With a weather advisory for Northern Westchester in effect until  10 a.m. today, it’s uncertain as we right this whether or not the much-awaited scrimmage between national powers Darien and John Jay, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in Cross River, will go on today as scheduled. But check back for updates.

Meantime, there’s a full slate of games that have a much better chance of getting played in Long Island.

More on that in a minute.

But first, a quick programming note.

Our preseason tristate regional HS preview segments continue on the 6 p.m. edition of MSG Varsity’s “High School SportsDesk” today (Thursday, March 24) on Channel 14 with the Connecticut preview.

We launched the previews on Tuesday by focusing on Long Island. You can check out that video now by clicking here.

On Wednesday, we took a look at the top teams, players and games in Connecticut. You can watch that preview by clicking here.

The Hudson Valley preview airs today, Westchester on Friday (March 25), New York City (next Tuesday, March 29) and New Jersey (next Friday, April 1).

If you miss the 6 p.m. premiere of each day’s show, you can catch a repeat at 9 p.m.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Here’s a look at what is scheduled — and we emphasize the word scheduled — for today. Be sure to check back throughout the day, as always, for weather updates.

Here’s a rundown.

Hauppauge at Middle Country, 4 p.m.
Calhoun at Mepham, 4:15 p.m.
Syosset at South Side at Skelos Field, 4:15 p.m.
Plainedge at Half Hollow Hills East, 4:15 p.m.
Commack at Malverne, 4:30 p.m.
Commack at Malverne, 4:30 p.m.
Plainview-JFK at Bethpage, 4:30 p.m.
Valley Stream Central at Great Neck North, 4:30 p.m.
Mineola at Roslyn, 4:30 p.m.
Harborfields at Walt Whitman, 4:45 p.m.
Kennedy Bellmore at MacArthur at Division HS, Levittown, 4:45 p.m.
Friends Academy at Oceanside, 7 p.m.
Island Trees at Division, Levittown, 7 p.m.

In another scrimmage slated for today, North Salem and Fox Lane will be at Arlington at 5:15 p.m.

* Updates *

*   Darien-John Jay scrimmage is on for 4:45 p.m. at John Jay. There will be 15-minute running quarters, with five minutes between quarters.

* The three-way scrimmage at Arlington is also on and should start around 5 p.m.

Final scores

Syosset 11, South Side 7

Whitman 12, Harborfields 9

Commack 15, Malverne 4

Middle Country 12, Hauppauge 6

Bethpage 22, Plainview-JFK 5

Half Hollow Hills East 15, Plainedge 2

LAXLESSONS Links

MSG Varsity coverage

Preseason previews:

* Click here for the Long Island preview

* Click here for the Connecticut preview

* Click here for the Hudson Valley preview

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* Recruit profile archive

* For a list of committed players with their profiles up, click here.

* To get your profile up, click here.

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Posted In: Fairfield lacrosse, fciac, Gameday, Section 1, Section 11, Section 8

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63 Responses to “Gameday Thursday, 3/24: Darien-John Jay scrimmage is on”

  1. Lax Novice says:

    Thankfully the storm turned out to be a minor nuisance and the weather for this afternoon will be in the 40’s and sunny. No reason for the show not to go on, weather wise.

    I’m anticipating competitive sloppy play, after which everyone can shake hands and get on with the business of preparing for the regular season, where the games count, and the post-season, where reputations are made.

    Good luck to all.

  2. Blue White says:

    Where’s the vitriol?

    • Lax Novice says:

      No vitriol necessary when other people aren’t making outlandish claims or putting far too much emphasis into what is our 4th day of practice, no? Whatever the score might be means nothing, who guards who means nothing. You gain what you can from playing someone other than your own team, and you hope no one on either side gets hurt.

      While we’re at it, if there are actual officials working the scrimmage, let’s give them a break and remember its preseason for them too.

  3. Joe Lombardi says:

    Hey gang – Just got word today’s Darien-John Jay scrimmage is on for 4:45 p.m. at John Jay. There will be 15-minute running quarters, with five minutes between quarters.

  4. Joe Lombardi says:

    The three-way scrimmage at Arlington is also on and should start around 5 p.m.

  5. Lax n stuff says:

    Soooo … how did the John Jay/Darien scrimmage go? Any insights from those there would be great!

  6. Messenger says:

    Jay got handled, 13-3

  7. Home of the Braves says:

    Syosset 11, South Side 7 …

    Big confidence builder before playing Sachem North

  8. Joe says:

    Hills East over plainedge 15-2

  9. mickey says:

    Kennedy 11 Ossining 9

    Kennedy looked much improved from last year.

  10. justlaxin says:

    No Daniello….just a scrimmage everyone….the sky isnt falling…but still interesting…..Darien for sure is real good though…noone doubted that with the returning upperclassmen…

  11. Laxerr says:

    On the bright side JJ defense did a nice job against Case Matheis.

  12. Indian J says:

    Can someone who was at the scrimmage ( Jay v Darien) verify messenger’s post? If that is the case, all bets are off on John Jay. Only scoring three goals and letting in 13 like that ? Clarification is needed.

  13. ronny says:

    I thought daniello was going to play

  14. worelock says:

    Yea like 10 more. School House where are you now?

  15. laxr says:

    JJ-Darien scrimmage:

    The score was 10-1 at the half w/ starters. And Matheis had 5 goals, so i’m not sure the JJ defense really did a great job on him. Obviously this is just a scrimmage, and not having Daniello or Morris right now hurts. JJ offense was not that bad, but they shot terribly — they will come around especially when they are healthy. I’d say the defense is probably more of a concern right now.

    • HV Lax says:

      Congrats to Darien. Though just a scrimmage they sound like they have it all. I remember a few weeks back Joe said Darien was the best team in the tri state and even ranked them #1 in his Lacrosse Magazine Northeast preview. In fairness, John Jay without Daniello would be like BYU without Jimmer Fredette.

      • laxr says:

        Nice analogy, although I’m not sure any athlete in America right now means more to his team than Jimmer.

  16. Indian J says:

    Ok, well if you had to estimate then, would say that they scored 10 more? 8 more? 6 more? It makes a difference in terms of understanding the contest. How was the general competition when both sides were playing most of their would be starters? Although Daniello did not play, I’m not sure that this would negate the accuracy of this scrimmage result. Could we not assume that Darien will improve beyond where they are at their fourth day of practice ? Ughh.

  17. dadyo says:

    Great job Kennedy nice first scrimmage today. 11-9 Catholic boys v. Ossining

  18. LacrosseInsider says:

    I was there, the score sounds accurate. John Jay played very sloppy. Darien looked much crisper, faster, stronger and more aggressive. I think it was 6-1 after the first 15 minutes. Jay was playing without Daniello, regardless, Darien looked really good. Case is the real deal, super quick and scored a bunch. Not sure who said “at least the D covered Case” no way, the kid looked awesome.

    The positive for Jay, they have some things to work on and it was an early season scrimmage. Getting Daniello back will help but they need to get sharper…will come with time.

    LAX is back baby!!

  19. laxr says:

    I know it’s a scrimmage, and I know Daniello was out, but I find it hard to believe that the factors you listed could completely negate the gap seen today.

  20. CT Lax says:

    Who else did well on offense besides Case?

  21. CircLax says:

    How did the goalies look for Jay and Darien?

  22. will S. says:

    Also remember it was running 15 minute quarters and they scored 10 goals in a half

  23. will S. says:

    who scored for jj?

  24. Section1fan says:

    Who started in the net for Jay Duffy or Branca? Did they split time similar to last years goalie situation and who played better?

  25. just lax says:

    When starters were in Darien by far the better team,theyplayed harder faster and didnt mind giving a big hit.Daniello plays with starters score 12 4.And as far as them holding Case Down,he blew by there did like they were not out there.One take on LAMBERT was very impresive just blew by him.It may have been a couple times he did that To Jack.But like everyone says it was a scrimmage(haha).Good luck to both teams in coming season.

  26. jeffreyp says:

    Mike Lupinacci, Brendan Morris, and Doug Brown scored for JJ, Duffy started and didn’t have one save, Branca played the second half and looked very solid. No doubt Darien was the better team, but i dont think they’re 10 goals better, john jay had four starters not playing today. I think Branca will be the starter against Yorktown.

  27. Fox Lax-There needs to be an Investigation says:

    Easy SirLaxalot, with the darien is the top team in the nation. There are many teams out of PA(Haverford, Conestoga, LaSalle, etc) and Maryland( Calvert Hall, Boys Latin) that would handle Darien fairly easily.

    • Old Rugger says:

      I think Darien would give those teams a run for the money. They are the real deal just like Joe picked.

      • Lax Novice says:

        Let’s hope so, we’re playing Haverford on April 16th. In the previous two seasons that the Wave have participated in the Checking for Cancer event there, the team has gotten off to horrific starts only to rally in the 2nd half, too little too late. Perhaps the 3rd time will be the charm. More importantly we’ll have played Greenwich and Wilton before then, league games which are much more important in the grand plan.

        I’m also told that the big scrimmage Darien has tomorrow vs. IL #7 Salibury School will be held under the lights at Yale’s Reese Field (next door to the Yale Bowl) at 7pm.

  28. LAXX says:

    Wow – that is rough being without four starters. Sounds like it may have been even if even was healthy?

  29. will S. says:

    see here is what is the problems with the jj folks they have excuses. Yorktown would just say we got thumped and move on.

  30. relax says:

    What above the face offs? How did they measure up?

  31. Laxwell Smart says:

    What a shame the teams can’t play at full strength this year. Would’ve been a good game I’m sure.

  32. Laxtime says:

    Beck and Morris will still be out vs Town. Daniello is likely but who knows? Could we have an upset???

  33. randy frazer says:

    how did Forrest Walter not score this kid is a stud?

  34. NYmike says:

    Oh, there was a score kept – in the heads of the player and coaches.

  35. laxinit says:

    Hi all,

    I was at the scrimmage, Darien was better all around. On O, Darien did do a great job distributing and had outstanding shot selection. On D they were stout. It has to be said that Jay’s D did an OK job as a unit, surrendering 11 against Darien I’d say is on par with the “averages” but Jays offense was pathetic, they looked lost without Daniello, and Walter, Weil and Chen were not good today, they shot terribly and looked like they needed Daniello to take pressure off of them.

    Branca I thought picked it up when he went in. For the 1st 15 minutes he was playing with the first liners and he made 3 saves right off the bat, 2 on Mattheis, both point blank reaction saves. He had 7 or 8 saves on the day as well. If I had to guess, Id say Branca won the starting job this afternoon, but Jay plays Delbarton on Saturday so only time will tell.

    • laxman says:

      Sums it up pretty much, only thing i thought (and this is my opinion) is that jj offense didn’t necessarily do that bad but their shot selection was awful and when they did get a shot it was an easy or good save for the keeper. Didn’t seem to get any quality shots in close which you need against a team like Darien. Saturday should be a good key for jj dont know if Daniello will play?

  36. Lion town says:

    looking forward to WI vs Darien on saturday

  37. South of 287 says:

    Darien is the real deal. JJ would need all there players present and some who are no longer where the purple to have a chance in reg season game. Darien is just stacked plus great coaching – or do those go hand-in-hand?

    Delbarton had a down year last season, interesting to see what they bring to the table.

  38. Laxtime says:

    Will be interesting to see how JJ does against Delbarton on Saturday

  39. laxified says:

    Can’t we at least wait until they play Set to say they are the top team in the in the area ? JJ in consistently the most overrated team in the area if not the country and against Duvnjak last year Matheis basically vanished.

    • Blue White says:

      Not to mention Haverford and St. Anthony’s, they’ll have plenty of opportunities to be anointed.

      Great program

  40. Doid23 says:

    Is Delbarton a scrimmage? How about WI – Darien? I believe that they both are, but just checking.

    I was one who always wished that Jay-Darien played a regular season game, but I’m actually starting to like it as a scrimmage. I mean, how many other scrimmages can get 67 comments? And it always gets the juices going from the fans, and I bet it also does a great job of getting the kids ready for the season. Since Jay no longer participates in the Hand (anyone know why?), it’s a tradition that’s starting to grow on me, despite this years drubbing.

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