Local lacrosse players compete in North-South All-Star games

After years of hopes, dreams and, at times, a little frustration, the high schools that field lacrosse teams in the Palmetto State finally got their north-south all-star games.

 

Socastee High School hosted the first-ever event May 13 and the Daniel Island schools were well represented with Evelyn Kitchin and Leslie Wysong from Bishop England and Zhaire Mack and Mallory Holleman from Philip Simmons landing spots on the team.

 

The South, coached by BE’s Jeff Weiner and assisted by Lucy Beckham’s Brook Black, posted a 16-10 over the North as Kitchin led the South stars with five goals.

 

The South boys posted a 11-4 victory in a game that included Brian Noone and Riley Finlayson of Bishop England and Andrew McQuade of Philip Simmons.

 

“We’ve been trying to do this for a few years,” Weiner said. “We had to get this through the lacrosse coaches association and then had to run it by the South Carolina Coaches Association to get their OK. It was a matter of getting our ducks in a row.”

 

Weiner came to the Lowcountry more than a decade ago from the lacrosse hotbed of Long Island, New York, and helped spread the sport in the Lowcountry and across the Palmetto State by holding clinics and coaching select travel squads. He has seen his work pay off as the sport continues to grow by leaps.

 

“The proof is in the pudding,” Weiner said. “We now have more girls playing lacrosse in college than ever before.”

 

Weiner pointed out that two of his former players are in that group, and they had great success in the just-completed academic year.

 

Emma Pizzo, one of the best female high school lacrosse players in state history, competed in the NCAA Division I lacrosse playoffs as a member of the Mercer Bears while Grace Ann Carlson participated in the NCAA Division III lacrosse playoffs as a member of the MIT Engineers. Both players were captains of their teams.

 

LACROSSE ALL-STATE

 

The South Carolina High School Lacrosse Coaches Association announced its all-state teams and Bishop England dominated the selections with 10 players making the Class AAAA team.

 

The Bishops’ first team selections on the girls’ squad included Leslie Wysong, Henley Bredemann, Evelyn Kitchin and Bo Rosato. Nini Clark was a second team selection.

 

Riley Finlayson was a first-team selection on the boys’ team while Michael Ugan, Jack Lavelle, Zach Cubelto and J.J. Romano were second team picks.

 

Philip Simmons’ Zhaire Mack, Hannah Peterson and Mallory Holleman were second team All-State selections for Philip Simmons.

 

SOCCER ALL-STATE

 

The South Carolina Soccer Coaches Association announced its all-state boys’ and girls’ teams and the Daniel Island schools are well represented.

 

In Class AAA, Philip Simmons’ Morgan Davis of Philip Simmons made the girls’ all-state team.

 

Tucker Sprofera, Riley Beard and Ty’Sun Mack-Davis were the Iron Horse selections on the boys’ team.

 

Bishop England’s success on the pitch resulted in six student-athletes earning all-state recognition in Class AA.

 

Emma Darnell, Georgie Collins and Kristjana Deveau made the girls’ team.

 

Easton Khouri, Connor Craig and Brady Coupe made the Class AA boys’ team.