By Ron Miller
Nick Jardone of Gulf CoastFor the lax fanatics and players from Southwest Florida, this is not news. The rest of the state (outside of the club coaches) now knows what we have known here for a long time. Naples kids can play. When they played together (Beast Lacrosse) they were a tough out for anyone and won numerous tournaments together. As they grew up they went to different schools, but continued to play together on clubs (Team Florida, Beast, Madlax, etc). These kids know each other. There is no hatred involved. There is an intense rivalry between the two North Naples schools that cannot be denied. Barron Collier (16-1) has owned SWFL lacrosse for the last 8 years. Sending numerous kids to play in college and ex DI College/Pro players coaching the Cougars, they have set the standard. Gulf Coast (17-2) has had a solid programs for years as well. As they have found consistency in their coaching, they have risen to battle for the top spot.Barron has loads of weapons with scorers (Mike O’dea, Austin Miller, Jake Telitz, Drew Goodrich, Beckett Hagland, Matt Hobdan, Sean Nash, Omar Bisr, etc…) who can score from all over the field and create match-up problems everywhere. Offensively, Gulf Coast is led Bo Garrison, Sterling Desourcy and Jordan Briggs. They are top level players, who can and should play in college. Matt Hobdin led BC in scoring in upset win over STADefensively both teams are excellent. Barron Collier’s 2.35 GAA sets the standard for the State (Teams with more than 2 games) Michael Nathan, Trey Suddeth and Sam Hoover are the poles with Speedy LSM Ben Beatty in front of tender Zach Woods. GC has its own solid D with Goalie Nick Jardone is having a great year. Poles, Noah Cucuinni and Gage Ryan provide strong support.
Key matchup: Bo Garrison vs Pat Mahoney/Dylan Miller/Sean Nash. BC has three Faceoff Specialists and Garrison is strong in the circle. Possessions matter in this game as Gulf Coast tries to do what no Sharks team has ever done before….beat Barron Collier.
