**********The MIAA "A" Conference 2022**************

[OSVAlacrosse]

Crickets on St. Mary's needing OT to beat Severna Park and Severn scraping by Broadneck...guess it doesn't really fit the narrative that nothing can compare to the challenge of the MIAA gauntlet.

Kudos to both Severna Park and Broadneck on fine performances, and best of luck to both in their hopes for state championships!

Really ? Hats off to SP & the rest. We all know they are good teams as public schools . But, don’t think they can sniff anyone in this Conference.

Considering the significant disadvantage the public schools have, these games shouldn’t be close. For SP and Broadneck to take both these games to the final min, shows they can sniff some teams in this league.

My thoughts exactly. These results are incontrovertible proof that these teams CAN sniff the MIAA. And yet people on this board are somehow extrapolating that Severna Park almost beating one of the top teams in the conference is evidence that they can't beat them.

And these are just the Maryland public schools, which by and large aren't in the same league as the publics in NY/CT/NJ. I keep seeing the same rhetoric about the unique grind of the MIAA, and it just isn't based in reality anymore. No doubt it's still the best league out there top to bottom, but the gap is not nearly what it's made out to be. There are plenty of teams in the Northeast playing similarly challenging schedules when it's all said and done.

By the way I completely agree with peoples' sentiments on the shot clock. Unfortunately for a lot of public school leagues, the infrastructure is not where it needs to be to institute it on a large scale as of yet.

I think the IAC and WCAC have also shown that the MIAA is not the necessarily the only game in town for high level HS competition. Both the DC area conferences have really done well when playing MIAA teams.

[Jumbo]

Curious- Which significant disadvantage is that? AACO is an outlier, even in a lacrosse-rich state of MD. It has a dense population of good laxers. No matter what you think, it’s tough to compete with “Free.”

Interestingly, All the teams played federation rules. Which are significantly different than the MIAA/college rules. No shot clock, stalls allowed, different clearing counts and rules.

SP and BN only had to play 2 games. And they both were able to compete in 1.

There are lots of talented lacrosse players at these public schools. With a fired-up motivated squad, anyone can play one close game with an MIAA team. But you have to be built differently to do it consistently, twice a week, and compete in this conference.

Significant disadvantages….
Start with time off season time. Public schools are lucky if they get a 5-6 unofficial scrimmages in the off season (missing 1/3 of the team). No practice. Private schools are traveling up and down the east coast playing games in off season. Private schools are practicing almost year round. Then look at the completion. Private schools get competitive games every week. This makes you better. Pubic school game are often 20-1. Private schools get to recruit (yes, they recruit). Public school kids get to watch the local kids leaving for private schools. Talent is much deeper on a private school team. I bet the St Marys/ Severn squads have 25-30 D1 commits combined. I bet Broadneck/SP have less than 10 combined. No doubt St Marys, BL, Spalding are better than any public school in MD. but if SP, Broadneck, Sherwood and Catonsville played in the MIAA A, they wouldn’t be the bottom 4 teams at the end of the season

[MDlaxfan76]

Crickets on St. Mary's needing OT to beat Severna Park and Severn scraping by Broadneck...guess it doesn't really fit the narrative that nothing can compare to the challenge of the MIAA gauntlet.

Kudos to both Severna Park and Broadneck on fine performances, and best of luck to both in their hopes for state championships!

Really ? Hats off to SP & the rest. We all know they are good teams as public schools . But, don’t think they can sniff anyone in this Conference.

Considering the significant disadvantage the public schools have, these games shouldn’t be close. For SP and Broadneck to take both these games to the final min, shows they can sniff some teams in this league.

My thoughts exactly. These results are incontrovertible proof that these teams CAN sniff the MIAA. And yet people on this board are somehow extrapolating that Severna Park almost beating one of the top teams in the conference is evidence that they can't beat them.

And these are just the Maryland public schools, which by and large aren't in the same league as the publics in NY/CT/NJ. I keep seeing the same rhetoric about the unique grind of the MIAA, and it just isn't based in reality anymore. No doubt it's still the best league out there top to bottom, but the gap is not nearly what it's made out to be. There are plenty of teams in the Northeast playing similarly challenging schedules when it's all said and done.

By the way I completely agree with peoples' sentiments on the shot clock. Unfortunately for a lot of public school leagues, the infrastructure is not where it needs to be to institute it on a large scale as of yet.

I think the IAC and WCAC have also shown that the MIAA is not the necessarily the only game in town for high level HS competition. Both the DC area conferences have really done well when playing MIAA teams.

Yes some of the teams have; some years really, really well.

I don't think there's any question that's the case. But I don't think either of those DC leagues is the same degree of gauntlet that the MIAA represents...feel free to disagree!

Not sure why it really matters, though, as there are lots and lots of great opportunities to play this sport, get coached, compete, at a very high level, every bit or more as at a MIAA school.

[kramerica.inc]

St John’s has done well against the MIAA. The rest of the IAC have done ok.

As for the private advantages, I think you overstate what these teams are doing. Recruiting sure, but again, these schools are generally very small compared to a public and free is tough to beat. And there aren’t a lot of those offers out there in Privates anyway. That’s a complete misnomer.

MIAA starts in Feb. so there was a 2 week advantage for them this year. But the fall and off-season is limited to two hours a week and the NHSLS, which publics do participate in too. Plus most of the miaa kids don’t do fall as they play other sports. Again, small schools. The other off-season work in the winter is usually done via clubs and private trainers so if there’s a will, there is a way for publics.

[get it to x]

St John’s has done well against the MIAA. The rest of the IAC have done ok.

As for the private advantages, I think you overstate what these teams are doing. Recruiting sure, but again, these schools are generally very small compared to a public and free is tough to beat. And there aren’t a lot of those offers out there in Privates anyway. That’s a complete misnomer.

MIAA starts in Feb. so there was a 2 week advantage for them this year. But the fall and off-season is limited to two hours a week and the NHSLS, which publics do participate in too. Plus most of the miaa kids don’t do fall as they play other sports. Again, small schools. The other off-season work in the winter is usually done via clubs and private trainers so if there’s a will, there is a way for publics.

You are right about school size. Calvert Hall is well over a thousand students, St. Mary's in the 500's Co-Ed. Severn even less.

St. Johns and St Mary's scrimmaged at Gilman to begin the year. Would be nice to know if St. Mary's held their own, if for nothing more than speculating.

[Turnandrake]

St John’s has done well against the MIAA. The rest of the IAC have done ok.

As for the private advantages, I think you overstate what these teams are doing. Recruiting sure, but again, these schools are generally very small compared to a public and free is tough to beat. And there aren’t a lot of those offers out there in Privates anyway. That’s a complete misnomer.

MIAA starts in Feb. so there was a 2 week advantage for them this year. But the fall and off-season is limited to two hours a week and the NHSLS, which publics do participate in too. Plus most of the miaa kids don’t do fall as they play other sports. Again, small schools. The other off-season work in the winter is usually done via clubs and private trainers so if there’s a will, there is a way for publics.

You are right about school size. Calvert Hall is well over a thousand students, St. Mary's in the 500's Co-Ed. Severn even less.

St. Johns and St Mary's scrimmaged at Gilman to begin the year. Would be nice to know if St. Mary's held their own, if for nothing more than speculating.

St Mary’s beat St John in the scrimmage SJC up 3-1 at half and yes both teams missing key players. Both teams subs a lot of kids.

St Mary’s also beat St Stevens St Agnes by a lot that day.

[Turnandrake]

Crickets on St. Mary's needing OT to beat Severna Park and Severn scraping by Broadneck...guess it doesn't really fit the narrative that nothing can compare to the challenge of the MIAA gauntlet.

St. Mary’s won sorry they did not cover whatever spread you had.

[OSVAlacrosse]

St John’s has done well against the MIAA. The rest of the IAC have done ok.

As for the private advantages, I think you overstate what these teams are doing. Recruiting sure, but again, these schools are generally very small compared to a public and free is tough to beat. And there aren’t a lot of those offers out there in Privates anyway. That’s a complete misnomer.

MIAA starts in Feb. so there was a 2 week advantage for them this year. But the fall and off-season is limited to two hours a week and the NHSLS, which publics do participate in too. Plus most of the miaa kids don’t do fall as they play other sports. Again, small schools. The other off-season work in the winter is usually done via clubs and private trainers so if there’s a will, there is a way for publics.

You are right about school size. Calvert Hall is well over a thousand students, St. Mary's in the 500's Co-Ed. Severn even less.

St. Johns and St Mary's scrimmaged at Gilman to begin the year. Would be nice to know if St. Mary's held their own, if for nothing more than speculating.

St Mary’s beat St John in the scrimmage SJC up 3-1 at half and yes both teams missing key players. Both teams subs a lot of kids.

St Mary’s also beat St Stevens St Agnes by a lot that day.

Scrimmages? C’mon the IAC WCAC record v MIAA is not close
This season.

[SkipPass]

St. Mary’s played two IAC teams (Prep and Landon) and destroyed both of them.

[gymman1031]

Question. Which of the three is your favorite spot for the MIAA Championships?

Navy
Hopkins
Towson

Feel free to give your reasoning, too.

[kramerica.inc]

John Carroll beats Southern 14-8.

I love Hopkins. It’s a good size and the stands are cozy enough for fans/students. Cool experience for the kids to be able to play there too, with the old history.

[harcooldie]

Towson- nice stadium, but too big.
Hopkins- nostalgic venue, parking and Baltimore city are awful
Navy- beautiful stadium, stands are on top of the field, ample parking, state capital, patriotic feel

Navy has been the best of the sites thus far.

Loyola could also be a great site in the future.

[get it to x]

St John’s has done well against the MIAA. The rest of the IAC have done ok.

As for the private advantages, I think you overstate what these teams are doing. Recruiting sure, but again, these schools are generally very small compared to a public and free is tough to beat. And there aren’t a lot of those offers out there in Privates anyway. That’s a complete misnomer.

MIAA starts in Feb. so there was a 2 week advantage for them this year. But the fall and off-season is limited to two hours a week and the NHSLS, which publics do participate in too. Plus most of the miaa kids don’t do fall as they play other sports. Again, small schools. The other off-season work in the winter is usually done via clubs and private trainers so if there’s a will, there is a way for publics.

You are right about school size. Calvert Hall is well over a thousand students, St. Mary's in the 500's Co-Ed. Severn even less.

St. Johns and St Mary's scrimmaged at Gilman to begin the year. Would be nice to know if St. Mary's held their own, if for nothing more than speculating.

St Mary’s beat St John in the scrimmage SJC up 3-1 at half and yes both teams missing key players. Both teams subs a lot of kids.

St Mary’s also beat St Stevens St Agnes by a lot that day.

Interesting that you would give the halftime score. Was there a score at the end of the scrimmage? Yes, it’s just a scrimmage, but even so, we know the boys were giving regular season effort.

[Turnandrake]

St John’s has done well against the MIAA. The rest of the IAC have done ok.

As for the private advantages, I think you overstate what these teams are doing. Recruiting sure, but again, these schools are generally very small compared to a public and free is tough to beat. And there aren’t a lot of those offers out there in Privates anyway. That’s a complete misnomer.

MIAA starts in Feb. so there was a 2 week advantage for them this year. But the fall and off-season is limited to two hours a week and the NHSLS, which publics do participate in too. Plus most of the miaa kids don’t do fall as they play other sports. Again, small schools. The other off-season work in the winter is usually done via clubs and private trainers so if there’s a will, there is a way for publics.

You are right about school size. Calvert Hall is well over a thousand students, St. Mary's in the 500's Co-Ed. Severn even less.

St. Johns and St Mary's scrimmaged at Gilman to begin the year. Would be nice to know if St. Mary's held their own, if for nothing more than speculating.

St Mary’s beat St John in the scrimmage SJC up 3-1 at half and yes both teams missing key players. Both teams subs a lot of kids.

St Mary’s also beat St Stevens St Agnes by a lot that day.

Interesting that you would give the halftime score. Was there a score at the end of the scrimmage? Yes, it’s just a scrimmage, but even so, we know the boys were giving regular season effort.

8-7 STM final

[JPAtlantic]

Towson- nice stadium, but too big.
Hopkins- nostalgic venue, parking and Baltimore city are awful
Navy- beautiful stadium, stands are on top of the field, ample parking, state capital, patriotic feel

Navy has been the best of the sites thus far.

Loyola could also be a great site in the future.

Towson seats 11,000 and Navy seats 34,000 - but Towson is too big?

What is the most an MIAA championship could draw?

Hopkins seats 8,500, Loyola seats 6,000. UMBC is in the process of upgrading their stadium also. Stevenson's Stadium is really nice also (3,000 seats).

A Baltimore area site would be more convenient to most schools, students, families, friends, etc.

[harcooldie]

Towson- nice stadium, but too big.
Hopkins- nostalgic venue, parking and Baltimore city are awful
Navy- beautiful stadium, stands are on top of the field, ample parking, state capital, patriotic feel

Navy has been the best of the sites thus far.

Loyola could also be a great site in the future.

Towson seats 11,000 and Navy seats 34,000 - but Towson is too big?

What is the most an MIAA championship could draw?

Hopkins seats 8,500, Loyola seats 6,000. UMBC is in the process of upgrading their stadium also. Stevenson's Stadium is really nice also (3,000 seats).

A Baltimore area site would be more convenient to most schools, students, families, friends, etc.

Big as in the feel, not capacity. Poor word choice. Maybe it’s the track at Towson, idk but you just feel far away from the action. Last year at Navy, it felt like you were right on top of the field.

[Jumbo]

USNA is the top site. great location. Easy in and out. Plenty of parking. Lots of options for food while you wait for your game

[Eaglelaxer16]

Towson- nice stadium, but too big.
Hopkins- nostalgic venue, parking and Baltimore city are awful
Navy- beautiful stadium, stands are on top of the field, ample parking, state capital, patriotic feel

Navy has been the best of the sites thus far.

Loyola could also be a great site in the future.

Towson seats 11,000 and Navy seats 34,000 - but Towson is too big?

What is the most an MIAA championship could draw?

Hopkins seats 8,500, Loyola seats 6,000. UMBC is in the process of upgrading their stadium also. Stevenson's Stadium is really nice also (3,000 seats).

A Baltimore area site would be more convenient to most schools, students, families, friends, etc.

Big as in the feel, not capacity. Poor word choice. Maybe it’s the track at Towson, idk but you just feel far away from the action. Last year at Navy, it felt like you were right on top of the field.

I’ve said it here before. US lacrosse in Sparks would be a fantastic venue for the championships.

[Eaglelaxer16]

Big week for conference play this week. McD has St.Mary’s and Hall. Sleeper matchup of the week is Severn and BL. I think BL wins it but Severn is going to make it a game.

[JPAtlantic]

Towson- nice stadium, but too big.
Hopkins- nostalgic venue, parking and Baltimore city are awful
Navy- beautiful stadium, stands are on top of the field, ample parking, state capital, patriotic feel

Navy has been the best of the sites thus far.

Loyola could also be a great site in the future.

Towson seats 11,000 and Navy seats 34,000 - but Towson is too big?

What is the most an MIAA championship could draw?

Hopkins seats 8,500, Loyola seats 6,000. UMBC is in the process of upgrading their stadium also. Stevenson's Stadium is really nice also (3,000 seats).

A Baltimore area site would be more convenient to most schools, students, families, friends, etc.

Big as in the feel, not capacity. Poor word choice. Maybe it’s the track at Towson, idk but you just feel far away from the action. Last year at Navy, it felt like you were right on top of the field.

I’ve said it here before. US lacrosse in Sparks would be a fantastic venue for the championships.

US Lacrosse Hall of Fame would be perfect. The seating is only 2,000. Would that be enough?

The geographic center of all 11 schools is 39.31N and 76.60W which would put it closest to Homewood or M&T Stadium.

The locations should move year to year - otherwise some teams will always have home field advantage (like Duke, UNC, NC State, Wake when the ACC tourney was in Greensboro every year).

It would be seam fair if 8 out of 11 years it would be in Baltimore (Towson, Loyola, Homewood, UMBC, Stevenson) and 3 out of 11 years it would be in Annapolis (Navy). (assuming JC is Baltimore and Spalding is Annapolis).