Hunter Grafton scores for Abington boys lacrosse in playoff win
Abington’s Hunter Grafton cashes in at the end of a wild, end-to-end sequence in the Green Wave’s 17-4 playoff win over South Shore Tech on Monday.
Eric McHugh, The Patriot Ledger
The South Shore once again will be a place to watch elite-level high school boys lacrosse this spring.
This area traditionally has produced some of the state’s top talent, and last year was no exception as local teams made it to all four MIAA divisional state finals. Norwell (Div. 3) and Cohasset (Div. 4) won crowns, while BC High (Div. 1) and Duxbury (Div. 2) were runners-up.
It was BC High’s third straight trip to the state championship game and Duxbury’s first since 2012.
Elsewhere, Hingham advanced to the Div. 1 semifinals, losing to eventual champ St. John’s Prep. In Div. 2, Scituate, Plymouth South, Milton and Silver Lake got to the Round of 16. In Div. 3, Hanover made the Round of 16, while Abington was a quarterfinalist in Div. 4.
If you want to brush up on your knowledge of the 2023 season before the 2024 gets into full swing, here’s our final Top 10 ranking of the year, along with our All-Scholastic team.
These are the players to keep an eye on this spring:
Hunter Grafton, Abington
In the span three days this spring, the senior midfielder scored his 200th career goal and registered his 300th career point for the Green Wave. Second-year captain is a faceoff specialist who led Abington to the Div. 4 quarterfinals last spring.
Jonathan Halpin, Abington
Senior captain is coming off a standout junior campaign in which had 40 goals and 68 assists. One of the Green Wave’s top playmakers, he’s also skilled defensively.
Evan St. Martin, Abington
Senior has converted from attack to defense this season. Coach Michael Grafton said the switch “gives Abington a strong shutdown presence as well as creating an offensive threat in transition.”
Henri Barriere, Archbishop Williams
Sophomore attack is expected to lead the Bishops’ offense.
Luke Allen, BC High
Junior attack/midfielder had 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points last season as the Eagles made it to the Div. 1 state final.
Nick Emsing, BC High
The younger brother of graduated All-Scholastic Will Emsing (68 goals for the Eagles last season), this junior attack is coming off a promising 2023 campaign of his own when he scored 15 goals and added 9 assists.
Charlie McCullough, BC High
Senior goalie is committed to Div. 1 Rutgers University. He’ll be key to the Eagles’ chances of claiming the Div. 1 state crown.
Aiden Landers, Blue Hills
This starting longstick middie has three years of varsity experience for the Warriors, who are coming off a Div. 4 playoff appearance.
Michael Repucci, Blue Hills
Senior attack has 93 career goals over three varsity seasons. He was an All-Scholastic in hockey this winter.
Jayson Kelleher, Bridgewater-Raynham
Junior attack had a big sophomore season, earning Second Team All-Scholastic honors with 43 goals and 26 assists.
Anthony Mussari, Bridgewater-Raynham
Senior defenseman/captain is an “all-around leader” who will anchor the Trojans’ back line, according to coach Matt Connolly.
Matt O’Donnell, Cardinal Spellman
Senior midfielder led the Cardinals with 68 goals and was second with 22 assists last spring. Catholic Central League All-Star had a 9-goal game vs. St. Mary’s and scored at least twice in every game. He’ll play at Div. 2 St. Michael’s College.
Liam Appleton, Cohasset
Senior midfielder had 47 goals and 23 assists last season as the second-leading scorer for the Div. 4 state champs. Returning All-Scholastic “creates mismatches for our offense,” said coach Steve Rotondi.
Henry Burke, Cohasset
Senior faceoff specialist returns after missing all of the 2023 season due to injury. Said coach Steve Rotondi, “He’s hoping to fill a major void for us (at the faceoff X) over the last two seasons.”
Declan Lee, Cohasset
Senior defensman is a four-year starter and the anchor of the Skippers’ defense. Coach Steve Rotondi says of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County commit, “He plays with a chip on his shoulder and seeks out the challenge of covering each team’s top offensive player.”
Zach Falls, Duxbury
This 6-4 senior midfielder starred in football and basketball and had 28 goals in lacrosse last spring. He’s already had a 6-goal game (vs. St. Joseph’s) this season, and coach Chris Sweet says, “He has developed a scoring touch with an ability to shoot on the run.”
Sam Wien, Duxbury
Senior midfielder had 42 goals and 16 assists last spring in the Dragons’ run to the Div. 2 state final. Said coach Chris Sweet: “He’s picked up where he left off last season. Has speed, quickness, and a knack for scoring big goals in big moments.”
Ryan Butzbach, Hanover
Senior midfielder is only in his second season of lacrosse, but he’s excelled in a defensive role and recently scored his first varsity goal. Said coach Shawn Tierney: “His commitment to the game is second to none.”
Thomas Cronan, Hanover
Senior midfield/attack is a four-year varsity player who was a Patriot League All-Star last season. Coach Shawn Tierney calls the Saint Anselm College commit “the leader of our team on offense.”
Matt Desilva, Hanover
Senior defenseman is a three-year varsity player and the leader of the Hawks’ back line. Said coach Shawn Tierney: “Matt’s leadership on the field with our younger defenseman and team is outstanding.”
Rocco Egan, Hingham
Senior faceoff specialist is a four-year starter who is key to the Harbormen’s attack.
Nate Hoffman, Hingham
Senior goaltender helped Hingham allow just 5.45 goals per game last season when he was a Patriot League All-Star.
Sean Walsh, Hull
Senior goalie, a Providence College commit, was a standout as a junior, stopping 66.2 percent of the shots he faced. He averaged 15.6 saves per game and had a 7.93 goals-against average while being voted the South Shore League Tobin Division Player of the Year.
Charlie Carroll, Marshfield
Junior came into the season with 110 career points already. Coach Kevin Orcutt called him the Rams’ best offensive player last year.
Scott MacKinnon, Marshfield
Senior was the Rams’ top defender last spring as a junior. Marshfield coach Kevin Orcutt called him an “absolute stud in the back.”
Will Rand, Marshfield
Senior is an “explosive midfielder who shows up big in big games for us,” said coach Kevin Orcutt.
Jake Calogero, Middleboro
Senior defender led the team’s D poles in ground balls and caused turnovers last spring. Three-year starter is a two-time captain. Said coach Joe Barry: “He plays with consistent fundamentals and intensity. Jake is truly a goalkeeper’s best friend.”
Jack Kavaleski, Middleboro
Senior attack had 30 goals and 30 assists last spring. Three-year starter is a two-time captain. Said coach Joe Barry: “Jack is a fearless leader that accepts all challenges.”
Luke Haley, Milton
Returning First Team Bay State Conference midfielder is looking to build off a strong junior season. Won a state title with the football team in the fall.
Luke Hartford, Milton
Coach Dennis Lynch calls him the “heart and soul of the team,” noting, “He does it all and gives everything he has on and off the field.” Running back on the state-championship football team in the fall.
Will Morse, Norwell
Senior defender had 4 goals and 3 assists last season. Said coach Josh Stolp: “Will is a quick, agile defender whose aggressive style and athleticism makes him a perfect matchup for covering an opponent’s best attackman or midfielder.”
Oliver Rice, Norwell
Junior attack had 44 goals and 18 assists last season. Said coach Josh Stolp: “Oliver’s understanding of how to move on the field, coupled with strong stick skills, makes him a well-rounded attack-man operating from the crease or the X.”
Ryan Jaco, Oliver Ames
Captain and three-year starter is an athletic two-way midfielder who was the Tigers’ second-leading scorer last year.
Alex McAndrew, Oliver Ames
Captain and three-year starting attack “brings grit and leadership,” according to coach Ben Devlin, who says the Tigers are “looking for him to continue to add scoring punch.”
Brenden Kanya, Pembroke
This versatile two-way midfielder has three years of starting experience for the Titans, who are coming off a Div. 3 playoff appearance.
Brandon Perry, Pembroke
Senior attack is a creative scorer who led the Titans in points a year ago.
Cole Jenkins, Plymouth North
Senior captain will take the majority of faceoffs for the Blue Eagles.
Pat Keep, Plymouth North
Returning senior captain projects to once again be a leader on defense for the Blue Eagles.
Quin Hall, Plymouth South
Returning Patriot League All-Star will anchor the Panthers’ defense along with Cam Webber and Zack Adams.
Nick Kendall, Plymouth South
Senior is “one of the best goalies in our league,” according to coach John Jardin. He will be playing behind a defense that returns three starters.
Jesse Hanson, Quincy/North Quincy
Senior captain is a third-year defender for the co-op program.
Teddy Lynch, Quincy/North Quincy
Senior attackman has four seasons of varsity experience. He’ll be one of the captains for the co-op program.
Joe Earner, Rockland
Senior midfielder is a faceoff specialist for the Bulldogs. Three-year starter will serve as a captain this spring.
Tyler Boehner, Rockland
This senior attack/middie came into the season with 120 career goals and 112 career assists. Captain is a three-year starter for the Bulldogs.
Alex Burrill, Scituate
Senior longstick middle will continue his lacrosse career at Div. 3 Roger Williams University. Sailors coach Mark Puzzangara calls him a “tremendous athlete.”
Johnnie Donahue, Scituate
Senior might be the Sailors’ top defender. He missed all of last season with a shoulder injury but was a two-year starter prior to that.
Will Robinson, Scituate
Junior attack had a standout sophomore season with 77 goals and 22 assists. Sailors coach Mark Puzzangara calls the Army commit “one of the top players in the area.” Had 9 goals in a recent win over Hanover.
Colton Pentecost, Southeastern
Senior midfield is a four-year varsity player and this year’s co-captain.
Peyton Volz, Southeastern
Junior midfielder is looking to build on a standout sophomore campaign in which he led the team in goals and was a Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star. Three-sport star also excels at football and track.
Todd Egan, South Shore Tech
Returning senior captain and four-year starter will lead the Vikings offense. He had 71 goals and 39 assists last spring when he was a Second Team All-Scholastic.
Brady Hofeman, South Shore Tech
Junior captain is a three-year starter who leads the defense for the Vikings.
Bo Carly, Weymouth
Senior goalkeeper made a big splash last spring in his first varsity season. He was an All-Scholastic soccer goalie in the fall, allowing 17 goals over 23 games.
Aaron McDonald, Weymouth
Junior is expected to provide scoring punch this spring for the Wildcats.
Jeff Gomes, Whitman-Hanson
Senior middie won 70 percent of his faceoffs last season. Coach Tyler Sabens says the Endicott College commit is “a pivotal part of the possession game,” adding, “He’s also a pitbull on ground balls, on-ball defense and unsettled situations.”
David MacNeil, Whitman-Hanson
Senior captain/goaltender was a Patriot League All-Star last spring. Coach Tyler Sabens calls the Dean College commit “our hardest worker and best player,” adding, “A true team player and a great example of what genuine grit and believing in yourself can do.”
Ryan Nash, Whitman-Hanson
Senior captain stars at longstick middie/defense. Averaged 8 ground balls per game last season while scoring 3 goals. Said coach Tyler Sabens: “Ryan is incredibly reliable anywhere you put him on the field. He’s like having a coach playing in the game.”
