than at the home of the only two-time defending state champion in New York — Garden City.
The Trojans defeated Jamesville-DeWitt 13-8 in last year’s final to cap a 19-3 season that included a Nassau County Class B title-game win over archrival Manhasset. GC beat ‘Set 10-4 to take the Section 8 title after losing to the Indians 9-7 in the annual Woodstick Classic.
This year’s Woodstick is set for May 3 at GC.
That’s among the games — and topics — that senior goaltender Danny Dolan discusses.
Dolan became GC’s first Class of 2014 commit back in the summer of 2012 when he verballed to UMass.
Now, here are Danny’s perspectives on the upcoming season.
What have you been doing to get ready for the season?
As a team we have weight, speed and agility training at PAPC (Professional Athletic Performance Center) Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We also have box lacrosse Tuesdays and Thursdays and then we play in a winter league on Sundays.
How does your schedule look, what games are you looking forward to most, and who are some of your scrimmages against?
Our schedule looks tough as always. The games I’m looking forward to the most are Smithtown West, Massapequa, Bronxville, Manhasset and St. Paul’s.
What players on your team do you think will surprise some people this season?
Some kids that will definitely turn some heads this year are Kieran Byrnes, Liam Byrnes, James Sullivan on the offensive and defensive ends, and Cody George as a legit go-to man on attack
What do you think the strength of your team will be this year?
The strength of our team this year is without a doubt the faceoff X. James Sullivan does an unbelievable job there and he’s so tough to beat. He gets us going and he deserves way more credit then he already gets.
How do you view the race in your league and who do you think some of the contending teams will be?
We play in one of the hardest conferences on Long Island and every year any team could make a run to the county championship. Some of the teams that could make a run in May are Wantagh, Manhassett, Carey, Long Beach, Lynbrook, Hewlett, as well as us.
* Preseason player perspective archive
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Posted In: Long Island lacrosse, Player's perspective, Section 8