LaxPower Back-Up Stick

Since 9/1 is just a few days away, and lacrosse media coverage of this class is picking up, it makes sense to have a thread aggregating the info. Here's an IL article with a general overview of how the overall class is viewed by coaches. "Solid but not spectacular" is the four word summary if you don't feel like reading. Interesting that the Covid year (when these kids were 8th graders) is cited as perhaps a reason that their development is behind.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/ ... lass/60187

National Lacrosse Federation posted their #1 player for the class of 2024 - Matt Jeffery from Chesire High (CT). Almost feels like a time machine, and very refreshing, to see a public school/three-sport athlete grab the top spot.

https://nlfrankings.com/nlf-fall-2022-c ... ipse-no-1/

Laxxal22 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 29, 2022 7:12 am National Lacrosse Federation posted their #1 player for the class of 2024 - Matt Jeffery from Chesire High (CT). Almost feels like a time machine, and very refreshing, to see a public school/three-sport athlete grab the top spot.

https://nlfrankings.com/nlf-fall-2022-c ... ipse-no-1/

Congrats to Matt — clearly a very impressive athlete. I mean absolutely no disrespect to him and his peers on the NLF rankings list, but there are some politics with their selections. For example, they do not include a single 3d player in their ‘24 top 60 rankings despite that team being ranked #1 in the country by both Inside Lacrosse and US Club Lacrosse. Here is a link to the NLF ‘24 rankings: https://nlfrankings.com/2024-player-rankings/

And here are the NLF ‘24 team rankings which also do not include 3d:
https://nlfrankings.com/2024-team-rankings/

Well that seems pretty petty. Ty Xanders' list should drop very soon which will provide more perspective. Though you start to wonder if the IL lists (both team and player rankings) start to give more love to those who frequent IL events.

Players 2-10 by NLF. https://nlfrankings.com/nlf-fall-2022-c ... le-colsey/

Can Opener wrote: ↑Mon Aug 29, 2022 9:15 am

Laxxal22 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 29, 2022 7:12 am National Lacrosse Federation posted their #1 player for the class of 2024 - Matt Jeffery from Chesire High (CT). Almost feels like a time machine, and very refreshing, to see a public school/three-sport athlete grab the top spot.

https://nlfrankings.com/nlf-fall-2022-c ... ipse-no-1/

Congrats to Matt — clearly a very impressive athlete. I mean absolutely no disrespect to him and his peers on the NLF rankings list, but there are some politics with their selections. For example, they do not include a single 3d player in their ‘24 top 60 rankings despite that team being ranked #1 in the country by both Inside Lacrosse and US Club Lacrosse. Here is a link to the NLF ‘24 rankings: https://nlfrankings.com/2024-player-rankings/

And here are the NLF ‘24 team rankings which also do not include 3d:
https://nlfrankings.com/2024-team-rankings/

Don’t necessarily disagree with you CO, but the NLF is what it is. They don’t outright state they are discriminating in their rankings, but essentially do with the fact certain teams are part of the NLF https://nationallacrossefederation.com/ and others aren’t. 3D is not an NLF team so doesn’t get recognized. That’s not to say some non NLF teams and players don’t get recognized in NLF rankings but my assumption/opinion is Laxachusetts commands that region and probably “strong arms” NLF to a certain degree.

And also congrats to Matt Jeffery! Love seeing this and his success. Side note, the fact he’s at Cheshire High School leads me to believe he’s not a “re-class” which probably most of the ‘24s in the rankings are. Making it that much more impressive. Don’t know if any of this is accurate, just assumption.

RumorMill wrote: ↑Tue Aug 30, 2022 9:43 pm And also congrats to Matt Jeffery! Love seeing this and his success. Side note, the fact he’s at Cheshire High School leads me to believe he’s not a “re-class” which probably most of the ‘24s in the rankings are. Making it that much more impressive. Don’t know if any of this is accurate, just assumption.

I assume that him being "young" for the class and a three-sport athlete who isn't playing lacrosse 24/7/365 are factored into his potential ceiling for development once he gets on campus and hence the #1 ranking. With how much a lot of lacrosse first (or lacrosse only) kids play, and how many of them seem to work year round with strength & conditioning coaches, a good percentage are probably close to maxing out their skills and physical abilities by the end of high school.

Here are the rest of NLF five stars. Players 11-21. https://nlfrankings.com/nlf-fall-2022-c ... r-ben-fox/

Inside Lacrosse Top 50: https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/ ... ings/60210

Only one 3D NE kid so NLF not having any so far maybe isn't such a conspiracy. Having a bit of background on their players (as there are many MA and ISL kids) I kind of suspected that their success this summer was a sum is greater than the parts scenario.

Laxxal22 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 29, 2022 10:11 am Well that seems pretty petty. Ty Xanders' list should drop very soon which will provide more perspective. Though you start to wonder if the IL lists (both team and player rankings) start to give more love to those who frequent IL events.

Is it marketing, bias, laziness, or human nature?
Yes.

It's no hidden secret that NLF loves NLF teams/players. And IL loves the kids who go to IL events.
Very unlikely either outfit goes outside it's own events/teams and ranks a ton of kids who aren't playing somehow connected to them.
If you want to be recognized by them, you gotta play with them.

kramerica.inc wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 12:37 pm

Laxxal22 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 29, 2022 10:11 am Well that seems pretty petty. Ty Xanders' list should drop very soon which will provide more perspective. Though you start to wonder if the IL lists (both team and player rankings) start to give more love to those who frequent IL events.

Is it marketing, bias, laziness, or human nature?
Yes.

It's no hidden secret that NLF loves NLF teams/players. And IL loves the kids who go to IL events.
Very unlikely either outfit goes outside it's own events/teams and ranks a ton of kids who aren't playing somehow connected to them.
If you want to be recognized by them, you gotta play with them.

Ie Pay to Play.

kramerica.inc wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 12:37 pm

Laxxal22 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 29, 2022 10:11 am Well that seems pretty petty. Ty Xanders' list should drop very soon which will provide more perspective. Though you start to wonder if the IL lists (both team and player rankings) start to give more love to those who frequent IL events.

Is it marketing, bias, laziness, or human nature?
Yes.

It's no hidden secret that NLF loves NLF teams/players. And IL loves the kids who go to IL events.
Very unlikely either outfit goes outside it's own events/teams and ranks a ton of kids who aren't playing somehow connected to them.
If you want to be recognized by them, you gotta play with them.

The top 5s of IL and NLF were nearly identical. The only difference really was IL rightly bumped Duenkel up from #9 to #1. I do get the sense that neither group is just winging it, and that at least at the top a lot of the decisions are weighted heavily on what the college coaches are saying. I don't think both outlets would have a kid like Matt Jeffery -- who is on age and from a relatively unheralded public school that's not in a powerhouse conference -- ranked in the top 2 if the college coaches weren't raving about him.

I think NLF does a good job during the spring HS lacrosse season going to games and writing up the games.

random observer wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 2:05 pm

kramerica.inc wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 12:37 pm

Laxxal22 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 29, 2022 10:11 am Well that seems pretty petty. Ty Xanders' list should drop very soon which will provide more perspective. Though you start to wonder if the IL lists (both team and player rankings) start to give more love to those who frequent IL events.

Is it marketing, bias, laziness, or human nature?
Yes.

It's no hidden secret that NLF loves NLF teams/players. And IL loves the kids who go to IL events.
Very unlikely either outfit goes outside it's own events/teams and ranks a ton of kids who aren't playing somehow connected to them.
If you want to be recognized by them, you gotta play with them.

The top 5s of IL and NLF were nearly identical. The only difference really was IL rightly bumped Duenkel up from #9 to #1. I do get the sense that neither group is just winging it, and that at least at the top a lot of the decisions are weighted heavily on what the college coaches are saying. I don't think both outlets would have a kid like Matt Jeffery -- who is on age and from a relatively unheralded public school that's not in a powerhouse conference -- ranked in the top 2 if the college coaches weren't raving about him.

I would not characterize Cheshire HS as a "relatively unheralded program." They have a state championship (back before classes were installed when it meant something to win a championship) and have been very competitive over the years.

ohmilax34 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 2:45 pm I think NLF does a good job during the spring HS lacrosse season going to games and writing up the games.

That their NLF teams are playing in.

Kismet wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 2:55 pm

random observer wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 2:05 pm

kramerica.inc wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 12:37 pm

Laxxal22 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 29, 2022 10:11 am Well that seems pretty petty. Ty Xanders' list should drop very soon which will provide more perspective. Though you start to wonder if the IL lists (both team and player rankings) start to give more love to those who frequent IL events.

Is it marketing, bias, laziness, or human nature?
Yes.

It's no hidden secret that NLF loves NLF teams/players. And IL loves the kids who go to IL events.
Very unlikely either outfit goes outside it's own events/teams and ranks a ton of kids who aren't playing somehow connected to them.
If you want to be recognized by them, you gotta play with them.

The top 5s of IL and NLF were nearly identical. The only difference really was IL rightly bumped Duenkel up from #9 to #1. I do get the sense that neither group is just winging it, and that at least at the top a lot of the decisions are weighted heavily on what the college coaches are saying. I don't think both outlets would have a kid like Matt Jeffery -- who is on age and from a relatively unheralded public school that's not in a powerhouse conference -- ranked in the top 2 if the college coaches weren't raving about him.

I would not characterize Cheshire HS as a "relatively unheralded program." They have a state championship (back before classes were installed when it meant something to win a championship) and have been very competitive over the years.

I am from CT and am well aware of the program. As recently as 2010 they won Class L and had a legitimate case of being the best team in the state (although I would say Darien would get the nod because of the wins over NC, who beat Cheshire). Even today they remain very competitive in the SWC and Class M. But on the national level, they are absolutely "relatively" unheralded compared to Fairfield County schools like Darien and New Canaan, who have produced more top D1 players and won big games against national powerhouses. Cheshire doesn't have the kind of brand recognition that would engender baseline positive assumptions the way seeing that a kid is from Boys' Latin or Chaminade, or even Darien or Ridgefield would.

Cheshire HS is in the SCC not SWC

kramerica.inc wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 3:01 pm

ohmilax34 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 2:45 pm I think NLF does a good job during the spring HS lacrosse season going to games and writing up the games.

That their NLF teams are playing in.

This is too cynical even for me. If you go to a game between top teams from hotbed leagues/areas there's going to be loads of kids from NLF teams.

random observer wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 3:03 pm

Kismet wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 2:55 pm

random observer wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 2:05 pm

kramerica.inc wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 12:37 pm

Laxxal22 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 29, 2022 10:11 am Well that seems pretty petty. Ty Xanders' list should drop very soon which will provide more perspective. Though you start to wonder if the IL lists (both team and player rankings) start to give more love to those who frequent IL events.

Is it marketing, bias, laziness, or human nature?
Yes.

It's no hidden secret that NLF loves NLF teams/players. And IL loves the kids who go to IL events.
Very unlikely either outfit goes outside it's own events/teams and ranks a ton of kids who aren't playing somehow connected to them.
If you want to be recognized by them, you gotta play with them.

The top 5s of IL and NLF were nearly identical. The only difference really was IL rightly bumped Duenkel up from #9 to #1. I do get the sense that neither group is just winging it, and that at least at the top a lot of the decisions are weighted heavily on what the college coaches are saying. I don't think both outlets would have a kid like Matt Jeffery -- who is on age and from a relatively unheralded public school that's not in a powerhouse conference -- ranked in the top 2 if the college coaches weren't raving about him.

I would not characterize Cheshire HS as a "relatively unheralded program." They have a state championship (back before classes were installed when it meant something to win a championship) and have been very competitive over the years.

I am from CT and am well aware of the program. As recently as 2010 they won Class L and had a legitimate case of being the best team in the state (although I would say Darien would get the nod because of the wins over NC, who beat Cheshire). Even today they remain very competitive in the SWC and Class M. But on the national level, they are absolutely "relatively" unheralded compared to Fairfield County schools like Darien and New Canaan, who have produced more top D1 players and won big games against national powerhouses. Cheshire doesn't have the kind of brand recognition that would engender baseline positive assumptions the way seeing that a kid is from Boys' Latin or Chaminade, or even Darien or Ridgefield would.

Don't forget Staples - #1 public school in the country this past season.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/ ... ings/59976

CT Transplant wrote: ↑Thu Sep 01, 2022 2:12 am Cheshire HS is in the SCC not SWC

Yup, goof on my part. Mea culpa.

FCCTlaxFan wrote: ↑Thu Sep 01, 2022 9:58 am

random observer wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 3:03 pm

Kismet wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 2:55 pm

random observer wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 2:05 pm

kramerica.inc wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 12:37 pm

Laxxal22 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 29, 2022 10:11 am Well that seems pretty petty. Ty Xanders' list should drop very soon which will provide more perspective. Though you start to wonder if the IL lists (both team and player rankings) start to give more love to those who frequent IL events.

Is it marketing, bias, laziness, or human nature?
Yes.

It's no hidden secret that NLF loves NLF teams/players. And IL loves the kids who go to IL events.
Very unlikely either outfit goes outside it's own events/teams and ranks a ton of kids who aren't playing somehow connected to them.
If you want to be recognized by them, you gotta play with them.

The top 5s of IL and NLF were nearly identical. The only difference really was IL rightly bumped Duenkel up from #9 to #1. I do get the sense that neither group is just winging it, and that at least at the top a lot of the decisions are weighted heavily on what the college coaches are saying. I don't think both outlets would have a kid like Matt Jeffery -- who is on age and from a relatively unheralded public school that's not in a powerhouse conference -- ranked in the top 2 if the college coaches weren't raving about him.

I would not characterize Cheshire HS as a "relatively unheralded program." They have a state championship (back before classes were installed when it meant something to win a championship) and have been very competitive over the years.

I am from CT and am well aware of the program. As recently as 2010 they won Class L and had a legitimate case of being the best team in the state (although I would say Darien would get the nod because of the wins over NC, who beat Cheshire). Even today they remain very competitive in the SWC and Class M. But on the national level, they are absolutely "relatively" unheralded compared to Fairfield County schools like Darien and New Canaan, who have produced more top D1 players and won big games against national powerhouses. Cheshire doesn't have the kind of brand recognition that would engender baseline positive assumptions the way seeing that a kid is from Boys' Latin or Chaminade, or even Darien or Ridgefield would.

Don't forget Staples - #1 public school in the country this past season.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/ ... ings/59976

Of course not forgetting them -- I've been championing the Wreckers quite a bit the last couple of years! But the average fan from Long Island or Baltimore may not have heard of Staples the way they may have heard of Darien/NC/Ridgefield/Wilton, who have had more sustained success and more high level recruits over the years. By virtue of being in the FCIAC Staples gets a little bit of that notoriety, but they've definitely been lower profile than those four. Winning the state title in dominant fashion and being named the #1 public school in the nation this year certainly is going to skyrocket their profile though, and I expect under Koshansky they are going to be one of the top programs in the state going forward.