Finding room for improvement may be difficult in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
With a bevy of talented players and teams, staying atop the ranks ? let alone climbing them ? has become a difficult task.
“Idon?t think it?s going out on a limb to say it?s the most competitive and deepest lacrosse league in the country,” Gilman coach Brooks Matthews said. “You don?t get a break. Twice a week, you?re preparing to play the best.”
Matthews and Gilman will look to improve on an 8-2 record in MIAA play and catch up with Boys? Latin, which went undefeated in 2005.
“We don?t have any superstars. The kids know that and are OK with that,” Matthews said. “Everyone is going to have to put forth their best.”
While Gilman will look to catch Boys? Latin, St. Mary?s is hoping to continue surging forward. The team won an MIAA title back in the 1996 season, but there have been six other teams to hoist a championship banner since that season.
“Where we are in the league, we have to keep playing good defense, and if we can mature offensively, we?ll be pretty good,” St. Mary?s coach Matt Hogan said.
He guards against putting extra importance on any game, particularly because the difference between the top and bottom of the MIAA A Conference is so slim. And he doesn?t believe coaches in the league need to motivate players.
“Anyone on our schedule is a good team,” Hogan said. “There shouldn?t have to be motivation.”
2006 CHAMPIONS
MPSSAA
» 2A-1A: Loch Raven
» 3A-2A: Mount Hebron
» 4A-3A: Severna Park
MIAA
» A Conference: Boys? Latin
» B: St. Vincent Palotti
» C: Chapelgate Christian
